Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1908-01-16
DEPOSITS FROM 500 UP TAKEN.

is as inspired as it ever was. No theo-
logical statement, however learned or
carefully worded, can alter the fact.
It the examination of the Scripture
has restated the grounds for our be-
lief in the divinity of Christ, it has
been simply to intensity our inteliec--
tual acceptance of the fact of His,
divineness. For He who was the full
ness Of grace and truth depends not
on any theological formula for DEM
onstration or justifcation.. For He
was divine ere men began to prove
Him so.
We ought to be thankful that the,
test has come. For out of the fire
has emerged stronger faith in the
inspired Word of God, a clearer COM
prehension of the reasons for our
faith. And it were worth while to
go through fire and through food to
secure that.
Criticism has eliminated many a
perplexity. 1t has clarified much of
the obscurity of the Scripture rec
ords. It has brought the testimony
of the four ends of the earth to the
substantiation of the accuracy in
every essential part Of Gods most
Holy Word. It has given US larger
knowledge. 1t has given us q surer
knowledge. Except for those who
| were nearest to the events that are
chronicled in Scripture there has been
| none more ar ,:lrately Informed, so
| far as we have light, concerning the
| facts Of Scripture than are we to-day.
The more I read OF the researches
and results achieved by critical stu
l h. IL l. - y,
| with which it intimately associates
| itself the more am l Convinced that
| the investigation is worth whatever it
| may cost a2d taat it is proyidential.
| AID I am also convinced that we
| would do we'll to go slow about dis
I counting t. -,.:.ic--- "o'feeIni-- rhe,
Scripture "a - facts tier Elm re-
cited that have been held true in days
long rsst. It is a good thing that we
should rem msllL Ler that the sum of
| human wisdom is lot resident in us
| and that our forefatrers we're not
! fools. This is al intensely critical
and scientific age. 1. ..c-,ards proof
and evidence that heretofore was rot-
| deemed necessary or reverent. But
the more we read and hear the more
we are led to believe that the fathers.
III not SO Informed and scientific an
age, were not so deluded when they
accepted on faith that for which we
demand proof. For we get the proof
When we ask for it, SO it would seem.
and it is very largely confirmatory
of the past.
The gates Of hell cannot prevail
against the Bible. For it is the truth
ful record Of the largest longings. the
Wlckedest sins, the most delightful
religious exaltations of individuals
and people. It's human interest is
superb. It meets our lives at every
point. 1t has comfort for the SORROW
Ing, peace for the afflicted, inspiration
Tor the heavy-hearted, enthusiasm for
the discouraged, admonition for the
wicked, salvation for the penitent.
The farmer feels it's vitality. the
shepherd acknowledges it's appeal.
the rich man learns its lessons. the
poor man thanks God for it's democ-
racy 1t is the book of the people.
Tor 1t Is redolent with the life of the
people. And wherever there is soul
In torment. wherever there is man
VINO mourns. wherever there is a
woman with broken heart, wherever
there is a mind in gloom, or a BODY
that is racked with pain, there Will
the Bible be and be enjoyed. For st
radiates good cheer, It speaks to us
honestly of the deepest things of life.
1t warns us of the consequences Of
evil and the satisfactions OF right
eousness. The Bible IS as ineligible
TO youth as to old age. It has 4 mes
sage for all. 1t can charm a boy with
It's heroes as man with It's profound
philosophy. It can animate girl as
It can inspire and intensity a woman's
love for God. And it does these
things.
And because It does it will never
grow stale or profitless or valueless.
1t will ever stand. "The Word of our
God shall stand forever" It is eter-
nal. It is not the creature of time.
It is the child of eternity.
And it would stand forever if for
no other reason than that it unfolds
the earthly history of the incarnate
God. So long as the Bible speaks Of
Christ it will live. For He is it's in
spiration. The revelation Of Him is
Its mission. And so long as men shall
sin and need salvation, SO long as
souls shall turn to God in Christ for
aid, so long will men love the Scrip
ture and magnify its force
Shallow thinkers may enlarge the
difficulties that inhere within the
Scripture. BAD men may quote it
for their evil ends. Foolish men may
twist its meanings and assure us OF
its fallibility. But the Bible will
stand. It will stand forever. And
when we are gone and the countless
generations that shall follow us have
come and gone the long way in our
steps the Bible will be here. For 1t Is
the Word of the Lord. Let US never
forget It! And it shall endlessly per-
dure..