The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-22
UNRIGHTEOUs REVERENCE

H.
Too much help and patronage does
harm. Not only is this true as affecting
the young and the old; but 1t may dam
age the best cause in the world to press
1t or advocate it unwisely and unseasona-
bly,. No manly nature will allow conde-
scension and all resent being too much
looked after. The person to be help
ed Is offended, and the cause is hinder
ed and misrepresented by mistaken anx-
iety and help. Much nursing means
much debility and deficiency.
These truths are applicable everywhere
Generally, the thing is known as the
pleading of the Baby Act, or the priv
ileges of the helpless. 1t is against ma
ture and sense, and is resisted and re-
PEELED. When the ark of God trembled
Uzzah offered his valuable services to
sustain IT and was punished as for want
of faith, and for impiety.
The Holy Scriptures. as the Record of
Christianity and the Light Of the Human
Race, are before the world as its most
valuable possession. Among the heather
they are typihed as the Pierian Spring:
among the chosen people by the ark
that kept the wonderful mysteries. They
are the depository Of the truths, the
light, the mysteries, that most concern
mankind, their history, their laws. their
beginning their grand outcome. They are
the explanation and light of life. and
alone solve all its problems and answer
its riddles.
Because of their dignity. and history
and Office and authorship, the Holy
Scriptures are entitled TO all respect
and reverence. And 1t is 10 the great
honor Of our civilization that they are
revered as they are. But there is a ques-
ton whether friendship and reverence
may not pass into patronage and super
sttion. If the Scriptures are what they
90 for the Light of the world; If their
authorship is divine then they may be
trusted TO take care OF themselves as
any other natural power. any other mani
festation Of Deity. They don't need TO
be protected and fought for; but to be
understood and accepted and used and
enjoyed. Just so the sun and moon and
stars, the light, the changes of the sea-
sons, the winds, the clouds, the thunder
and lightning need no human patronage
no men or officers, no champions 10 de-
fend then. They work the work of God;
and man is blest In submitting and order
ing his ways to suit them, and appropri-
ating their blessings.
The Holy Scriptures have grown 10 ma
turity and a full volume like a thing Of
nature, and are known as the Bible.
The first germ of them was a word Of
promise in Paradise. out Of that germ,
with elements of mercy and truth added,
and enlarged a wonderful tree whose |
height reaches unto the Heaven and the |
sight thereof TO the end OF all the earth: |
whose leaves are fair, and the fruit |
thereof much, and in 1t is meat for all. |
In the fullness Of time IL is before the |
world a made-up volume; a marvellous |
gift; unlike the pyramids, for they have |
clear record from the first word of |
God, from Alpha 10 Omega; like the ocean
covering the earth. Its living witnesses
a race, scattered over the face Of the
earth, whose generation shall not pass
away till all be fulfilled.
Peoples and races and kingdoms have
come into being lowered and disappear
ed: generations have risen and gone; but
this strange book has remained, has per-
itNtti, mas, as IL Wtits bttH tstabilSHtA /
In the tops Of the mountains OF the
aarth TO tighten every land.
With such a history II stands in the
world as distinct from all other books as
a work of nature among works OF art,
as high above all other sources Of light |
rs the sun above the lamps of earth
And yet here Is the phenomenon. The |
books that make this wonderful volume |
are marvels OF literature and inteliec-
ual light. They are so fresh. live, fra
grant, stimulating. animating. and edi-
ying, az TO be acknowledged as natural.
wholesome, life-giving nourishment, like
'ur ordained animal and vegetable food.
n the way of education. they furnish '
authentic history, approved laws and
principles. most wholesome biographies.
hey cultivate virtues and inspire the
ighest hopes, and display the highest
ossible standards OF manhood.
And yet the great reverence for this
Is In the way Of its full use
nd enjoyment The general public does
OF read Moses. Job. Psalms. Proverbs
saiah, the Gospels. and Paul for their !
Ign classic and intrinsic merit. But