Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-03-18
How they study the Bible.
By Lewis A. Bo~den.

and IIch ailKe. IL Is the only book
that gives abiding comfort to the
sick, the weary and broken hearted;
that can satisfy the need of those
who hunger for the knowledge of
God, and supply the wants of those
who seek after his righteousness.
Yet there is no book in the wide
world so much misrepresented and
misunderstood as the Bible. This
man and the other have different
ideas concerning its precepts and
doctrines. Now, all this diversity
Of opinion and misrepresentation is
the outcome Of unsystematic and
ouesided study. In the first place,
then what is meant by unsystematic
study
There are not few persons who
are prone to take advantage Of
certain portions of scripture as all
sufficient proofs of their preconceiv-
ed notions, which when arranged,
they call theology. Single passages
AND those passages, perhaps, taken
out of their proper connection~seem
to be of more weight in their estima-
sion, on doctrinal points, the revolu-
tion taken as whole. Now, views
arising In such a manner are any
,hing but just. If man in these
times desires to be popular, must
necessarily suit his doctrinal views
to this denomination or that, and be
led thereby in order to live Such
a person is called orthodox, because
he defends the principles of reign
ing clergy or few cturchmen, Of
times, without having the moral
courage to be himself, handling tie
purse like Judas, but lacking the
.nanliness to hang himself
Now man who desires to know
the truth, in its entirety, must lay
himself oct for investigation, and
seek to judge Of things from Gods
standpoint. In doing this he will
clearly perceive, not only that there
is no room in the whole domain of
truth for such diversity of opinions,
but that the prevalent system he has
helped to nurse is next to being a
picus fraad And yet more, he will
learn that the greater part Of those
doctrines, so prominently held up to
the people, have originated in spirit
paganism formerly and now found
In what Protestants cali Roman vag-
aries. 70 say the very least of SO
called Protest. nism, it nourishes
many notions which are drawn from
tho paps Of T ONE. Tn fact [ am
sorry to say that there are portions
Of the Protestant church to day fall
ing back, because their principles
are but gleanings from the council
OF Trent and the dark ages. Some
of their proceedings are more popish
than popery itself. They seem to
constitute sort Of Protestant les
uitism. Us the second place, great
evils arise from one sided study.
10 other words, there are certain
doctrines advanced by some party
which are held out as all sufficient.
10 those, as Il matter Of profound
reverence for party or church, you
are expected to submit. No ques-
lion5 are to be asked as 10 their
authenticity or argument with the
Divine will. This spirit Of bigotry
predominates everywhere outside as
well as inside Of Rome. Al! parties
are ready to exclaim: GLOW dare
yon Tejnoce tue landmarks aehich our
FATHERS haze set !" In this way the
majority of people fall back upon
this denomination or that for refuge,
giving, as their only ground for
accepting such views that their
fathers and mothers believed 50 and
therefore they must he right Ia
short they have become church
slaves instead Of Gods freemen. The
greatest part Of tlo'e who
Hrc to-day the channels for
teaching those doctrines, are the
echoes Of the old schools schools
which in modern times have become
popular dining halls, and drawing
rooms, treasurers of money exchang-
ers, and lectures stands of contro
yersy for gain and power instead of
channels through which should flow
the truth of God. This is the sort
Of study that has been carried on by
those who profess to be expositors
Of Gods word May | ask ques
ton Just here In how far are those