The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-03-28

Its Growing Influence on the Worlds
Civilization.
orErilic Enuui,-r.

Bible Society in the Yorkvillc Asso
ciatc Reformed Church on Sunday,
March H.
| congratulate myself on the privi-
legc of taking part with you in these
exercises. The interests which have
brought us together arc common to all
Christians and very dear t. every ear
nest Christian heart. We cannot see
exactly alike in respect to the teach
ings of the Bible Mcthodists cannot
see in those teachings the doctrine Of
prcdcstinaton The Baptists cannot
see infant baptism The Epscopalians
cannot see the prominence ascribcd to
the ruling elder The Associate Re
formed brother cannot see the authori-
~ for singing hymns Of merely human
composition. I'rcsbytcrians may fail
to sec some things that Others see
But We can all see in the Bible the
great, the infinite love Of God ani he
boundless grace Of Christ We III
see our unspcakablc sinfulncss and the
precious blood that clcanscth from all
sins. Rejoicing in these great dis
covcrics " oh are common to the
faith Of all. we forget the little differ
cnces that divide us, and with united
hearts We lift to God our tribute Of
praise for His gift Of the Bible. There
arc two texts that We can read in con
cert, and, as VIC read, our hearts beat
in perfect accord: "God so loved the
world etc. "This is faithful saying
and worthy Of all acccptation, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to
save sinners This being so, we can
work together for common end to
pivc the Bible, without note or com
mcnt, to toe whole world. We want
the whole world to have it, because it
is able to make all men wise unto ey-
crlasting life. We are not afraid
that it will make Mcthodists, or Bap-
fists, or Episcopalians out of them.
We cknow that in every heart where il 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 Meth
odist Church, we can bid them God
speed, knowing that he was predcstin-
ated thereunto, and that he will per-
severe in grace and be saved ncyerthe-
less.
1t IS cause for thankfulness that VIC
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"
Asa starting point, let US go back
across many centuries to a scene
which presents itself TO our minds
eye. A young man, dressed in tho
plain garb of Jewish peasant, is
seated on an elevation on the east of
Jerusalem. Around him are gathered
an even dozen men dressed in similar
fashion, showing that they arc from
the same humble station of life. T.ley
are all sun tanned and travel stained.
There is nothing in their appearance,
past history or present position. to
suggest that they were destined to cx-
crt any considerable influence on the
future thought and historyof the world.
The young man in the centre of the
group has just been making a startling
prediction in reference to the historic
city which lies below them, to the cf-
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 the affirmation, it is certain
ly most remarkable one in the cir
cumstances. Suppose some hostile
Pharisce had been present, what fine
opportunity for jest and derision:
"Whatl young man, your works never
pass away? What is to hinder? Who
is to preserve them? All the inAuen-
tial men of the nation arc against you,
laying plans even now &c rid them