The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-28
DIVERS rNsrrRArIoNs.

There IA one cOnsOlatiOn tnht inc nuih""
race enjoys. No matter how many books are
written. no matter how many and bitter con-
troversies are waged. the average man is not
bound 70 read them or. If they are laid on
him rs a task or a duty. nothing can keep
him from gong to sleep over them. The poor
plodding, unlearned citizen goes jogging along
and reaches the end OF his journey in biissful
ignorance Of the thunder aud lightning that
has been going on in the upper spheres.
The common man and unambitious Chris
tan takes the Bible just for what it goes
for--the Word of God-not inquring whether
it is the Douay, the King James. the Revised
Version. or any other. The name is enough
for him And in whatever Communicated.
abbreviated or peryerted-the man that loves
the Almighty and his righteousness passes
safely on and finds food for his soul in the
midst Of heresies and misrepresentation
The bee gets honey where the spider gets pol
SON The heart saturated with the love OF
Truth has an instructive distaste If not aver
sion. for falsehood n any shape. The con-
troyers.es within the household OF faith have
had much Of irreligon about them. Under
whatever name. they have largely come ~
oficiousness. OF attempts % define the unde-
Unable. 10 trace out the ways Of the Spirit
and formulate the Providence of God. 10 TO-
duce to theological dogmas all the mysteries
Of our holy religion and TX tho outlines OF
Deity within scholastic limits.
The question Of the inspiration Of the
Scriptures has furnished infinite food for fight
and opportunity for championship. and yet.
supposing the sacred books to have been only
tied up in bundle and suppose that the
synods and church councils had not inter-
posed to say what was inspired and what
was not inspired, the truth that is
in them would. nevertheless have worked
its own work, and by the law Of affinity and
antagonsm have chosen It's own company.
Just as the seed is sown, and the rain comes
down and the snow on the earth. and waters
it, and makes it bring forth seed to the sower
and bread 10 the eater. the word Of Heaven
would have taken root in tho good soil, out
grown eyili and brought forth some thirty.
some sixty and some hundred fold-and the
good would have triumphed.
In spite Of theological hate and eccesiasti-
cal prosecutions the world is in possession Of
the knowledge of the supreme and righteous
God. Over all It's darkness and sorrow the
Sun Of Righteousness has arisen with healing
in his wings And the light OF civilization. the
life everlasting the only solution of the
problem Of life. is the name that is above
every name. The Christ. in his Office and
character is written on the soul of the human
race. From the bosom of mankind nothing
can take him away Prophecies have been
fulfilled in him: knowledge that has led the
world to him has fulfilled It's Office and may
cease but ne abides forever. The Gospel of
Salvation IS indelibly craven on humanity.
Take the Scriptures as you will to bring
the world to the knowledge of the Saviour
was the Office of all the books known as sa-
cred. and the knowledge Of him is the test
of inspiration. Just as the risen sun not
only awakes and brghtens all creation but
by its very presence distinguishes between
the animate and inanmatc. the living and
the dead so the CLEANS Of light from
the Amounted Most Holy shine through the
Old Testament and the New. enlightening
and clarifying all that is live and love and
divine and inspired in them. The word
spoken in the dark places of the past and the
record Of the Evangelist answer TO the Word
that was made flesh and dweit among Us.