Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-01-21

| VNOCuSs
At the Central church last night. Rey.
A. B. Meldrum took for his subject: us
the Bible the Revelation Man Needs?"
the text being II Peter 1:19:
"a light that shineth in a dark place"
Mr.. Meldrum opened by giving brief
resume of the discourse Of the previous
Sabbath evening on the subject: "Does
Man Need Supernatural Revelation j"
1--WE demonstra ted" said the speaker,
mans need of a supernatural revelation
| in order TO solve the numerous vexing
questions that crowd upon his mind,
and with regard 20 which nature is silent
and the answers of reason speculative
and uncertain. In the absence of such q
revelation there 8 nothing on earth to
aid or cheer the struggling soul in those
seasons when ignorance is woe. and doubt
is anguish and when reason nsuseates the
mysteries of science. Tonight the ques-
ton before US is this: as the Bible the
revelation man eedsf Is 1t suited to his
necessitiesr
l. Apart from the bible we are left in
| ignorance rs to he nature and character
of that God whose existence nature so
strongly attests, and as to the relations
we sustain TO 81 m, and He to us. The
God of the man who denies the bible must
be an unknown God. who if worshipped
| at all must be ''ignorantly worshipped."
| When the longing soul exclaims "What
| is this God whose existence is demons
strated by the works of nature around
me2" the bible comes to the souls relief
and in It's answer the soul is satisfied.
| When the soul burdened with the con-
seriousness of sin cries out: How shall
my sin be forgivens This book responds
THE Lord God is merclful and gracious
etc" But the God who made tue world
is surely worthy the souls homage. How
shall the soul render to Him acceptable
Worship Again from the pages of this
book we hear the snswer. When ye
pray, say "Our Father, who art in hea>
ven" To all Of these vexing questions
that present themselves with regard to
the character of God, and our relation =
ship to Him, this bible brings an answer
that is satisfactory to the agitsted soul,
and which when trusted, in bring cheer
fuluess and hope to the enquiring mind.
2. Apart from the bible we are left in
darkness and doubt as TO the doctrine OF
Immortality. There has never been G
time in the history of man, so far as we
know, when there has not been at least
u vague general belief that the soul SUI,
wives the death of the body; but when
philosophers have eEdeavored TO prove
this doctrine By argument, they have had
but little reason to congratulate thsm-
selves on their success. Socrates himself
than whom no one ever argued more
dogmstically on this anxious topic, died
in doubt as To- the very doctrine he had
spent his days in laboring to prove
When the ded lotions of reason have been
carried tC their extreme conclusion, we
still find a sus piciOn in the human mind
that calls for more authoritative answer
TO the sll-absorbing query: IF a man
die, shall he live agsin?" Just at that
point where reason comes to an abrupt
termination. and natures book is Closed
the bible takes up the theme. and with
no uncertain sound tells man of q life be
| 1puu luC Rldft, anu III iui IISht vi lts
declarations. life here and hereafter is nc
longer an lnekplicable enigma, but ra-
diant and glorious hope.
8. There is most striking cOngtuity
between the human soul with It's vast
capacities for knowledge and enjoyment
with its ceaseless lonoings after what is
great and true and good, and this book
with its revelation of infinite greatness
absolute truth and supreme good
The CORES ondence is as of the
echo TO the sound; the respiratory
organs to the vital airs; as OF
the shape OF the key to the wards of the
lock; as of the eye to beauty, the ear TO
harmony and the heart to love. This
book with all its truth and sanctions
consultations and gifts is addressed to the
soul of man and the soul of man with al
its instincts, capacities, desires and needs
responds to this book.
4. There is not an experience of
human life that does not impart addl-
tiOnal significance to the christian scrip
lures. As il speaks. care smoothes its
wrinkled brow, pain forgets his agony,
age shakes OF the burden Of years. sor'
row dries her tears, and the dying sufferer
seems to catch echoes from the music of
the golden harps ringing with the pathos
of loves last farewell, The bible has
slain the enmity of the human heart. 1t
has disarmed persecution and malice by
the stronger power of love. 1t has
evoked the sublimest illustrations of
moraLheroism and generous self-denial
and large he arted charity that have ever
enriched the story of the past
The bible has been the strength OF the
worlds strongest men. There Is not an
institution Of humanity or benevolence
that is not indebted to the bible. 1t has
leavened Legislation; it has nurtured
schools. colleges, asylums and hospitals;
it has furnished the wstchwords and
notices that have kindled into enthus
iasm the hearts of the men whose names
the world snail never cease to honor
Through literature. moral reform and all
industrial enterprise it's spirit has gone
abroad. To everything that makes this
world a place tit to live in we are indebted
to This book-this book Of books-the
bible.