Evening star., 1918-07-13
READING GODS WORD.
Acts, 1869; Psalms. 1911.
Golden text: Ye shall know
the truth, and the truth shall
make. you free.-JoEn, 8.32.
By Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

Green in his History of the Eng
lish People" has traced the influence
of the reading of the Bible upon the
religious, intellectual. literary. social
and political life of England and dem
onstrated that the ideals and prin-
ciples which dominate our national
life and for the preservation of which
we have been drawn into the war are
due to the reading of Gods word.
Western civilization owes an unpay-
able debt to the Jews for their con-
tribution to. the world of the Bible.
which was written by about forty diff
ferent Jewish writer's during period
of sixteen centuries. The dynamic
really a library of sixty-six volumes.
is due to the unique fact that all
Scripture is given by the inspiration
of God and is profitable for doctrine.
for reproof, for correction, for in
struction in Righteousness, in order
that the man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good
works." No other sacred book known
to men has the power to impart unto
men life from above like the life
transforming word of God.
The Bible is not to be studied like
one would study astronomy. archie
ology, geology or geography, for 1t Is
not book of science although 1t con-
tains scientific statements which have
been confirmed by the research of
ments grew out of religion and the re-
lieious needs of men. In this dark
hour of the worlds Gethesmane when
the soul of humanity cries out in all
the languages spoken by man for help
the Bible is the only book that can
NJ alx-a
The word of truth is the instrument
OF mans regeneration. 1t makes us free
and through it the Christian life is
developed. 1t gives to the believer
the secret of successful warfare as a
soldier of the Lords army. 1t points
out coming events and furnishes by
its eternal principles guide by
which every Christian can solve the
problems of life.
If the Bible could be read and
judged entirely by the standards that
apply to Homer. Sophocles. Dante,
Milton and Shakespeare, it would still
remain the crown of all literature,
much of which has been inspired by
the study of the sacred scriptures.
De Quincy has divided all knowledge
into the literature of knowledge and
the literature of power. The Bible.
which is unsurpassed as literature in
every form and without the knowl-
edge of which modern literature can
the literature of power. The Bible.
after the Jewish people who gave it
to men were disintegrated and scat
tered-eVen as that very book had
distinctly foretold-and become the
most prosecuted people of all history,
entered into the place of supremacy
in every nation which has attained
to any degree of civilization. 1t has
held that place through the centuries
of Christian history without rival.
II,
been overturned, not once only. but
again and again. If this marvellous
book of life is to he understood, it
must not only be considered as any
literature would be studied. but the
student of the sacred scriptures ought
to approach the reading of the Bible
in an attitude of prayer, seeking the
guidance of the Holy Spirit to under
stand its meaning and personal mas
sage.
is assigned for this weeks study, was
due to the devotional spirit with
which he was reading the roll of
parchment upon which was recorded
the prophecy of Isaiah concerning
the Messiah. The Holy Spirit sum
wide evangelistic campaign that was
stirring Samaria to help the chan
cellor of the exchequer of Ethiopia
understand the word of God. Philip
responded to call of service and
found the distinguished government
official reading aloud in accordance
with the oriental custom of worship
the words of the prophets, SO he glued
himself to the chariot for some per-
sonal evangelistic work. which calls
for a thorough knowledge of Gods word
Philip was master in handling
the sword of the spirit. for he knew
just how to handle it. The treasurer
was reading evidently from the
Septuagint. or Greek version, of the
Old Testament, that differs consider
ably from the Hebrew in its transla-
ton of the two verses which he was
reading. The translation into Greek
had made its meaning obscure.
Phillip began at the Scripture. which
he had been reading. and made clear
unto the eunuch the sum and sub
stance of the truth about Jesus. whose
life labors. love ard legacy form the
theme of the New Testament and full
fills the prophecies of the Old Testa-
ment.
Phillips method of allowing the
Bible to speak for itself is the method
adopted by the most learned interpre-
ters in recent years. although it's ap-
plication is not universal among all
scholars. 1t is this which has largely
caused the difference in faith among
men who agree that the Bible is the
Word of God. but who differ concern
ing it's Interpretation, which is mans
work. so that divisions are due to man,
not God. When all approach the truth
like the inquiring Ethiopian eunuch
there will come through some spirit
ual teacher the unity in the spirit and
in service that should mark the fol-
lowers of Christ. The treasurer, who
had never before heard of Jesus.
gained such knowledge of Him as a
result of their conversation that
Phillip considered him fit to be bap-
tized The new disciple went on his
way rejoicing to establish a church
in his own country in a period of
Christian history when there was not
a single gospel or epistle written for
him to carry into Ethiopia to guide
hime He had the Old Testament with
its testimony to Jesus that was suffi-
cient because of it's character for him
to win men.
The power of the Bible is due to
its unique character as the Word of
God This makes it the greatest mis-
sionary force that is used in the
advancement of the kingdom of God.
The psalrnist, who recognized the
unity of Gods work and word. used
six descriptive titles to describe the
word, mentions six characteristic
qualities of the Scriptures and six
divine effects that result from the
reading of Gods word.
He emphasized its authority by
speaking of the Bible as law and it's
revelation of God. man, sin, salvation,
Christ and Holy Spirit and coming
events as testimony. He recognized
in it's precepts the rules that Jehovah
had given to guide human action to-
ward God and man. He called it COM
mandments because of its imperative