The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-11-11
THE BIBLE.

Editor Washington Herald:
Commissioner Macfarland. in his address
before the Sunday school workers in con-
.vention assembled, said, in speaking Of the
Bible: There is nothing 70 take its place.
and IL It should be wiped out tomorrow
you could easily predict the decline Of the
republic. For once, the Commissioner
and the writer are in fun accord.
have been looking mp some data on the
question. from which the following deduc-
tiOns are drawn:
A nation would indeed. be truly blessed
if II were governed by no other laws than
those of the Bible. It is so complete d
system that nothing can be added to il or
taken from #; it contains everything
needful 10 be known or done. il affords
a copy for a king and a rule for a sub
feet: IL gives instructions and counsel TO
the legislators authority and direction for
the chief magistrate: It cautions a wit
ness, requires an impartial verdict OF a
jury, and furnishes the Judge with his
sentence. Il sets the husband as lord OF
the household. and the wife a mistress
OF the table-tells him how 10 rule, and
her" how to manage II entails honor
to parents. and enjOins obedience TO chill
dren. II prescribes and limits the sway
OF the sovereign. the rule Of the ruler, and
the authority OF the master. Commands
the subjects TO honor and the servants
10 obey. and promises the blessing and
protection of the Almighty 10 ali that
walk by its rules. It gives directions for
weddings and for burials. II promises
food and raiment, and limits the use OF
both. Il points out a faithful and eternal
guardian 10 the departing husband and
fatheT-tells him with whom 10 leave his
fatherless children, and in whom his
widow is 10 trust; and promises a father
to the former and husband 10 the latter.
II is the first book. the best book. and the
oldest book in the world. II contains the
choicest matter, gives the best instruction.
affords the greatest pleasure and satisfac-
ton that ever was enjoyed. It contains
the best laws and the most profound mys-
teries that ever were penned; Il brings the
best tidings and affords the best OF com
fort to the inquiriEg and disconsolate. It
exhibits life and Immortality, and shows
the way TO glory II is q brief recital Of
all that is past, and a certain prediction
of all that is to come. It settles all mat
ter in debate, resolves all doubt. and
eases the mind and conscience Of all their
scruples. 1t reveals the only living and
true God, and shows the way TO Him, and
sets aside all other gods, and describes the
such. In short, IL Is a book Of laws. TO
show right and wrong; book OF wisdom.
that Condemns all folly and makes the fool
ish wise; a book Of truth, that defects all
lies and confutes all errors: and book
of life, that shows the way from everiast-
ing death. II is the most conlpendiouS
book in the world. the most authentic, and
the most entertaining history that eve-
was published. II contains the most v1n-
cradle antiquities, strange events, wonder
full occurrences. heroic deeds, unparalleled
vars; II describes the celestial. terrestrial
and internal worlds. and the origin or the
angelic myriads. human tribes, and devil
ish legions. Ii will instruct the mechanic
and the most profound artist It teaches
the best rhet0rician. and exercises every
power Of the most skillful arithmetician:
puzzles the wisest anatomist, and exer-
cises the incest critic. It cOrrects the vain
philosopher and confutes the unwise as
troRomer Tt exposes the subtle sophist,
and makes OWNERS mad. It is complete
code Of laws, L perfect body OF divinity,
and unequaled narrative; book Of lives.
a book OF travels, and a book Of voyages
1t Is the best covenant that ever was
agreed on. the best deed that ever was
sealed, the best evidence that ever was
produced, the best VIII that ever was made
anu tue pest testament Ilat ever NeS
sealed. To understand il is to be wise
indeed; to be ignorant of it IS TO be desti-
tute of wisdom. It is the kings best
copy, the presidents best rule, the house
wifes best guide. the servants best direc-
tory. and the young mans best COM
panioD; 1t is the school boys spelling
book and the learned mans masterpiece.
IT contains a choice grammar for nov
Ice, and profound mystery for sage Il
is the ignorant mans dictionary and the
wise mans directory. 1t affords knowl-
edge Of witty inventions for the humor-
Gus, and dark sayings for the grave; and
1t is its own interpreter. And that which
crowns all Is that the Author Is without
Partially and without hypocrisy In
whom is no variableness or shadow OF
turning" o. 7. BEAUMONT.
(TIM TICKLEl