Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-03-17
Miseellansulls Reading.
POWER OF THB BIBLB.
Its Growing Influence on the
Worlds Civilization.
GREAT PROGRESS Of A NOBLE WORK.

Annual Meeting Of the York
Bible Society In the Yorkville
Associate Reformed Church on
Sunday Evening, March IL.
I congratulate myself on the priyi-
lege of taking part with you in these
exercises. The interests which have
brought us together are common to all
Christians and very dear to every earn
est Christian heart. We cannot all see
exactly alike in respect to the teach
ings of the Bible. Methodists cannot
see in those teachings the doctrine of
predestination. The Baptists cannot
see infant baptism. The Episcopalians
cannot see the prominence ascribed to
the ruling elder. The Associate Re-
formed brother cannot see the authori-
ty for singing hymns of merely human
composition. Presbyterians may fail
to see some things that others see.
But we can all see in the Bible the
great, the infinite love of God and the
boundless grace of Christ. We can
see our unspeakable sibfulness and the
precious blood that cleanseth from all
sins. Rejoicing in these great dis
coveries which are common to the
faith of all, we forget the little differ
ences that divide US, and with united
hearts we lift to God our tribute Of
praise for His gift of the Bible. There
are two texts that we can read in con-
cert, and, as we read, our hearts beat
in perfect accord "God 30 loved the
world, etc." "This is faithful saying
and worthy of all acceptation, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to
save sinners" This being 80, we can
work together for common end to
give the Bible, without note or COM
ment, to the whole world. We want
the whole world to have it, because it
is able to make all men wise unto
everlasting life. We are not afraid
that it will make Methodists, or Bap-
lists, or Episcopalians out of them. We
know that in every heart where it is
received, it will cause the man to hate
sin, love God and trust Christ; it will
make Christian out of him. Then,
if he should happen to join the Metho-
dist church, we can bid him God
speed, knowing that he was predestin-
ated thereunto, and that he will per-
severe in grace and be saved never.
theless.
1t is cause for thankfulness that we
have this work in which we can show
to the world our essential unity. We
are here standing on the same platform
and manifesting the fact that, despite
superficial diversities, we are parts of
one great whole; that while divided
into denominational camps, we all are
soldiers of the same army, fighting
under the same banner, and marching
on to glorious victory under the same
Leader.
I shall speak to you this evening on
the "Growing Influence of the Bible" ="
As a starting point, let US 60 back
across many centuries to a scene
which presents itself to our minds
eye. A young man, dressed in the
plain garb of a Jewish peasant, is
seated on an elevation to the east OF
Jerusalem. Around him are gathered
an even dozen men dressed in similar
fashion, showing that they are from
the same humble station of life. They
are all sun.tanned and trayel-stained.
There is nothing in their appearance,
past history or present position, to
suggest that they were destined to ex-
ert any considerable influence on the fu
ture thought and history of the world.
The young man in the centre of the
group has just been making startling
prediction in reference to the historic
city which lies below them, to the eff.
feet that it would soon be destroyed
with an overthrow involving such sor-
row as had not been known since the
world began.
There may have been look of in
credulity on the faces of the men gath
cred around him which led him to
follow his prediction with the solemn
affirmation, Heaven and earth shall
pass away, but my words shall not
pass away" Whatever may have
prompted this affirmation, it is certain
ly most remarkable one in the cir
cumstances. Suppose some hostile
Pharisee had been present, what fine
opportunity for jest and derision.
"What! young man, your words never
pass away2 What is to hinder? Who
is to preserve them? All the inAuen-
tial men of the nation are against you,
laying plans even now to rid them
selves of your presence. Look at your
following. A mere handful of litter.
ate Galilean peasants. These could
not, if they would, perpetuate your
words" This would have been plausi,
BILE skepticism. The young man seemed
to be blowing his words into air, to be
dissipated into the eternal silence OF
space. He did not write them down,
did not command his disciples to write
them down. But the indisputable fact
is that we have his words. They have,
at any rate, lived nearly 1900 years.
What is more, the prospect of their
continuing to live is infinitely brighter
now than when they were uttered.
Then they were spoken into the ears
e