Thomas County cat., 1886-08-12
THE BIBLE IN CIVILIZATION.

cial, Intellectual and Political Influence.
Travellers tell US that in traversing
some of our great Southwestern prairies
there will occasionally appear to them,
amid the dreary wilderness. in summer,
of faded flowers and withered grasses,
beautiful and refreshing oasis, and
upon examining into the origin of it, it
will be found that it has been produced
by subterranean stream which sends
up its moisture through gravel and
shale. What that stream is to that belt
of prairie is the Bible to true, genuine
civilization-its hidden and unappreci-
ated, but efficient and unfailing source
of verdure and beauty. Its principles.
its virtues, its atmosphere, its glory,
lay the basis and erect the superstruct-
ure of the best social and national life
Compare Channings' strong testimony
here. Not to art or science, culture or
education, but to the word of God.
Europe and America are indebted for
their grand and noble advancement in
those elements that give character to
society and firm abiding basis to ma
tional existence. And in our age this
truth needs emphatic enforcement.
Latter-day philosophers talk otherwise.
1t is contended by some that the Bible
excites fear, paralyzes inquiry, i'm
pedes freedom of thought and speech,
resists science, etc. AS contradictory to
this position recall Bacon and Locke in
philosophy; Miller, Dana, Cuvier in
science; Calico, kepler and Newton in
astronomical studies; Milton, Dante,
Scott and Addison in literature; Mo-
zart, Hadyn, Handel and Beethoven in
music; Raphael, Leonardo and Angelo
in art; Washington, Kent. Garfield,
and Gladstone in craftsmanship.
Truly has Robertson said: Expand
the heart and you enlarge the intel
lect." Even Schleiermachcr declared
that to abolish the Bible is to pluck up by
the root all that is grandest and noblest
IN truest civilization. The testimony on
this subject of Bacon, Boiingbroke and
Rosseau is remarkable. The Bible is
the great civilizer and educator of hui
manity-a charter of rights and lib
critics as well as an oracle of faith and
manual of devotion. In substantial
ton of this position look at the part
played by the Bible in mans life from
three distinct standpoints: socially, in
tellectually and politically.
SOciaLig-Look at family life where
the Bible has not been, and where it
has breathed its vital breath. Com
pare pictures by Maurice and Farrar of
Roman life before Christ and since
the position OF women and childhood,
for instance. Look at philanthropy in
Bible lands. Where Rome had amphi-
theaters for perpetration Of murder in
eladiatorial contests, Christian lands
have asylums. hospitals. etc. Note
that the Latin word humanitas and
Greek word agape have taken new
meanings in Bible lands. The iron
age of misanthropy has been changed
into the golden age of philanthropy by
the Bibles influence.
Webster and Newton says about the
Bibles literary elements and influence
Study Genesis history, Levitlcus' law.
Jobs poetry, the narratives of Ruth
and the evangelists. The Justinian
code was founded on the Mosaic law
Moses supplies materials for Paradise
Lost" Scott got his Rebekah in
'Ivanhoc, probably, from the Bible.
Wycliffe's influence is seen in ..Canter-
bury Tales" The age of the Reforma-
ton is the palmiest age Of European
literature. Bunyan's progress"
Dante's "Inferno," Attempts "Imi-
ration.' Byron's Hebrew Melodies"
Rurns' 'Cotter's Saturday Night" and
parts of Tennyson's I'm Memoriam."
ara from the Bible. So in science.
Though not scientific book, the Bible
has helped to mold scientific thought
In Bible lands we find the names Locke,
Leibuitz. Newton, Pascal. Linnaus,
Morse. Herschel. DAWN Bible lands,
Titan. Raphael. Angelo,
Ghiberti, and such masterpieces as st.
Panls, st. Peters, the Vatican; also
the greatest pieces of sculpture and
painting.
lpotitseally-The Bible, though not
political work. is great political pow
er. Read what Mills, Macaulay, MAJ
zini and Gladstone say. Tal1eyrand
said scornfully but truly: "The Bible
is the grain of musk that has perfumed
all Europe" The Bible will yet destroy
the bighting influence of intemper-
ance, polygamy. rationalism, vile liter
ature. Love it, defend it. preach it; if