The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-02
THE BIBLE THE BOOK OF BOOKS
DR.. Kingsbury Writes of the Divine Message the
Keystone of all Natural Greatness and True
Civilization.

book of morals. The Bible is inerrant
it is the Book of God. The Bible is not
only the Book OF books, but it is "a pre-
cious storehouse. and the Magma Charter
of Christian" 1t is the greatest book
in the universe for it is Divinely in
spired. 1t is pure and purifying as we'll
as most. sweet and graciously nourish-
ing. and has the greatest keeping power.
1t builds up and furnishes the true Be
lever with sure guide to holy living
that there may be holy dying, and gives
him what he needs for personal work for
God and dying humanity. 1t gives to the
children of men the blessed promises of
Jehovah vouchsafed through the Lord
Jesus Christ, the Son of God. To be-
lieveTs in the atoning, saving. Crucified
Saviour it brings the essentials he so
much needs-grace to help, peace, securi-
~, support in trials in Affections in be-
reavements answers prayer bestows
rest, strength, wisdom, guidance, COM
fort. joy, victcry over temptation and
even death, and opens to the vision of
the redeemed and sanctified soul glory,
resurrection. Heaven.
Some of the eminent men of modern
times have left their testimonies as to
the Bible. Some men of high genius
have written in great admiration of the
blessed and glorious worth of inspiration
and love, and in words of no uncertain
meaning. Sir William Jones, great
Oriental scholar, and once Chief Justice
of the English Supreme Court at Cal
cutta. wrote of it,
Il am of opinion that the Bible con-
tains more true sublimity, more ex-
quisite beauty, more pure morality, more
important history, and finer strains of
poetry and eloquence, than can be col
lccted from all other books, in whatever
age or language they have been writ
ten The illustrious Milton sublimest
of all poets. said There are no songs
comparable TO the songs OF Zion, no ora
tons equal to those of the Prophets, and
no politics like those the Scriptures
teach" Alexander Pope held that THE
pure and noble the graceful and digni-
fled simplicity of language is nowhere in
such perfection as in the Scriptures and
Homer. The whole book of Job, with re-
gard both to sublimty of thought and
morality, exceeds beyond all comparison
the most noble parts of Homer 1t would
he easy to multiply quotations from
gifted and eminent men concerning it,
The greatest creative genius since Mil
ton. Sir Walter Scott, the glory OF pro-
life Scotland. when nearing his 62nd
year. the close of his mortal life. said TO
his very gifted son-in-law. John q.
Lockhart: Give me the book. what
book" said LoclIhart. There is but one
Book, the Bible, said tn" immortal
genius. One more extract from a great
man of letters, Lord Macaulay. Will suf-
flee. This truly great writer said in his
essay on John Dryden. 'The English
Bible-a book which if everything else
in our language should perish. would
alone suffice TO show the whole extent Of
its beauty and power. These extracts
show the great literary value OF the
Biblc-its supremacy over all books.
Men who were not religious have ex-
allied it quite as much as the pious and
holy men of God. Even Benjamin Frank
lin. not a genuine Christian, |
think. wanted "a Bible in every
house" Goethe. the greatest genius
OF the Gcrmanic race, and by
no means model of morality,
declared that lit is a belief in the Bible,
the fruits of deep mediation, which has
served mo as he guide of my moral and
literary life" Locke held that the Bible
tho New Testament--in morality OK
cccds all the books of the world. I could
Gull some choice extracts from religious
mcn--Clcrgymen and laymen-as to the
character and value of the Eternal
Scriptures OF Inspiration. l give but one
selection now. The distinguished and
vcncratcd Bishop Horne, of the Estab-
lishcd Church of England, said with |
fclicitous pleasure: 'Indited under the
influence of Him. to whom all hearts are
known. they suit mankind in all situa-
lions. grateful as the mamma which de-
seconded from above. and conformcd itself /
TO every palate The farcst produc-
ticns of human genius, like gathered
flowers. withcr in our hands and lose
their fragrance: but Nthese unfadinE
plants of Paradise. become. as we are
accustomed TO them, more and more
beautiful; their bloom appears to be
daily heightened fresh odors are emit
ted. and new sweets are extracted from
them. He who has tasted their excel
lercies once, will desire to taste them
again: and he who tastes them the most
frequently will relish them the best
\ rich theme for a monthly or a public
address would be: The Bible: Its In
fucncc Upon The World" Let me de-
here. The Bible should be our daily
study. because it lis the keystone OF all
natural greatness and true civilization.
bccausc it is the ark in which is
frcishted our highest hopes and Srandest
realiyations, because il is the object of
tTucuicnt invective impudent SANDER and
irsdious attack: and because il is par
ticularly suitable TO our time our sphere
Of action. our country and our ncccssi-
ties. Let us turn away from trash and
immoral teachings to the consideration of
that Cook whose author is Jehovah.
whose mighty theme is Christ and the
Resurrection, tho salvation Of lost and
ruined aud helpless sinners. through the
supreme tragedy of the Cross, and
whose boon is Immortality and Heaven.
II hehooYcs us to refresh our memories
concerning; its lofty achievements in the
worlds history, because we live at