Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-04-09

preached by Rev. H. ]. Cauthen, the
able pastor of Trinity, and was an un-
usually fine effort, very much enjoyed
by all present. His subject was the
Bible and what 1t has done for Chris
tian countries, especially the United
States, and a reasonably comprehen-
sive synopsis of the sermon will be
found in the following:
1t is fitting that we should study, on
this occasion, the great book which
the Bible society Is striving to circu-
late. l want to study with you the
philosophy Of the Bibles influence
and power. l take 1t that no intelli-
gent man will gainsay the assertion
that the Bible is the basis Of every
thing that is noble and great in our
civilization. 1t Is the basis OF the
greatest civilization which the world
has known. You have only to COM
pare the several nations Of the world
to come to an appreciation Of the BIZ
ble's significance. Those nations
which have not had the Bible as their
guide book have been stagnant, while
the Bible lands have risen to great
ness and influence. No American will
deny the superiority of his country as
compared with other nations and he
must admit the Bible as the basis OF
our greatness. The thirty thousand
Bibles purchased by the government
for distribution through the coionies
during the revolution were the sharp
est and most effective swords welded
IN the interest Of liberty.
In addition to the witness Of his
tory we have the testimony OF the
worlds greatest men to establish our
contention as to the Bibles power In
the making Of men and nations. Wal
ter Scott, on his deathbed, declared
that there was but one book-the Bi-
BILE. Thos. Carlyle, w. e. Gladstone,
Thos. Jefferson and a host of the
worlds intellectual giants have given
the Great Book first place. The Bible
Is, and has been, the most potent In
fiuence in the making Of civilization.
1t is the spring from which have
sprung the rivers of civilization; the
sun from which has come the light
which has dissipated the darkness of
barbarism; the dynamo from which
has emanated the power Of nations
and men.
The Bibles potentiality has con-
sisted in the fact that 1t has furnished
tho highest ideals and models that the
world has known. In every sphere OF
life 1t has furnished exalted ideals:
In the literary world the Bible
lands have stood in the forefront and
their primacy is due to the fact that
they have had. the Bible to guide
them. The great masters of litera-
ture have drawn their themes from
the Bible. Milton, the immortal,
wrote Of the Paradise Of the Bible
Shakespeare, Tennyson, Longfellow,
Kipling have drawn upon the Biple
for their most lofty themes and Ideals.
And not only has the Bible furnished
themes, but 1t has set the pace. Da-
vid. in his Psalms, has sung more
sweetly than any poet that has lived.
His twenty-thiro Psalm Is the SUBJ
limest poetical production In litera-
ture. isaiah and st. John head the
list of the masters Of prose.
And in art che Bible nations have
led, the Bible supplying the themes.
Michael Angelo and Raphael are the
acknowledged masters and they paint
ed Bible pictures and sculptured BIZ
BILE characters.
In architecture nothing in any age
has euualled the great cathedrals IN
Italy and England. In music the
greatest masters have had as their
greatest themes the themes OF the 81.
bile. Haydn sang Of the creation;
Reethoyen of the cross; Handel OF
the Messiah.
And the Bible nations have had the
highest moral and religious STANDARDS.
No book has approached the Bible In
its moral and religious character. mo-
where can you find the equals OF Moses
for meekness and manhood; OF Joseph
for incorruptibleness; Of Job for pa
tience: OF Daniel for integrity; OF
Jesus for perfection.
The Bible, indeed, is the residuum
Of the highest and noblest Ideal tnat
men have known.
But the Bibles potentiality has con-
sisted not only in its lofty ideals, but
in its record of heroic achievement. the
world has been inspired and enthused
by the story of the matchless herotsm
of the Bible. He who reads the story
of st. Paul as he revolutionized the
Gentle world must be thrilled and in
spired to the noblest endeavor. His
heroism breeds heroism in those who
study him.
The Bible has drawn out men, too,
in that II has impressed them as no
other book has with the awful signif-
icance Of human life. No other book
has made so much Of man; has given
him so important a place In life, and
as mer have read the Bibles estimate
of humanity they have striven to
measure up to the responsibility OF
their being.
Finally, the Bible has been powerful
in the making Of men and nations In
that 1t has given assurance OF Divine
assistance in every human enterprise.
When men have contemplated mighty
undertakings they have been encour-
aged and cheered through their belief
in the assistance Of the omnipotent
God.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Cauthen's
sermon the business meeting was
called to order by Rev. w. c. Ewart,
the president and opened by the read
ing and approval Of the minutes OF the
previous meeting.
The report of the treasurer showed
1855 on hand at the beginning OF the
year, 1854 received since from books
sold and $39.61 received from collec-
tions and donations. OF this $56.72
was paid the American Bible society on
book account, the sum OF 1928 was
paid out for expenses and the amount
on hand at the close Of the year was
s39.51. At the beginning Of the year
the depository had on hands books TO
the value Of $93.O2, and received addi-
tional books during the year to the
value of $56.72 making a total OF
s14s.74. The value Of books sold dur
ing the year was 1854, s1.60 worth OF
books were donated and there are in
the depository books to the amount OF
$62S0.
A canvass Of the congregation re-
suited in the securing Of about thirty
memberships at so cents each, and Of
flcers for the ensuing year were elected
as follows: Rev. W. c. Ewart, presi-
dent; Rev. DR.. S. A. Weber, E. T..
Gillespie, ]. o. Babin, H. j. Cauthen
and l. G. Murray, vice presidents.
Hon. ]. S. Brice declined reelection
as secretary and treasurer on the
ground that he had performed his
share Of service in that position and
Mr.. ]. B. Pegram was elected in his
stead. Mr. w. M. Kennedy was re-
elected depositary and the executive
oopono;ttaa oonsistinp of one member