The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-01-10
And resnlt. ach,ered NV crltical stn.

and results achieved by critical stu.
dents OF the Bible and OF the lands
with which IL intimately associates
itself the more am | convinced that
the investigation is worth whatever IL
may cost and that il is proyidential.
And ! am also convinced that We
would do well 10 90 slow about dis
counting the opinions concerning the
Scripture and the facts therein re-
cited that have been held true i'm DAYS
long past. It 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 " demands proof
and evidence that heretofore was not
deemed necessary OF reyerent. But
the more We read and hear the more
We are led 10 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 IL, so 1t would seem,
and. II is very largely contirmatory
OF the past
The gates OF hell cannot prevail
against the Bible. For IL is the truth
full record of the largest lonCiugs. the
wickedest sins, the most delightful
religious eNaltations of individuals
and a people. Its human interest is
superb. IL meets our lives at every
point. II 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 ncnitent.
The farmer feels it's vitality, the
shepherd acknowledges it's appeal.
the rich man learns its lessons. the
poor man thanks God for its democ-
racy. II is the book OF the people.
for il is redolent with the life OF the
people. And wherever there is a soul
in torment. wherever there is man
who mourns, wherever there is a
woman with n 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, il speaks TO MS
honestly OF the deepest things OF life.
il warns us Of the consequences OF
evil and the satisfactions of right
eousness. The Bible $ as intclligible
10 youth rs TO old age. 1t has mes
sage for all. II can charm "A boy with
us utl bDH dS al man Win us DlOlOUnu
philosophy. II can animate girl as
il can inspire and intensity woman's
love for God. And il does these
things
And because n does il will never
grow stale or proftless or valueless.
II will ever stand. THE Word of our
God shall stand forever" II is etcr-
nal II is not the creature OF time.
Il is the child of eternity.
And it would stand forever IL for
no other reason than that II unfolds
the earthly history Of the inCarnate
God. So long MS the Bible speaks of
Christ il Will live For He is its 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 i'm Christ for
aid, 50 long will men love the Scrip
ture and magnify its force.
Shallow thinkers may enlarge tho
difficulties that inhcre within the
Scripture. Bad men NAV quote it
for their evil ends. Foolish men may
twist its meanings and assure us of
its fallibility But the Bible will
stand. II will stand forever. And
when we are gone and the countleas
generations that shall follow us have
come aud gone the long way i'm our
steps the Bible will he here. For It is
the Word Of the Lord. Let us never
forget Il, And IL shall endlessly per-
dure.