The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-12-18

What Has BsFn Said by Eminent lien Regarding II.
mo specific lesson having been appointed for
Dee -, we notice series OF Communications Of tho,
Holy Scripturcs.l -, II
Tho work Of the Sunday school is TO study
the Holy Scriptures. 1t il wonderful what a
hold the Bible has on the world. There must
bc some reason for this. book Of such I'M
p0rtance and influence should be understood, il
from no other than literary point No other
volume has elected such continued series of
concentrations from tho ablest thinkers Of
successive ages. No other book has resisted
such opposition. No other volume has survived
30 much persecutiOn-OutliVed so many A.
tempts at its destruction. No other literary
production has been forced to submit 20 such
critical investigation both as 10 the internal
proofs of It's gcnuinencss and the external evil
denccs Of its claims. IL has been put through
the tests of all the natural sciences, of all
pathological research, Of every ordeal suggested
10y modern revelations in the department of
antiquities IL is alike welcomed by men of
all the yocations. The learned find delight in
its pages, while the ignorant rejoice over its
contents. IL matches every human experience
No wonder men great in the various professions
aud callings have uttered words i'm its favor
and even in Its praise. Ii will be interesting
TO notice few commencing expressions.
Mr.. Gladstone, writing letter to a gentle
man who Taught an adult Bible class, said
among other statements:
advise you remen boring that the Scriptures
have two purp0ses-oue 10 feed the people Of
God In green PASTURE" the other 10 serve for
proof Of doctrine. These Ere not divided by sharp
line from one another, yet they are provinces On
the whole district. aud IN some ways different We
nTH yEriuusly called to various works. But we all
require To- feed In the pastures and To drink ut the
wells For this purpose the Scriptures are incom-
parabiy simple To all those willing To be fed. The
same eannoi be said la regard io the proof con-
stTuciiOn OF doctrine. This Is a desirable work but
not for IA all. IL requires TO be possessed with
more Of external helps. more learning and good
guides. more knowledge Of the historical develop
inent OF Our religion, which development Is one OF
the most wonderful paris Of all human history
and ia my opinion, affords also of the strongest
demonstrations Of lis truth and Of the power and
goodness Of God
We value the opinion OF a man so famous.
scholarly and experienced as AT. Gladstone on
whatever topic lac treats A volume receiving
the approval of the most eminent EngIish-
man OF our age is worthy Of the study even
OF adults That which feeds people as in pas
lures green, supplying mental food fresh and
luxuriant-that which, moreover. abOuuds in
data for doctrines engaging the attention of
critical students-is not "a mere story book not
volume of myths. The great popularity of
the Bible is that, while children read il with
delight, while those unframed in systematized
thought reyel in il. yet profound scholars knit
their brows over its pages, seeking To unraveI
its mysterious contents. A Book which has
power TO charm Mr. Gladstone by its doctrines
aud ethics aud comforts has merits which COM
mend IL To all human beings.
Rev. John Wesley, man of thought as we'll
MS OF plety-a man who knew about what he
was wTitlng-a man whose main study was the
Bible aud whose main vocation was to teach
and impress ITS meanings, declared as follows /:
To candid reasonable men. am not afraid to
lay open what have been the Utmost thought, of
my heart. have thought i atn "A creature of n
day, passing through lle. As au arrow through the
AIR. tnt a spirit come from God and returning
To God just lowering over thc great gulf; ill., "A
lew moments hence. am no more scent drop
INTO AN Interchangeable eternity 1 want To know
the way To HeAvenl how 10 land safe that happy
shore. TOD himself las c0nde-cended to teach tlIe
wayi for this very ehd he came from Heaven. He
hath written IL la "A book OhI give that book
At any pTicr, give me the book Of God. have il.
here y knowledge enough for me- Let me be homo
uHtus itbTi Here then am, far from the busy
ways Of men. 81 down alone: Only God is here.
la his presence open, read this book; for this
end, To hnd the way To Heaven.
Let me be, said Mr.. WeslIey. a man of one
book homo HHiHs ibril. lie spoke OF the Bible
comparatively. Other books may be read, but
the object of such reading should be To fit one
more fully To enter into the spirit of Gods
Word. Other books may be read. but for all
the purposes OF religious training the Bible is
The Book.
DIR. Hodge, so famous rs a theOlogian-a criti-
cal Biblical student. so to speak, by heredity-
a man too cool intellectually TO DO moved by
mere admiration or sentiment. man so kim
dred TO logic one might imagine him the child
Of sylosism, said:
la his book God shines aH the light Of life making
10 lamp To our feet and u light To path WEer-
ever THIS word goes, throughout the world, right
eousness aud truth spring up like trees al God along
the borders Of the living stream. Whoever follows