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
a great deal of foolishness written upon
this subject. And / 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 a
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 l was with u
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 a
flask OF whisky, or deck Of cards, but it
was a Bible. | could not help feeling my
heart go out to him when saw it.
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse
his way, by taking heed thereunto, ac-
cordng 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 loftiest 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 were 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
other book. Read the Gospel Of st.
Mathew right through. Study the cir
cumstances, 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, atfec
tionably, as a message from your Father
There is nothing that will help you sc
much. 1t will makesyou better, happier
stronger, Drawer. 1t will become YOU
dearest and most intimate friend. Ant
when at last the hair is white and the eye
dim and hand and heart and brain are
weary with life journey, the Bible viii
be as tender and sympathetic as t
mother.
And when later you lie down on you
dying bed, the Bible will be your minis
tering angel. Other books will lool
coldly down from the shelves. Shakes
peare will in vain attempt to divert yot
with his dramas, as Byron with his son
nets, Sheridan with his speeches, anC
Dickens and Scott with their stories, bu
the Bible will draw very near your bed
and take you by the hand and speal
words OF encouragement and consolation
and prepare you for that World where W,
will have to study no more, for there W,
shall see face to face, and know even a
we are also known.