The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-11-27
A VOICE FROM IOWA.
Some Conclusions Drawn From "A COntem-
pIation of Bible Truths.


Some Conclusions Drawn From a Contem-
pIation of Bible Truths.
II. l.. c.. FRIENDs-After a long separa-
ton 1 come to meet you in your new
quarters, and under different circum-
stances.
wish 70 greet each member and reader
with kind words and thoughts, hoping to
be inspired by love and truth, so that l
may encourage brothers and sisters of the
human family, in the battle of life, to
cleave and trust to that power that is
higher and greater than man. 1t is the
source of all creation, all wisdom and
knowledge; all love and truth; all light
and goodness; all virtue and honor; all
glory and beauty; all humanity and ami
mated life, and everything that is grand
and glorious in the solar system. The
great and vast universe is the work of a
wonderful and mysterious Maker and Gre
ator, whose ways and works are past find
ing out by the children of men. When we
look to the blue dome in the skies on
a starry night we stand in awe
at the beauty and grandeur that no living
being can describe or comprehend. Finite
minds cannot understand how the mighty
NOlhS VI NICulttn GdliiC 44liO lllt bl Sltiu VI
worlds, where order must prevail TO all
eternity. The book Of nature is open to
the study of all mankind through all gen.
erations, aid still our race is thronged
with mystery. Men and women of science
and art have done much to enlighten our
dark minds, but the more we learn, the
more we realize how little we know of
things small and great.
In this day and age of the world we are
surrounded by the most skillful inven-
tons known to our race. Our civilization,
the arts and sciences have progressed as
never before, and the genius Of man
proves that he possesses the image and
likeness of his author to a great extent,
and inheTits the spirit OF the evil one. But
that bible, that is so much despised by
infidels and unbelievers in our day and
past centuries, gives poor humanity more
light and truth, and more hope, not only
in this life, but of the future than any
other source. How dreary and discon-
ISOLATE is the doctrine OF agnostics, who
place all their confidence in nature and
reason. Nature has its charms for all the
race, but true religion, as taught by the
Savior and all the holy prophets gives to
suffering and dying humanity all the hope
there is in life or death. Everything that
is must have an inventor and maker, and
agnosticism cannot combat such logic and
reason. Darwinism is farce, Tor we have
all learned by experience and observation
that like begets like in nature.
Notwithstanding the bible may have err
rors, yet it contains the true word of God.
The Almighty has given intelligent minds
the power and wisdom to sift out apparent
mistakes and find the truth. 1t is to be
regretted by all good men and women
that the bible has been so misunderstood
in all times, causing contention among all
classes OF society and the destruction OF
life and property.
The long and bloody religious wars of
the past ages were caused by bigamy, SUI
perstition and ignorance OF the bible We
read that Solomon was a wise and good
man in the beginning of his reign, but by
having too much wealth and too many
wives he became vain, and the record does
not say that he died a Christian God in
tended in the beginning, and the good
book teaches, that man should have but
one wife, and vet what vast numbers be-
lieve TO the contrary. 1t is said in the
book of books that all scriptures is given
by inspiration, but that does not imply
that every word is inspired of God, for q
great deal of the bible is history, giving
the record of ancient nations, their wars,
customs and superstitions. But we find
embodied in this wonderful book great
truths and sublime subjects that interest
every man and woman in the world.
Wherever the bible goes, and its pre-
cepts are regarded, education, wisdom,
knowledge, improvements, inventions,
science and art follows. Ii is the fore
runner OF everything good and great.
From its pages we learn that thereI is an
overruling providence visible to every liv-
ing creature. The teachings are that sin
and disobedience ruin and destroy the
human race. While the land is full OF false
religions, it gives but one true religion.
In the infdel world there is no light, and
all is gloom and darkness. not only here
upon the earth, but forever in eternity.
How dreadful the thought chat al the in