The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-09-20
NEGLECTING THE BIBLE.
It is the Only Chart That Points the Way to
heaven.

There are thousands of people who have
not a Bible; there are thousands of Others
who have one, but who do not read 1t,
1t is hard to tell which class is in the
most pitiable condition.
The Bible is the oldest book in the
world 1t is beyond all comparison the
best book. 1t is Gods book In so far as
God is wiser and better than men, in so
far is the Bible better than any other
book Other books are read once or twice,
and then laid aside; but the Bible is read
and studied by millions every day of their
lives. The more they read it the more
they love it, and the newer and sweeter
it becomes to them The Bible is the only
book that teaches us what we are and
what we shall be in the life to come. 1t
is the only chart that points the way to
heaven. 1t is the only light that shines
upon the way They who neglect it STUN
BILE on in uncertainty and darkness.
When the Bible is all this and more to
mankind, how strange it is that so many
should neglect it.
Many people read and study and are
we'll informed on the teachings of almost
all other important books, and yet know
the Bible Not because these teachings
are unimportant, or difficult to learn, but
because of neglect.
Recently a man said to me: "a friend
of mine advanced doctrine l did not be-
lieve. l told him So + asked, did you
show him from the Bible he was wrong?"
mo, said he, / did not argue with him.
1 did not know enough about the Bible
to do that This is like man going to
war with a gun in his hands and not know
ing how to shoot it. 1t is a sin for a man
to let an evil go unrebuked when it is in
his power to check it.
In many a home, and even in protested
Christian homes, the Bible lies on the
table or shelf, and becomes covered with
dust. 1t is a neglected book.
A book agent visited an old lady and
proposed to sell her a Bible. She was in
dignant and said: "Do you think l am
heather and have no Bible? 1 will
show you that 1 have one" She looked
and looked for it, but could not find it.
She then called her daughter and asked:
Jane, where is my Bible?" ma, 1 think
1 saw it up in the loft among some old
books" go and bring it, She did so.
or pride to the book agent and said:
See here have Bible AS she opened
it she saw her spectacles and exclaimed:
Law, here are my spectacles l lost them
year ago and could not tell where they
were
The best people of the world are those
who have loved, read, studied and obeyed
the Bible. The worst people are chose
who neglect it.
Jesus said: Search the scriptures, for
i'm them we think We have eternal life, and
they are they which testify of me-
David said: II mediate in Thy law
day and night"
One reason why some people neglect the
Bible is, they have read light, trashy lit
erature until they have no taste for sound,
wholesome reading. 1 have known people
to eat dirt until they liked it better than
good food. OF course they were not
healthy, happy or wise; neither are they
who neglect the Bible. The Bible fur
nishes the only food for the immortal soul
to live and thrive upon. Their souls will
eternaly perish who neglect it. Is it wise
to perish in land of plenty?
J. A. STRADLEY.
Oxford, N. c.