The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-05-13
It is Unfair.

NeaFly all persons, "llen they begin 10
grow skeptical, gradually begin to leave
oil the usual means necessary to Chris
tian growth. and the increase of Chris
tian knowledge. They grow cold, and
lose interest in prayer. In fact, they
doubt the necessity for prayer. The
Bible is the foundation on which true
christianity rests; but they cease to
read it, With a devout and prayerful
spirit, searching to know it's inner spir-
ritual meaning. They read all the books
they can find against the Bible, books
trying to show that it is not infallible
and divine. They cease, or almost cease,
attending the house of God. II they go,
it is more in the spirit OF critics than of
worshippers. This is manifestly unfair,
No man can arrive at truth without hon
estly and thoroughly studying both sides
of q question. There is no other book
like the Bible. 1t is Gods Book. 1t is
inspired. God breathed into holy men of
old the truths it contains. 1t has an in
ward and outward meaning. The out
ward meaning may be cOmprehended from
a historical, scientific and common sense
point Of view. The inward meaning can
only be understood by the devout and
spiritual. The natural man receiveth
not the things Of the spirit of God, for
my LIZ uAto Ill
can he know them, because they are
spiritually disconcerned. 1t is only the
inner, spiritual meaning that can en-
tighten mems minds, and quicken them
into spiritual life. An unregenerated per
son can never know the deeper. life
giving meaning of the Bible. Here lies
the great trouble with skepticS. They
have never been made New creatures
in Christ Jesus or, if they have, they
are living cold, Inconsistent Christian
lives. | believe that every genuine Chris
tan will love, believe and obey the
Bible; and Will not be troubled with
doubts about its inspiration, or truthful
ness. The Christians new nature, and
spiritual life are in perfect accord with
the teachings Of the Bible. He has a
profound, unmistaken inner conscious
ness that the Bible is true. The great
need of the times is more, not of formal.
but of genuine Christianity. Just in pro-
portion as this prevails, skepticism will
decrease. Genuine Christianity is a SOW
ereign cure for all s.. apticism and unbe-
lief. The skeptic speculates, theorises,
and tries to believe his theories, but the
Christian knows; I'VE know that we
have passed from death into life etc.
Il know we know that if this earthly
house of our tabernacle were dissolved
We have an house not made with hands,
eternal i'll the heavens" / know that |
love my mother; l know equally Well
that | love Jesus. l know that | once
loved sin, but | now know that | hate
sin and love holiness. This radical
change has been wrought by the teach
ings of the Bible. Nothing else could do
it. The Bible must be true-it is divine.
it is not in conflict with reason, or true
science, but rises far above them. as God
is wiser than men.
Millions nave believed the Bible. the
whole Bible, and have lived pure. useful
Christian lives, and have died rejoicing
in the full assurance of a blessed i'm
mortality. When death comes | would
rather be the humblest Christian than
the most learned critic of the world.
1t is hard to believe that any man can
die an honest doubter of the divine origin
and truthfulness of the Bible. Col. Ethan
Allen, of evolutionary fame, was an
avoWed skeptic. His wife was a devoted
Christian. They had a lovely daughter.
When Col, Allen was dying, the daugh-
ter said: Father, you have taught me
not to believe in the Bible or Christian
lty, mother has taught me the opposite.
Which shall | believer" The father said
with the honesty of a dying man: My
daughter, believe and follow your moth
err. II all doubters, higher critics, and
skeptlcs, would become humble, genuine
Christians, and would read and study the
Bible as they dd books about the Bible,
or against the Bible, then they would
show fairness-they would see both sides
of the question; and the side Of God and
the Bible would be seen to contain moth
ing but pure, 1ife-giving truth.
j. A. STRADLEY.
oxford. n. G..