The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-09-08

gave them no compuEctiop whatever. Time
was, and not long since, when they were
most punctilious about sending their chill
dren to Sunday-school. The widest wind
and the foulest weather would not pass
with them as an excuse for allowing the
boys and girls to stay at home. There was
no such stTictness these last years. but
weeks of ,Sabbaths went by and failed to
record single present mark for any OF the
children on the rolls of the Sunday y-schoo'.
Therefore, sentiment gone. Ss:o"latloa
their religious life having become thing
of the past, and their corsciences having
grown sluggish. thev had no more use for
the Old Book 1t wcs too bulky to move;
they would keep the family record, but the
sacred pages and covers which had gwen
it it's inclosure and setting, they would
throw away.
Were there ever sadder story? 1t
makes one weep to think OF it. And yet 1t
is the story of thousand homes in this
community, of hundred thousand homes
in this city. 1t Is what some OF you are are
coming to. dear friends, unless you take
warning. Let this Bible give You such
warning tonight. May it ever be warn
ing to every family of this church.
As often as the eyes OF those worshiplng
here shall rest upon it, may it speak, to
them its solemn message with a voice tnat
cannot be drowned-!et not the fire burn
low on your hearthstone, but keep up the
freside glow. See that your home is in
touch with the church Suffer not your
family altar to become ruin. Have
family Bible and use it. Take care that
mildew spots, like those which [ find here
that are always signs of disuse. are not al
lowed to mar it. Read the O.d Book to
Your children. Read it to Your own SOUL
Without it your home life. will grow, hol-
;orate, your own soul shrivel up and die.
Thus this Bible shall stand as memo
rial to a typically dete-iorated New York
home, and as warning to the families
that have not likewise deteriorated, but
shall it not also be at the same time
memorial to something higher and more
iIspirins-to the glorious character and
ministry of the word of God as an abiding
and ever expanding power among men!
Here is fountain that was long sealed.
but it has begun to flow, and its streams
shall water not one home but thousand.
This book so seldom used before snail be
cpened with every recurring service within
this house of prayer, to be read, eSpound-
ed and applied to the multiplying hun
dreds that shall worship here. This Bible
was QlSOWHeQ, ueSeCIItSu, |oS ooe as 49,
bish into the street, only to be recovered,
honored. set in hi gh place. elevated to a
pubic throne from which it will issue
Verdict of condemnation upon this home
and every home in this city that has
turned God from it's door. but will speak
comfort, hope and strength to those. with:
in which the word of God dwells and exer-
cises its heavenly dominion. While this,
book shall utter its admonitioa, then, lett
it also speak forth it's word Of encourage
ment and triumph. telling all who shal!
henceforth behold it that the word of God
liveth and abideth forever; that however
much men may attack it and seek to de-
stroy it, it shall come out of every battle;
thousand fold stronger than before, and
light circle that extends far beyond its
former perimeter OF influence.
"a glory gi!ds the sacred page,
Majestic as the sun:
It gives a light to every age;
It giveth, but bor-ows none"