The Brandon news., 1908-01-09

and results achieved by critical stu
dents of the Bible and of the lands
with which 1t intimately associates
itself the more am I convinced that
the investigation Is worth whatever it
may cost and that it is providential.
And | am also convinced that we
would do well to go slow about dis
counting the opinions concerning the
Scripture and the facts therein re-
cited that have been held true in days
long past. 1t is a good thing that we
should remember that the sum of
human wisdom is not resident in us
and that our forefathers were not
fools. This is an intensely critical
and scientific age. 1t demands proof
and evidence that heretofore was not
deemed necessary or reverent. But
the more we read and hear the more
we are led to believe that the fathers,
in 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 1t, so 1t 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
full record of the largest longings, the
wickedest, sins. the most delightful
religious exaltations of individuals
and a people. It's human interest is
superb. 1t meets our lives at every
point. 1t has comfort for the SORROW
ing. peace for the afflicted. inspiration
for the heavy-hearted, enthusiasm for
the discouraged, admonition' for the
wicked, salvation for the penitent.
The farmer feels its 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.
for 1t Is redolent with the life OF the
people. And wherever there is a soul
in torment, wherever there is a man
who mourns, wherever there is a
woman with broken heart, wherever
there is mind in gloom, or a body
that is racked with pain, there will
the Bible be and be enjoyed For it
radiates good cheer, it speaks to us
honestly Of the deepest things of life,
it warns us of the consequences OF
evil and the satisfactions Of right
eousness. The Bible IS as ineligible
to youth as to old age. 1t has a mes
sage for all. 1t can charm boy with
its heroes as a man with its profound
philosophy. 1t can animate a girl as
1t can inspire and intensity woman's
love for God. And it does these
things.
And because it does it will never
grow stale or profltless or valueless.
1t will ever stand. "The Word OF our
God shall stand forever" It is eter-
nal. 1t is not the creature of time.
1t Is the child of eternity.
And 1t would stand forever IL 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. 1t 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.