The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-09-04
THE HOLY SABBATH.
Communion in Two Ohurches-A Student
Should Also Study the Bible The
P~rovidences Of God.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

/ am alarmed at the prevailing ignor-
ance Of the bible. The neglect of the
systematic study of this best of books is
painful to one who believes in and loves
the precious truths it contains. Never
before, probably have the scriptures
been circulated SO widely in all Ian
guages as at present, and yet the power
of the book is not felt as it should be in
the lives of men, and it's truths are not
made the subjects of daily study and
meditation. / come therefor to these
young people tonight who are returning
to their schools and studies and opening
their books again and earnestly com
mend to them the study of the word of
God as the best Of all text books.
!. 1t is a necessary part of a liberal
education. The bible is a book among
books altogether unique. No pro-
duction OF any writer is quite like the
bible. 1t is itself q collection OF books
&c in number, composed by nearly 80
different writers during a period OF 1900
years, and yet a marvellous unity pre-
yades the whole. Altogether their COM
position extends over so long a period in
which powerful nations were born, grew
into strength and declined. Yet the
writer's seem to have been guided by an
unseen power. Their pens seem to have
been directed by an All-wise hand for
the light of every n of these 66 books
is made to converge upon n point, viz:
The cross of the crucitied Christ and the
empty grave of the risen Savior. This
makes the bible a unique book and
therefore the knowledge of it's contents
is an important part of a liberal edu-
cation.
2. Again, from a literary point of
view it's contents are acknowledged to
far surpass the productions of any un-
inspired author, There is no poetry
like the Psalms of David, no such.elegies
as the Examinations of Jeermiah, no wis
dom that equals that of Solomon. No
system of Philosophy can compare with
that of Jesus and Paul. No orators rise
to such sublime heights as Isaiah and
Ezekiel. No prophecy is so full and de.
tailed and has been SO literally fulfilled
as theirs. No writings of u~ninspired
man fathom the depths of mans soul as
do the 51st Psalm, the sermon on the
mount, the epistle to the Romans.
8. Judgedby its effect the bible is alto,
gether unique. No facts have changed
the current Of the worlds history as have
the facts recorded in the four Gospels
No published correspondence has evel
moulded the civilization OF the world al
that OF st. Paul to the churches hi
founded. No messages of comfort anc
: coincidence have ever illuminated thu
! darkness of bereaved hearts as have th,
; glorious truths concerning the e~yerlast
! ing life which shine respondent from 81
. many parts OF this blessed book. 1t is
!. uniaue book. Even from the standpoin
l of a desire to be ranked a scholar 20,
. should not be ignorant of the content
OF the holy scriptures.
4. But, further, the theme of thi
book is of higher Importance to you thar
any other. You will acknowledge tina
the church is at the foundation o
achievement. What you accomplish in thi
9 world depends very largely upon wha
1 you are. Your motives and principle
8 rule and control your life. Now tn
bible infomes you and me Of CERTAIN
Q facts we most need to know as these fact
Q intimately concern US as character
builders. This book reveals to us GU
9 inner selves, makes known the deeLes
[ secrets of our natures and thus puts u
on our guard against evils we would b
Q powerless to contend against unaidet
In short, we learn in this book that W
have broken Gods holy law and are i
danger of suffering the penalties pre-
nounced against transgressors by a jus
n God.
N. E. R
I Prof. W. I. Graham, president of DE-
kota university, conducted quarterl
k meeting services, preaching morning an
evening. The morning subject wa
q General and Special Providence" an
. the text was chosen from John ST
The speaker referred to the works {
i, creation as four %concentric circles. Th
= first and outer circle representing tn
land and water; the second vegetation
= the third the lower animals; and tn
y fourth man. His general providence
. his care for all these created things, I
even the numbering Of the hairs of on
= head. OF all that he had thus made b
pronounced it "very good" But ma
sinned, and feel from his high estate, an
!, under the reign or within the domain
general providence there was no hope {
help for him. There was no such thin
" possible as repentance or forgiveness
There was no existing law known to til
four circles OF creation and provideno
: that could rescue him, no~twithstandin
:, God loved him and showed his comma