Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1893-09-23
STRENGTH oF TEE BIBLE.

The first mode OF accomplishing thl6
Ia to study the Bible itself. I do not be-
lieve there is an infdel now alive who
has read the Bible through. But as so
important document needs to be read
at least twice through In order that it
may be thoroughly understood, and read
In course, now offer 800 reward to
any infdel who has read the Bible
through twice and read it in course. But
! cannot take such mans own word for
II, for there is no foundation for integri-
ty except the Bible, and theman who re-
jects the source of truth how can ac-
cept his truthfulness?
So must have another witness In the
case before I give the reward. must
have the testimony of some one who has
seen him read it all through. twice. In
fdels fish In this Bible for incoherencies
and contradictions and absurdities, and
if you find their Bible you will see inter-
lineations in the book of Jonah and some
of the chapters Of that unfortunate
prophet nearly worn out by much use,
and some parts of II Samuel or /
Kings you will find dim with finger
marks, but the pages which contain the
Ten Commandments, and the Psalms of
David, and the sermon on the mount, and
tie book of John the Evangelist, will
not have single lead pencil strokein the
margin nor any finger marks showing
frequent perusal.
The father of one Of the presidents Of
the United States was pronounced in
fdel. I knew it when many years ago l
accepted his invitation to spend the
night In his home. Just before retiring
at night he said In jocose way, IL
suppose you are accustomed to read the
Bible before going to bed, and here is
my Bible from which to read He then
told me what portions he would like to
have me read, and he only asked for
those portions on which he could easily
be facetious.
You know you can make fun about
anything. I suppose you could take the
last letter your father or mother ever
wrote and find something In the gram
mar OF the spelling or the tremor of the
penmanship about which to be derisiyely
critical. The internal evidence of the
truthfulness Of the Bible Is so mighty
that no one man out OF the 100000, 900
Of the worlds present population or the
yaster millions Of the past ever read the
Bible In course, and read 1t prayerfully
and carefully, but was led to believe it.
John Murray, the famous book pub
Usher OF Edinburgh and the intimate
friend Of Southey, Coleridge, Walter
Scott, Canning and Washington Irving.
bought of Moore, the poet. the Memoirs
Of Lord Byron" and they were to be
published otter Byron's death. But they
were not fit to be published, although
Murray had paid for them $4,000. That
was o solemn conclaye when eight OF the
prominent literary people of those times
assembled in AIbemarle street after By
ron,s death to decide what should be
done with the Memoirs" which were
charged and surcharged with defama.
lions and indelicacies. The Memoirs
were read and pondered, and the decision
came that they must be burned, and not
until the last word Of those Memoirs"
went to ashes did the literary company
separate.
But suppose, now, all the bestspirits Of
all ages were assembled to decide the
fate Of the Bible, which, is the last will and
testament of our Heavenly Father, and
these memoirs Of our Lord Jesus, whet
would be the verdict Shall they burn,
,I,oU tbo,, 1iua2 The unanimous YER