The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-08-12
TRULY WORD OF GOD
Inspiration Of Bible Can Never Be
Doubted by One Who Has
Read II.
THE Bible was never so thoroughly
studied as during the last hall

century, and IL never had SO many
readers as today. The amount OF
writing that is being done on the
Bible at this time is astonishing, ana
this fact is significant of the vitality
Of its teaching.
But there are writer's that analyze
the Bible as one might analyze
house-by taking II to pieces. and re-
ferring each several part to its origin.
These pine boards they would say
came from Oregon: this flooring is
oak from Missouri; these nails are OF
wire, machine made, from Wisconsin
iron: this plaster was made from liz
nois limestone, and is surface-coated
with calcined gypsum from Iowa; this
furniture is mahogany from the west
Indies. originally freighted In Amer.
can vessels; these are wool rugs OF
European weave. and from Scotch
sheep" Similarly they would analyze
and refer to its Original source eV-
cry piece OF bric-a-brac. every personal
ornament, and every token OF anec-
ton.
house, and the fact lost sight OF In
such analysis, is that II is home
Here a young man brought his BRIDE
and they began life together; here e'-
erything was consecrated by the sa-
credness Of affection and Is eloquent
with devotion: here children were
born and Joy abounded; here the anger
ef death entered and tears OF sorrow
| flowed: here hope burned, flickered'
| and revived; here faith was tried
fidelity proved. and love tested. The
analysis Of the house Is comparatively
unimportant This was a home. and
that is the significant fact.
Bible a Spiritual Home.
The Bible likewise is both house
and a home. Many writer's busy them
selves analyzing only the house, per
forming their work with such real zeal
that onlookers are apt to overestimate
| it's importance. The writer's seem to
forget, or fail to discern. that the Bi
BILE is a spiritual home, a place where
hearts learn to love, where spiritual
children are born, reared and trained
to live as one family.
There are writer's and teachers also
who go to the opposite extreme. who
simply reiterate the old things In the
old way, who read into the Bible much
medieval theology and keep on dealing
with questions which have lost theil
vitality. who catch no new vision, and
feel no thrill OF new meanings ano
applications. 4.
Volumes have been written about
the inspiration, of the Bible, bs~" -
need not spend a moment arguAnf
that the Bible is inspired. Read 1t!
Does not the voice of God speak Il
your soul through It? There can be
no revelation to him who has not "ear'
to hear" The very atmosphere may
be vibrant with voices of God without
revealing anything to deaf ears. was
walking one day with a friend who
as We walked, inquired about the sons
OF a bird. | described the sound as
best ! could, and then asked: Car
you not hear it," No" he replied
Where? The bird is not singing now
IL IT." But the bird was singing neal
US in ecstatic strain. The revelation o.
Gods voice comes, like the song OF
bird, not by description or argument
but by hearing. Christ was ever say
ing to the multitude: He that haiti
cara to hear. let him hear" Two mel
look at a painting Of one Of the gres
masters, or at a landscape when ma
ture has on her garments Of glory
One remains stolid and unmoved
while the other is thrilled and uplifted
Argument il unavailing for the stolit
man. Great paintaings OF landscapes
are not things to be argued about Of
even described. They must be seen
There Is no revelation OF beauty ex
cept for the soul that can discern
beauty. The Bible has beauty FOL
eyes that can see. music for ears tina
can hear. and wealth OF revelation fo
souls that can discern and appreciate
Bible Ever Practical.
II is alleged that the Bible is I'm
practical. Those who find the Bible
impracticable are those who find II in
terfering with their selfish desires
II you put the Bible into the hand o
the thief when he is caught with
stolen goods, he will say: 1T is al
impracticable book. II | follow thi
book | must restore the products o
my theft and possibly go to prison
That is precisely the practical thin
required II homes are to be safe ant
society secure. Put the Bible int,
the hands OF those who have stolel
and grated from the government, ant
they will tell you that 1t is not practi
cal, that II they follow this book the.
must disgorge millions. The peopl
: think that such disgorging is the on
thing that needs doing, Put the Bibl
into the hands OF the great trusts
which control the necessities OF life
and they will at once say tina; IL 4
! not practical. that II they follow thi
! book they must stop exploiting tn
. people, and squeeze the water out o
{ dividend, bearing stocks. The peopl
y think that just these things must b
D done before society can come TO a fai
living basis. 10 say nothing OF cond
: ton OF peace and coptentmsnt. Tn
practical nature OF the Bible lies Il
the fact that Il requires men at tn