Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-05-23
EVOLUTION
Of the Printed Bible.
DR.. WiIIetts' Great Address Wed.
nesday Night.

SeJ '"Js
The opening of Wednesday evenings
session of the convention of the Ohio
Christian Missionary Society, was
marked by an especially impressive
and beautiful song and praise service
led by Prof. j. q. Hawes, Of Ada, as
sisted by the choir of the High street
Church of Christ.
By far the largest audience assemb-
led during the progress of the conven-
ton, greeted the speakers of the even-
ing. At the conclusion of the praise
service, President Rev. G. W. Huffer
announced the devotional bible study
for the evening, philemon: The Re-
serve of a Slave" as commented on
and analyzed by Rev. II. L. Willett,
of Chicago. The story of the slave of
Philemon, who, having run away,
and, being placed in the company and
soci, " of the Apostle Paul, was con>
verted to Christianity. Finally, being
ordered by Paul to return to his mas,
ter, he did so, taking with him the epis.
tie, Which was ably analyzed and ex,
planned by Mr.. Willett. The lessons
to be taken from this simple story
were Illustrated and elaborated by the
speaker in a mastery and convincing
| manner.
A message was received announcing
that Rev. G. L. Wharton, who was to
have delivered the address of the even
| ing, on "The Unity Of Missions" was
at home, confined to his bed by Illness.
This changed the program, and Rev.
| Wharton's address was replaced by
another address by Rev. III. L. Will
lett.
In the meantime, visitors We're in
troduced, among others Rev. VIM. r.
Lloyd, of Kentucky; Rev. Geo. Il.
Dew, of Missouri Rev. z. II. Bates,
of the Rudolph church; Rev Randolph
Cook of the Chillicothe church; Rev.
John Encell formerly a preacher of
the High street church in Akron. All
these ministers made short addresses.
Rev. J. D. Tyler was the last of those
called upon to speak.
The address of Rev. Willett who
filled the place in the program, made
vacant by the illness of Rev. G. L.
Wharton, was greeted with applause
His address dealt with the bible and
of bibles. beginning with a description
of collection of bibles in London.
"The bible Is the most wonderful
book in the world, and the possession
of one has often been fraught with
danger.
"When Luther took from a convent
the copy of the Latin bible, read fol
the first time the wonderful words and
afterward gave them to the world, a
great step forward in world history
had been taken.
"Soon all of hts people who possess
ed even the beginnings of an education
could read the Word Of God, each II
his own tongue.
"Then came a new danger to the hi
BILE, not danger of persecution or tyran
ny. but of ridcule under the slashine
wit of Voltaire and others of his time
"The next great danger to the bible
was that of the period of rationalism
"It was asserted that there were con
tradictions in the WORK which woulc
accomplish it's own downfall and dis
integration. Doubts We're raised as Il
the authenticity of the writings. II
was boldly asserted that people coult
believe only through the magnetism
and personal ability OF their preachers
"The champions of the bible wer,
challenged to any investigation tt
ascertain the truth, and 1t was declared
that they dared not take up the gaunt
let,
"The result Of the investigation
which resulted has been immeasurably
significant, from the standpoint OF
Christian faith.
"The bible is the most interesting
book in the world. Its poetry is un
approached In grandeur It's eloquenct
and the power Of its oratory are be
yond compare. 1t is the most import
ant book in the world, because it'
truths are the most important, its com
mands and lessons the most import
ant in the world.
"IastIy the bible Is the most neg
lected book in the world. We would
consider 1t reflection on our intelli
gence, If when asked n we had reat
the latest popular novels, we woult
have to say no..
"Yet, how many OF us, If asked
would be compelled by truth to con
fess that we had not read the greatest
books in the bible for years?"