The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-09-08

gave them no compunction 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 strictness 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-school.
Therefore, sentiment gone, association
and memory having loosened their grasp,
their religious life having become 4 thing
of the past. and their conscences having
grown sluggish, they had no more use for
the Old Book 1t was too bulky to move;
they would keep the family record, but the
sacred pages and covers which had given
it it's inclosure and setting, they would
throw away.
Were there ever a sadder story? 1t
makes one weep to think of it. And yet it
is the story of a thousand homes in this
community, of hundred thousand homes
in this city. 1t is what some of you are
coming to. dear friends, unless you take
warning. Let this Bible give YOU such a
warning tonight. May it ever be warn
ing to every family of this church.
As often as the eyes of those worshiping
here shall rest upon it, may 1t speak to
them its solemn message with voice that
cannot be drowned-let not the fire burn
low on your hearthstone, but keep up the
fireside glow. See that your home is in
touch with the church. Suffer not your
family altar to become 4 rum. Have a
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 Old Book to
your children. Read it to your own soul.
Without it your home life will grow hol-
low and unholy, your children will deter
iorate, your own soul shrivel up and die.
Thus this Bible shall stand as memo
rial to a typically deteriorated New York
home, and as warning. to the tamlhes
that have not likewise deteriorated, but
shall it not also be at the same time
memorial to something higher and more
inspiring-to the glorious character and
ministry of the word of God as an abiding
and ever expanding power among men
Here is a 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
oDened with every recurring service within
this house of prayer, to be read. eXponnd-
ed and applied to the multiplying ham
dreds that shall worship here. This Bible
was disowned, desecrated, cast out as rub
bish into the street, only to be recovered.
honored. set in high place. elevated to a
public throne from which it will issue a
verdict of condemnation upon this home
and every home in this city that has
turned God from its door, but will speak
comfort. hope and strength to those. with
in which the word of God dwel,s and exer-
cises its heavenly dominion. While thi.
book shall utter its admonition. then. let
it also speak forth its word Of encourage,
ment and triumph. telling all who shall
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
a thousand fold stronger than before. and
light a circle that extends far beyond its
former perimeter OF influence.
"a cory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic as the SUM-
1t gives light to every age: =.
1t giveth, but borrows none."