The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-31
THE ORIGIN OF THE BIBLE.
Rev. DIR. Fairs Subject Mt the IDde-
pendent Church.


The subject of Rev. DR.. Fairs sermon,
al the Independent Presbyterian Church
yesterday morning, was the origin Of the
Bible" The text was Exodus 1714: The
Lord said unto Moses, Write this for
memorial in a book"
This said DIR. Fair, lis the FIRST men
tion of writing we find in the scriptures.
It seems TO be the beginning Of the Bible,
the source from which that wonderful
composition flowed. II teaches the BIZ
BILE originated not in the impulse of man,
but the command of Cod"
For ages the Nile has been flowing
through Egypt, making the desert to bios
som as the rose. It's fontal source is said
TO be far away in the mountains of the
Dark continent As the traveller stands
by the sparkling lake and looks down into
its pure waters, he may think he sees the
real beginning of thar great river which
has been called the mother Of civilization
and religion, but il is not so. He only sees
its first visible manifestation. hears its first
audible voice If he would see its ult-
mate fountain, he must look upward 10 the
Skies It's real source Is there. Earth mere
ly opens It's heart forms a receptacle to
hold the heavenly gift furnishes a channel
through which it may flow and enrich the
world.
80 in the text" said DR.. Fair eve NAV
think we find the beginning of the Bible
but If we would trace il TO its real origin
we must look beyond the mountains of 81
mai TO the heavens where God reigns.
THE text added DR.. Fair also teaches
the object of the Bible. 1t was to be a
memorial volume OF what is il a memo
rial? First, of the guilt aud punishment
of sin. Gods church had just begun the
march to Canaan; Amalek opposed the
progress of His Kingdom; the battle OF
Rephidim had just been fought, the
Amalehtes discomfitted, and il seems to
have been on the field of victory God gave
the command to Moses TO write this for
a memorial in a book. So we are taught
the triumph of Christ Men may oppose the
progress of His Kingdom. but the gospel Is
marching steadily forward and filling
the world. Let the Christian read the
promises of this memorial volume; IL Is
full of illustrations of Gods presence with
His people to help in time of need. Sin
may gather its armies and unturl is ban
ner on the field of Rephidim, but ihe truth
will triumph in the end How is this result
to be accomplished? The first great victory
of the Hebrews was won, not by the ar
mics on the field of Rephldim but by
Moses lifting hands of prayer on the
mount. So the church is to win the world
to God not by force, but by united and
fervent prayer, by kindness and by wit
Messing to the truth. Let parents teach
the truths of tbis memorial volume to
their children; let the gospel b9 preached
from our pulpts; let the church uphold
the ministry by importurate prayer So
shall Gods kingdom advance and win the
great battle for right
In conclusion, DR.. Fair said: I'VE do
not know what became of this original
writing of Moses Possibly il was put in
the golden ark of the covenant, and car
ried through all the journey till they
crossed the river and entered the Promised
Land. Then it was merged into the
larger and richer revelation of scripture.
So let us hide Gods word in our hearts,
carry it through all the journey Of life.
through the river of death till it merges
into the clearer and ever Frightening Light
within the veil"