The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1893-04-12
ADDRESS
THE POWER OF AN OPEN BIBLE.
ny REV. GEO. s. SAVAGE, DIST. SUIT. a. II. s.,
FOR KY. AND TENN.
Delivered Before Monteagle Sunday
School Assembly.
(Concluded.)

Its spiritual power is being felt. Learn
ing is reviving-fetters are being broken
from the human onscience-People be-
gin to think for themselves, but all under
protest; for only the morning appeareth
and also the night
Revolutions may move slowly, but new
er with retrograde motion. What effect
the translation of the whole Bible into
the English language had upon after
events, you may judge. But we call up
the Waterman again, "Watchman, what
of the night? "If We will inquire-in.
quire ye:" Return !-Come" and see
Martin Luther, in the grandeur and glory
of his might, panoplied with the truth.
OF Tetzel, voluble seller of idulgencies,
he said, God willing will beat a hole
in his drum" See him posting his %
theses on the church doorat Wittenburg!
Listen to the Illuminating bull against
him! and see his audacity in burning the
bull, at one Of the gates of the city, on
the memorable 18th of December, 1920!
Summoned to Worms, he met the Diet
of Sovereigns-The previous night was
spent in an agony of prayer. The scene
before the Diet was one of moral grand
eur. Well has it been sculptured and
painted! He was urged to retract, and
an immediate answer demanded. 81
neither can, nor dare retract anything,
unless convinced by reason and Scrip
ture. My conscience is captive to Gods
Word, and it is neither safe nor right to
go against conscience. Here, 1 take my
stand. | cannot do otherwise-so help
me God Amen" Immortal words!
Worthy to be craven with an iron pen,
and lead in the rock forever.
But the browning event in Luther's
life, was that on entering the University
of Erfurt, in the prosecution of his legal
studies, he CHANGED to examine the Vul-
gate, and saw to his great establishment,
that there were more gospels and epistles
than in the dictionaries. He was arrest
ed by this newly found treasure, His
heart was deeply stirred. He entered
the conbent, and spent three years in
studying the Bible. This led Martin
Luther to open the Book to the world,
and the key note to the Reformation was
The just shall live by faith.
The ensuing conflict between right and
might was not long, but it was sharp and
manly. 1t was a.conflict of light against
darkness-liberty against bondage, learn
ing against ignorance-truth against err
ror-an open Bible, for an incarcerated
Bible. Martin Luther measuring lances
with the Pope-Melanctho with Fred
erick of Saxony-ZwingIe with 600 clergy
and laity at Zurick-Edward vi. with
the Catholic Bishops of England. The
lances OF the enemies of right were brok-
en- Songs of victory, and doxologies OF
praise went up from emancipated hosts
The Lord had triumphed gloriously.
Our ethical line again appears in beauty,
never more to be marred or obscured.
An echo was heard from the british
Isles-for young Edward vi. speaks at
his coronation "By the grace of God, En-
gland henceiorth, shall have an open BIZ
ble." 1t was never after firmly closed.
The great transaction is accomplished.
An open Bible for Germany-Switzer-
land-Saxony-Holland -Norway-Swe-
den-England- Scotland the World
never, thank God, to be closed again.
An open Bible The morning light
appeareth-The Sun of Righteousness
ariseth never again 70 set. Truth is ON
nipotent. The nations are astir AS an
illustration, the reign of "Good queen
Bess," forms an era in the history OF an
open Bible in England. In early life she
esponsed the cause OF the Professionals,
which cost her imprisonment i'd the cell
ebrated Tower Of London, ana came very
near costing her her head, for at one
time. her death warrant was signed. Out
spoken public sentiment, the outgrowth
of free Bible, alone prevented.
The true greatness of England began
during Elizabeth's regality Of "A years
Free from persecution, comparatively (;
with no domestic commotion, no extern
al wars OF note; there arose an unpara-
lelled literature. England's commerce
greatly enlarged, the London Exchange
opened, the East India Company organic
ed, the beginning Of England's Colonial
Empire-the formation OF her unequaled
navy, the social improvement Of the peo-
Pile, the right of free speech guaranteed,
characterized the reign OF this queen.
1t was the age that produced Spencer
Shakespeare, and Bacon, the author Of the
Baconian or inductive system Of philoso-
ply. Thus it was that England entered
upon her pathway Of splendor and re-
nown-all growing out of an open Bible.
Not by might, nor by power, but by my
Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts. Why do
the heather rage, and the people imag-
inc vain thing? The kings Of the earth
set themselves, and the rulers take coun-
sci together against the Lord, and against
His Amounted. The King immortal is
set upon the holy hill OF Zion.
"Hail to the Lords annointed
Great David's greater
lie comes to break oppression
And set the captive free.
lie comes with snccor speedy
To those who suffer wrong,
Il ~.