The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-09-04

the court of King solomon; TO INQUIRE
as to the cause of Britain's wonderful
majesty and power, -the nation, the
most illustrious in the world, and upon
whose territory, as it has peen stelu, tne
sun never sets. Victoria said 70 her royal
guest, taking the word OF uou IN ~ ner
hand, This has been the cause OF our
country's prosperity and strength"
Recently large representation OF the
Indian tribes went to Washington on
tour of inquiry. They had noted with
wonder the rapid and marvellous progress
OF our country, and they desired 10 m
qulre or 1.-The Great Eather anu ms
this great advance in CIVILIZATION, euuca-
tion, enlightenment and prosperity ana
growth in America. The President called
his cabinet and the Generals OF the army
and the chief men of the administrator
together in a grand POW WOW, with
these Indian chiefs. during Ihe conner
ence, Gen. Oliver Otis Howard, whom
Maine gave Ito his country, and who has
proved himself to be not only an lllustrl-
Gus military hero, but a hero for Christ
| as we'll, arose, and with great impressive
ness took from his pocket a copy OF the
Holy Bible, and holding 1T aloft SAID,
substantially: "Gentlemen, you know as
we'll as | that this book which was
brought here by the founders OF our coun-
try, and whose very teachings have been
woven into our very fabric as q nation.
and all our laws being founded upon its
precepts, that this book has been the
chief factor under God working for right
eousness in our nation, inspiring our
people among the lines OF education and
Industries, SO that We have become Lib
erty's beacon light of the world, and the
brightest. and best nation OF the globe. "
| How true these words of Scripture are:
tThe entrance of Thy Word giyeth light.
1t giveth understanding to the simple.
AS Hastings says: Inc scripture rep-
resents man as called out OF darkness, as
illustrated, as frightened, as Int up, every
thing made over by the presence OF this
Word of Cod l heard OF a man, who,
after he was converted, went home and
lit his house up from cellar to garrett;
every window was ablaze With light.
| What was the matter2 There was good
deal the matter. In war when they gain
victories, they illuminate the cities and
towns, and this man had gained great
victory. We celebrate emancipation, and
he was emancipated. He wanted people
to know that something had happened
so he lit up the house from cellar to gar
ret
The value of the Bible is like yonder
/ light house, whose purpose is to light up
the way SO that mariners can be warned
of danger and guided along the course
and into harbor OF rest. Or it is like
| the mariners chart that marks out the
entire course for him, and without which
he could not steer his vessel Alright, but
would soon be upon the rocks. Some fool
| ish people object to the Bible because it is
old. They live in new age, amid new
| inventions, new ideas and new methods.
| Old things must pass away, they have
no use for them. Well. | am in great
sympathy with much of this sentiment,
but brethren, there are some old things
we want to hold onto. The sun is old,
tits the same that Joshua commanded to
stand still; the stars are old, they are the
same that Abraham gazed upon. But
who would shut The sun out of his home?
,Twould be fool indeed that because
the sun is old should pull down the cur
tains and close the shutters of his house.
In the darkness, gloom and dampness,
he soon would be the victim of disease
The stars are old, but who does not
gaze up into the studded heavens in rap
| ture, and praise God for His wondrous
works to the children of men? This ma
riners chart to which we have referred
| is old, but it marks the same headlands,
inlets and bays that it did centuries ago,
and is of equal yalue as in days OF old.
| My mothers Bible is old, but how preci-
GUS to me-. ''Eis tie only guide post that
marks the way from the storms of earth
| to the perpetual sunshine of heaven.
| Throw that away and we have nothing
left that will tell us about Jesus and the
homeland.
Mothers Bible, precious volume,
Doubly dear it seems to me,
God has given it to His children;
1t is mothers gift to me.
aHoly Bible, - how l love it.
Mother loved it long ago,
And she tau ght me in her closet,
How to love this Bible, too.
Mothers Bible Holy Bible,
Twas her guide from day to day;
Here she found cheering cordial
When her loved ones passed away.
Twas her comfort when in trouble,
Twas her joy when sorrows came;
Mother loved this precious Bible
More than worldly or fame.
Mothers Bible, blessed Bible
All its promises are true;
Mother saw them fully tested
Ere she babe this world adieu
In the swelling of the river,
They sustained her even there;
"Christ is with me, mother whispered;
"Soon shall I His glory share. -
Holy Bible, precious Bible,
Blessed book SO dear to me;