Evening journal., 1909-03-23
WHAT If BIBLE
WERE BURNED +?
Pastor Alison Answers Maj
Would Still Have Idea of
Immortality


In West Presbyterian Church on sun
day night the Rev. Alexander Alison, Jr.,
preached on the subject What il All the
Bibles Were Burned Mr.. Alison took as
his text Jeremiah SO. Discussing his text
Mr.. Alison said:
THE Prophet jeremiah came to the Is
raelltish Kingdom at a time OF spiritual
declension. Gods chosen people were apos-
tate. The book of the law had been so
lcng neglected it was virtually a loss
memory. Faithfully the prophet delivered
his messages of admonition and warning.
For his pains he was rewarded with hat
red and abuse. When at last he boldly
foretold the overthrow Of the kingdom
and the destruction OF Jerusalem he was
seized and thrust into prison.
Prom the dungeons depth the prayers
Of this weeping prophet climbed to
Heavens height TO move the power that
moves the world TO bring salvation nigh.
God gave jeremiah faithful scribe who
committed 10 writing the prophecies OF
those fateful times. And God arranged
that the warnings OF his suffering servant
should be given a public hearing. When
the multitude heard the prophecies OF
doom they were filled with consterna-
ton. Spiritual panic cast the city into an
uproar. The King gave command that the
prophets words should be read in his
hearing. The scroll was placed in the
hands OF Jehudi, one OF the courtiers who
began the reading. Stop said the King.
when he had reached one OF the consci-
ence-smiting passages of the law, like
not that sentiment. Take your pen-knife
and cut those words out OF the roll The
operation was repeated when a second and
a third distastefnl rebuke was reached. At
length, thoroughly enraged at the pro-
phetic maledictions. he gave orders TO
cast the scroll into the fire burning in tie
brazier close at hand. Doubtless the King
was relieved. The troublesome book was
destroyed. But. alas its warnings and ad-
monitions remained. Truth is indestruct-
ible
I'VE have to-day. the same book of the
law. The hostile critics. who style them
selves Biblical experts. are scrutinizng
every section OF the old volume and maxi
ing a liberal use Of the penknife and fire
wherewith 70 eliminate those passages
which do not comport with their pre-dc-
termined theories as to authorship, his
toricity and trustworthiness. Meanwhile
the enemies of truth, the lovers Of the
world and the whole multitude OF the un-
godly stand by looking on. Earnestly they
lon gto hear that the Scriptures have been
discredited The moral precepts Of this
book they will not follow. But they would
be more comfortable I'm their sins could
/ they be assured that these precepts were
| finally found to be untrustworthy.
But suppose all the Bibles could be
burnedy Would wicked men be any better
on? The bare. BALD facts of mans intuitive
consciousness would remain. but these in
tuitions would be robbed OF the grateful
light which the revelations OF Scripture
throw upon them. Man would still have an
intuitive idea Of some infinite power out
side Of himself. From design he would
argue a designer. From the order he OBJ
serves I'm the world lying all about him
he would reason back 20 an arranger. Man
would stlll have a conscience wherewith
10 determine between the worse and the
better reason. Even where the Bible has
never been heard of men are conscious Of
having offended the Power not themselves
that maketh for righteousness To dis
charge their intuitive obligations to this
powerful Being they bend the knee and
| kindle fires under their sacrihcial altars.
II there were no Bibles men would stili
have the intuitive idea of Immortality. The
human soul is instinct with Immortality.
The Egyptians wrapped their dead loved
ones in byssus bands, cherishing the fond
hope that the deserted house of flesh
might again be inhabited. The Arabs
buried the shiek's horse close by him
that in the happy land the master might
not be without his faithful war steed.
without the Bible these pagan people have
dreamed OF immortality. but alas. they
have only cherished the dream. We have
the light of Gods word upon the problem
Of the future life. Our hope Of immortal
lity is not a dream but a reality.