The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-20
(BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.)

One of the wonders of the world is
the ever-growing prevalence of the
Bible. 1t is the paramount fact con-
corning all the realm of literature
So peerless is the place of the Bible
in the world of books, and so without
rival in the affection and interest of
mankind, that there is literally no
other volume that can be classed with
it. Five hundred languages are en-
ployed III the writing and printing of
the Bible, and it's distribution is world
wide. Now, even More signally than
in all times past, it is the days best
seller" In Philadelphia the daily
newspapers have for more than two
months past been selling thousands or
Bibles every week to their readers:
war the demand comes for copies of
the Scriptures. This unique book is
admired, loved and obeyed by scores
or hundreds of millions of persons and
is at the present hour the most power
full influence in shaping human So
ciety.
Probably the most popular single
is Rev. VIM. A. Sunday, who says, in
his sermon on the Bible: The great
men of the ages are on the side or the
Bible. A good many inf1deis talk as
though the great minds of the world
were arrayed against Christianity and
the Bible. Great statesmen, inventors,
painters, poets, artists, musicians,
have lifted up their hearts in prayer
CINE, was a Christian; Cyrus McCor-
mick who first invented the self
binder, was a Christian; Morse, who
invented the telegraph, and the first
wire was from Deuteronomy What
hath God wrought George Washing
ton was a Christian. Abraham Lin
coin was a Christian. and with Bishop
Simpson knelt on his knees in the
White House, praying God to give vic
tory to the Army of the Blue. John
Hay, the brightest secretary of state
that ever managed the affairs of state,
William Jennings Bryan, a man as
clean as a hounds tooth; Garfield,
Mckinley. Grover Cleveland. Harri-
son. Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow
Wilson-all are Christians. The poets
drew their inspiration from the Bible.
Dante's Inferno Millions Paradise
Lost two of the greatest works ever
written, were inspired by the Word of
God. Lord Byron, although profit
gate, drew his inspiration from the
Word of God. Shakespeare's works
abound with quotations from the BIZ
Bile. John G. Whittier, Longfeliow.
Last Judgment Raphael, who painted
the Madonna of the Chair Da Vinci,
who painted The Last Supper all
dipped their brushes in the light of
heaven and painted for eternity"
Another general Characterization of
the Bible used by Mr.. Sunday, al
though first formulated by Mr.. David
McConaughy, is peculiarly appropri
ate to this topic. He describes the
Bible as a house of many rooms II
entered through the portico of Gene
sis and walked down the Old Testa-
ment art gallery, where 1 saw the por-
traits of Joseph, Jacob, Daniel. Moses.
Isaiah. Solomon and David hanging on
the wall: entered the music room of
the Psalms and the Spirit of God
struck the keyboard of my nature I'M
til it seemed to me that every reed
and pipe in Gods great organ of ma
ture responded to the harp of David,
and the charm of King Solomon in his
moods / walked into the business
house of Proverbs. / walked into the
observatory of the prophets and there
saw photographs of various sizes.
some pointing to far-off stars or events
all concentrated upon one great Star
which was to rise as an atonement
for sin. Then I went into the audi
enee room of the King of kings, and
got vision from four different points
from Matthew, Mark, Luke and
John. I went into the correspondence
room. and saw Peter, James, Paul and
world. L went into the Acts of the
Apostles and saw the Holy Spirit
forming the Holy Church, and then
walked into the throne room and saw
a door at the foot of a tower and, go
ing up, saw One standing there, fair