Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-26
II CHRISTIAN enoeabor 1our
H. Bp 4arbtp q. 3r,pin II

great Cnange. 1T dlSturpS the WOrl0
complacency in many ways; but its pur-
pose is not to disarrange the worlds or
der or regularity by producing an uproar
among the peopie-not to turn the world
upside down, but to upset and destroy
the kingdom of the devil in the world.
When that Is accomplished. as it will be
In the final achievements of the gospel,
then will the world be fully set right side
up.
The Bible has no competitors among all
is acknowledged not only by the great
divines. but by the great statesmen and
literary geniuses of the world. Much
has been truthfully and beautifully writ
ten OF its uneaualed poetry. sublime ora
tory and matchless literary qualities.
In all lines it is the pre-eminent book
of all books. But its paramount value
is in its instruction for righteousness: in
its power to uplift and redeem men from
the guilt and the consequences Of sin.
1t is called the Book, by way OF emf
nence and distinction. because 1t con-
tains the whole will Of God necessary to
be known for mans salvation: all things
needed for faith and practice It's utter
mighty, that are perfect, pure and i'm
mutable pointing the way to heaven. :.
y X
Jot or Title
The greatest Of Christian obligations is
to be thoroughly furnished in knowledge
of the Bible and then to teach 1t to the
people. 1t is the book for the people.
On its acceptance as the guide land man
of our counsel depend civil and religious
liberty. 1t is the basis of every desirable
expectation and attainment for the pres
ent and for the future.
1T is full and complete and no additions
are to be made to it. ! do not doubt
that men are today inspired of God to do
many great and good things for the ad-
vancement OF truth and righteousness,
but I do not believe that any one since
the days Of the apostles has been, or
will be inspired to add one jot or title to
the revealed word, which closes with
these fearful and solemn words:
IF any man shall add unto these
things. God shall add unto him, the
plaques that are written in this book;
and If any man shall take away from the
words of the book of this prophecy, God
shall take away his part out Of the book
of life. and out of the holy city, and
from the things which are written in this
book
The ignorance of the heather people,
their peculiar customs and habits. or their
strange. superstitious beliefs do not give
alter the plain word of the Bible mes
sage. l commend the words Of Prof.
Gustav Warneck in his letter to the Edin-
burgh Missionary Conference:
1.-The effort to reach non-Christian peo-
pies. and to bring them into the heart of
the gospel must never lead US to alter
the content of the gospel proclaimed
by the apostles. The vital impulses
which lie at the root of Christian mis-
sionary effort equally with the forces by
be regenerated are contained in the
gospel of Christ, as the apostles pro-
claimed it. and which they knew by ex-
perience to be the power of God unto
,yxrot Hon, hot hn1io
Casual Reader.
BY the expression 1.-The plain word of
the Bible" do not mean to suggest that
the Scriptures are to be taught by the
mere casual reader. While there are some
teachings so plain that 'he who runs
may read there is SO much of deep sig
niicance beauty and power in the Scrip
lures that diligent and eager study is
demanded.
Ignorance of the Bible stands in the
way of all useful Christian effort.
In our day and generation, although it
Is In the twentieth century of the Chris
tian era. there is sad lack of Bible
home as it was in past years; and in the
Sabbath schools there are comparatively
few skilled teachers. The need of a
trained teacher for religious instruction
1S as great as 1t Is for day SCHOOLS ana
colleges
One of the great purposes of the Chris
tan Endeayor Society Is that the young
people may be attracted to the study
of the Bible. Unless they learn to love
the word and eagerly seek to discover
its meaning. all endeavor in lines Of
Christian activity will prove barren and
unfruitful.
Bibles Best Defense.
This topic should be a loud call to all
the members to increase their love for
and their study of the Bible There can
be no Bible work, at home or abroad, ex-
cept by those who have Bible knowledge.
The Bible is its own best defense. but
it cannot defend itself to those who have
no knowledge of 1t.
Reading the Bible without study or
meditation will not amount to very much;
in fact the Bible is scarcely read at ALL
unless 1t is studied. While there is much
Of literary excellence In its pages, it is
so thoroughly imbued in every part with
spiritual and religious thoughts that it
does not attract the careless and thought
less 1t is the student nature that finds
fascination in the Book.
1t is true that all students of the Bible
are mot spiritually minded, but they are
the rare exceptions which prove that if|
the Book is found worthy of study for its
literary value It is certainly far more
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