The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-09-14

SUBJECT: THE NAMES OF THE CHURCH
Textbook.
The English Names
Almost all books have variety of appella-
tions by which they are known. This is well
We have to speak so often Of the Bible that if
VIC were obliged invariably to use the same
title for it, our dction in this respect might
seem quite mOnOtonous.
l. The Alphabetical Last Of Names.
We have the following names:
/. Bible (The).
2. Book (The).
3. Book Divine.
4. Book of God Tor of the Lord).
s. Book of Life.
g. Holy Bible Tor Book.
z. Holy Library (The).
8. Holy Scripture Cor Scriptures).
8. Holy Writ Tor Writing)
10. Law and Gospel.
II. Sacred Word.
IL. Scriptures (The).
Is. Word (of God or of the Lord1.
e. Miscellaneous English Names of the Bible
a. We proceed first to give names found in
Psalm 1I9.
/. Commandment.
2. Judgments, Ordinances.
3. Law
d. Precepts.
5. Righteousness.
6. Statutes
7. Testimonies.
8. Truth, faithfulness.
8. Way.
10. Word.
Fguratiue Names for the Bible in Ps. 115.
1. Honey and Honey Comb 1903
9. Lamp. los.
3. Why is the Bible like light? (vs. los,
1907
Light is generally considered concretely. We
think of a flame, spark, or Jet. Light of
this kind reaches the mind by the optic nerve.
The eye is the organ. For the performance of
physical acts, as walking manual employments,
etc. we need gas. electricity, or other light. The
Bible materially considered is not of ilu-
minating quality; but there is such thing or
fact as mental or spiritual light A man says
he wants light on certain subject; he means
he needs facts or information. A subject is not
understood, and man is asked to throw light
on it. Webster notices this of the word
light, defining thus: THAT which eliminates
or makes clear to the intellect; hence, also,
mental or spiritual illumination the assent
conviction, or instruction of the intellect; en-
lightenment; instruction knowledge; infor-
nation; especially the source of moral re-
lgious enlightenment"
Christ is called our Light because He is the
Teacher who makes clear the great truths of
religion. (St. John, Ia, 5, 10; CT, Isa,
so: ~
Artist Holman Hunts great masterpiece was
''The Light of the World" The Light repre-
| scented is Christ. He is bearing lantern. We
recall the fact the Bible is called a lamp.
Hunts painting is now above the altar in the
chapel of Keble College, Oxford. England
There is no physical illumination intended.
Its location in college shows the idea of the
painting is realized in intellectual illumination.
There is hence fitness in the sentiment of the
seal motto of Yale University, L,sr ct Veritas-
Light and Truth.
Gods word is Light. 1t shows us our duties.
1t opens pathway for US from sin to holiness
from earth to Heaven.
'Hail sacred TRUTH whose piercing rays
Dspe the shades of night,
Diffusing DER a ruin'd world
The healing beams OF light
''Thy word, Lord with friendly aid,
Restores wand ring feet;
Converts the sorrows of the mind
To joys divinely sweet.
80 send thy light and truth abroad,
In all their radiant blaze;
And bid the admring world adore
The glories of thy grace"
Dr. Munhall has said: "God has given us
headlight aud that light is the Bible, and by
studying this we can see the proper way to
travel"
The philosopher, John Locke, left the fol-
lowing declaration: 81 gratefully receive and
rejoice in the light of revelation which has set
me at rest in many things, the manner where
of my poor reason can by no means make out
to me-"
b. Names from other portions of Gods Word
a. Why call the Bible the Book of the
Covenant? (See Elk. "a =; Deu., A /: 10; 2 XII,
%: g; Ps., %: 10; 1872: IL. Also, Mac, 1 81
Deu, 4: 13 shows the Covenant is equivalent to
the Ten Commandments. In XII, %: 2, the
word probably covers the Pentateuch in special,
and possibly, also, the books beginning with
Joshua and continuing through l Kings. In
the Psalms the word Covenant probably means
even mere Of the Holy Scriptures. The name is
very suitable for the entire Bible. 1t contains
a sors OF mutual agreement between God and
mankind God agrees To certain items, and
every man on becoming Christian accepts
Gods conditions of salvation and enters into