The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-08-19


began afrcsh to study the Bible, but
vino had their minds tincturcd with
the crccds of centuries, were consider
ably handicapped: Is 1t any wonder II
some OF their conceptions Of correct
Bible Interpretation were rude and
crude? Have not our various Protes.
iant denominations marked fresh en-.
beavers to get nearer to the light?
Now rs we are In the dawning OF the
New Dispcnsation, and God Is lifting
the veil Of ignorance in general. Is It
any wonder that we can SEQ the true
teachings of the Bible more clearly
than did our forcfathcrs? Surely 1t Is
what we might expect. as well Ms what
The Bible distinctly declares: "rhe
mystery Of God shall he finished"
which He has kept secret from the
foundation OF the world.
Tho Difficulty at Present.
1t seems sad indeed that now, in the
dawning Of the New Era. and It's
clearer light on the Billie us well
as upon all things. so few Chris.
tinn people should be prepared TO
profit by these clearer views. Only In
our day is thorough Bible study posi-
bic for the majority In civilized lands.
for only OF late is there II sutliclency OF
education to admit OF intelligent Bible
study. What is the explanation of the
failure to make nsc Of all these bless.
ings. favors. privileges and opportuni.
ties for Bible Study? 1t Is loss Of faith;
rs Jesus said: when the Son OF Man
comcth, shall lie find the faith on the
carth:" 1t would appear that with
more advantages than any previous
generation. ours has less faith IN God
and less trust In the Bible ms Ills Word.
The cause Of this can readily be
traced, and it appalls US. Our great
institutions Of learning. founded by
our Biblc.loving. GOd-fearing forcfa.
Tiers, have become worldlywise. They
have followed the course OF leaning TO
human understanding. against which
We were forcwarned by God-that the
wisdom of this world Is foolishncss
with God and will perish.
Following the guidance OF so-called
Higher Critics. the rank and file Of
professors of colleges have lost their
faith. and Mt the present time. all over
Christcndom. are engaged in destroy.
Ing the faith of the most intelligent
young men and women OF the world
Having lost faith In the Bible them.
selves. they think they are doing
real service in destroying the faith of
others. Truly, they know not what
they do: MS the Bible declares, the wis.
dom Of our wise men has persisted:
tho understanding Of the prudent men.
the wealthy. etc. who govern these, Is
not APPRENTICESHIP 29:14.
With college graduates sneering at
the Bible. and ignoring Divine wor-
ship. except in the sense Of drawing
nigh with their lips, Is 1t any wonder
that the spirit Of this intidcity Is grad
ually extending to the masses-the less
educated? Is 1t any wonder that these
who have nothing In particular to gain
from religion except comfort and hope.
bereft Of these. care nothing for Bible
study or for church attendance. except
to hcnr the music or brilliant nd.
dress or to renew acquaintanceships?
Balm Of GiIead tho Remedy.
Tho ntNlts nI t.,htnh IE
the world from rapidly rushing on to.
ward socialism and anarchy. in utter
disregard Of God and His Divine ar.
rangements. Is return to Bible study.
Nor need the people be invited back to
study the Bible along the lines Of the
crceds. Indeed. IN order to attract at.
tcntlon to the Word Of God, It Is nee
cssary that Christians should unite In
smashing their creeds and In telling
the people rlatnty that these crceds
thoroughly miSrepresent the Divine
Character and the Divine Plan.
With other Bible Students | make
this my chief business In life. Having
found the true Message OF Gods Word
to he beautiful. cart-comfortlng and
Misunderstanding. we are prepared TO
recommend 1t to others aud to offer
them a helping hand out Of the mists.
fogs. MISUNDERSTANDING. mistransla-
tons and interpretations Of the Dark
Ages. Following the words Of Jesus
and the inspired Twelve. and the
Prophets Of old. we find TINT our God
is n wholly different one from the hor.
rihle pictrre.GOd In the creeds OF the
Dark Ages. We rejoice In the true
God. and IN tho true Savior. md in the
Spirit Of IIOliLrss. which comes TO us
as followers OF Christ In proportion as
We receive IiiEl and His teachings into
our hearts and lives