The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-29

the practice Of ito precepts make men
better In all the walks OF life. II It's
principles could be made the principles
OF conduct everywhere. what a transfer
nation world take place In the conduct
OF men toward each other. and in the
constitution Of human society. The ethi-
cal teaching OF the Bible touches every
point OF life. II contains instruction for
princes and paupers. for rulers and ruled,
for masters and servants. for husbands
and wives. for parents and children. II
requires that In all the walks OF life
whatever men do. they shall do as unto
God. IL obhterates the distinction be-
tween sacred and secular, making all
things done In the right spirlt-that is, as
in the sight OF God-sacred
Before leaving this point permit me
TO Introduce the testimony OF Professor
Huxley, concerning the Bible as an ethi-
cal textbook. Mr.. Huxley said In an ad-
dress on the subject OF education: Il have
always been strongly In favor OF secu-
lar education In the sense OF education
without theology, but l must confess that
/ have been seriously perplexed 10 Know
by what practical measures the religious
feeling. which is the essential basis OK
conduct. was 10 be kept up in the present
utterly chaotic state of opinion on these
matters without the use OF the Bible.
The pagan moralists lack life and color,
and even the noble stole. Marcus An
toninus Is too high and refined for an
ordinary child" Take the Bible az
whole, make the severest deductions
which fair criticism can dictate, ana
there siin remains IN this old htera-
fure vast residium OF moral beauty ana
grandeur BY the study Of what other
book could children be so mucl human
lied?
Some time since, when engaged In de-
IivtriIg a series of sermons on the BIZ
BILE a gentleman who signed himself "A
Nationalist" sent q card through the
mail to ny address, containing the fcl-
loving quotation from Felix Adler: III
/ were to follow the prevailing fashion
and make a list Of the books that have
helped me, should place the Bible at
the head Of the list" But the 5ible ~
not a book it Is a llterature-that Is. It
Is many books. Parts OF II are as dry
as the arid desert, as wholesome as Il
malarial swamp. Other parts Of 1t are
grand and sublime. Those who worship
1t as perfection are ignorant; those who
denounce it are equally ignorant. 1t Is
composed Of a number Of authors, each
TO be Judged on his own merits.
The Bible IS not n book but Il literature.
From the birth of Moses TO tie death or
John the Apostle. is a period OF sixteen
centuries. The sixty-six tracts compos-
ing the literature which we denominate
the Bible. were written By men in al
most every conceivable station and under
almost every conceivable environment.
They were men OF education and men OF
no learning men reared in palaces, ana
men brought up amid the most humble
surroundings; men Of high estate and low,
men OF wealth and Of poverty, men OF
good character. and bad Literally All
sorts and conditions of men appear upon
r4nA On N I'll ~
ute in one way or another, 10 It's pro-
duction, and yet with one voice man
kind agree in treating this literature so
long in course Of preparation ana pre-
pared under such varied environment as
a book which they denOminate by way
Of pre-eminence-the Bible-that is, the
book. Here is something marvellous. one
mind seems TO dominate this literature.
one object gems to pervadc II from hrs'
TO last-the revelation OF the way OIL ue-
uverance from the thraldom Of SIN.
Professor Adler says that parts OF the
Bible are as dry as the arid desert. ana
as wholesome as malaridl swamp.
While one must consider this as at
least a verbal extravaganza, 1T must Dc
confessed that different parts of the
Bible are of different value. The author
certainly does not desire TO be uhder-
stood as affirming in the literal anu re-
Ultimate
is a moral malaria lurking in any part OF
these writings. Different parts OF the 81
HE have. as has been intimated. different
uses and may possess different values
hut no part Of this unique volume 49,
at any time hurtful to any man.
THE old Testament reveals the patri-
| archal and the Hebrew religions Inc
nrophet Malachi 40, afiirms that the
law Of Moses with its statutes and Judg-
f,,t. Israel.
preamble TO the Decalogue teaches the
same II YOU desire to know what Jul
daiero is read the Old Testament. IL
Won desire to know what Christianity Is,
read the New Testament. III you "ouiu
understand what it is 10 be Jew IN
religious faith and life, consult the pages
| Of the Old Testament. If you desire u
know what it is to be Chrisuah ~
faith, in spirit. In conduct ponuer 'ne
NJ, Testament. In the Old Testament
ven win learn much as TO the nature
and consequences Of sin; the utter help-
lessness of man In his fallen estate, the
| fundamental principles of Divine govern
vent. the nature OF God and His graz
cions purposes concerning man.
1eeus ard the Apostles encouraged the
reading of 1.-The Old Testament the
Master said: Search the Old Testament
writings for they are they which tes'lls
Of me- NQen 1du4 Se'it
ture given by inspiration OF Goa is pro-
ftable for doctrine, for reprooi, ior cor
rection. for instruction III righteousness
that the man Of God may be perfect and
thoroughly furnished unto all good works
he referred specifically and primarily to
Tho old Testament writings. IL Is
fact that the New Testament cannot be
,,ndarstood without the old. Someone
satd long ago that the Old Testament
60 t,o New Testament concealed, while
The New Testament Is the Old Testament
revealed. m. en-. ,,.o
1.he New Testament naturally falls INTO
| four divisions: The Gospels, the Acts'
| the Epistles. the Apocalypse. the Cos
| peis reveal Christ: the book or Acts m
| dicates the way Of return 10 Coo the
cnistles show the application OF Chris
| tan PRINCIPLES to daily life; the Apoca-
| lypse describes in symbolic terms the
| destiny of those who. by DIVINE grace,
| overcome the Gospels answer-the ques-
| ton. Who IS Jesus? The Acts OF Apos-
| Ties contains a reply TO the question,
| What must / do 10 be saved? The Epls-
| ties answer the inquiry: How does chris
| tianity require me 20 conduct myseil
from day 10 day toward God, toward
man. The Book of Revelation an
suers the question. What has God PRO
vided for those who love Him ana Keep
HE commandments? Do not fail, Deg OF
YOU before we leave the words quoleu
from Professor Adler. 10 note the idC'
that this agnostic Hebrew declares tha'
AZ he were 10 follow the prevailing iash-
- ,,otxn a LIST Of the books that