Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-10-18

tellectual to be Christians. There is
really no contradiction between science
and religion. Each has its distinct field
of work. The harm is done by scientists
meddling with theology, and thologians
meddling with science. Indeed, think
more harm has been done to the Christ
ian religion by its foolish friends than its
enemies. There is vast deal OF trash
among religious books. Everybody
writes about religion now. They must
do it. Novels discuss theology, and
newspapers publish sermons. There is a
| deep unrest and ferment in mems minds
that must be satisfied. And so there is
q great deal of foolishness written upon
this subject. And l suspect religious
trash is the worst kind of trash, and the
worst reading we can do. There are so
many really great religious books, so
| many literary gems, so much that is
eloquent and thoughtful and honest and
liberal and manly, that it does seem
pity for young man to get his religious
notions from some wild, ingenious fellow
| who is trying to create sensation and
say something startling. Do not read
any religious trash.
But let me say one word about The
Book. Do you, young men, read the
Bible? A few years ago | was with
party of young men on the Kaudiyohi
river, who had come out from st. Paul to
shoot ducks. One of them opened his
valise to get some cartridges, and
something fell out. 1t was not
flask of whisky, or deck of cards, but it
was Bible. could not help feeling my
heart 60 out to him when l saw it.
Wherewithal shall young man cleanse
his way, by taking heed thereunto, ac-
cording to thy word" | think the
greatest mistake any man can make in
the reading line is to neglect his Bible. |
Even as literary production there is no
such book, the most ancient history, the |
sublimest poetry, the Hottest philosophy, |
the sweetest stories, the purest morals, |
the most perfect style, the most exalted |
doctrines, and the profoundest truths.
And yet perhaps this book, studied |
and loved by so many, is dull to you. 1t
must be because you have not read it
Alright. Perhaps you read it from habit
when you We're sleepy or tired. Perhaps
you looked through chapter with your
eyes when your thoughts were afar off.
Try to read it as you would read an
OluOI UOOh. heau TIE gospel OF OF.
Mathew right through Study the cir
the author, the readers, the
time, live again at Old Rome or Corwith
and in the days of St. Paul, and then
read through the Epistle to the Romans
and see if your heart will not burn.
Read the Bible when you are well and
awake, read it honestly, faithfully, affec-
tionably, as message from your Father
There is nothing that will help you so
much. 1t will make:you better, happier,
stronger, Drawer 1t will become your
learest and most intimate friend. And
when at last the hair is white and the eye
linn and hand and heart and brain are
weary with LIES journey, the Bible will
be as tender and sympathetic as a
mother
And when later you lie down on your
lying bed, the Bible will be your minis
ering angel. Other books will look
oddly down from the shelves. Shakes
oeare will in vain attempt to divert you
with his dramas, as Byron with his SON
nets, Sheridan with his speeches, and
Dickens and Scott with their stories, but
he Bible will draw very near your bed,
Ind take you by the hand and speak
words OF encouragement and consolation
md prepare you for that World where we
will have to study no more, for there we !
hall see face to face, and know even as
We are also known.