The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-01-24
PASTOR GIVES u
PRACTICAL ANSWERS
TO SUBJECT why |
READ THE BIBLE

-'' PN~7eSi VI bIOduWay BaDtlSt
ehurch preached TO a crowded house
on the subject, why | Read the
Siole" At the conclusion of the SER
mon he invited every one present to
attend the Wednesday night Bible
class for the systematic study of the
Bible. He said that he read the
Bible; setting forth twelve reasons,
as follows
FIRST: Because it is the most
popular book in the world. want
To know what other people are read.
Ing More copies OF it are sold every
year than any other book in print,
and five times as many people read
II daily as read any other book
Second: Because no man can
claim to be educated who has not
read the Bible. 1t is an education in
history and correct English. II is an
Unparalleled revelation in biography,
poetry and oratory.
Third: Because it tells me from
whence I came, 1t solves the mystery
OF existence. Science cannot do that.
All science can do is TO explain de-
velopments and combinations. 1t has
TO assume the material out Of which
II constructs its world. That force.
unknowable to science. the Bible
calls God
Fourth: Because il tells me where
! am going 1t solves the mystery of
the future. 1t tells me what lies
beyond that black curtain called
death.
Fifth: II contains my photograph.
No human photographer ever took
a picture that looked ike me but God
has drawn a perfect likeness OF me
In his word and il does not flatter
II does me justice without mercy. It .
is a good thing for man to see
himself as he really is.
Sixth: II shows me the way Of
salvation. outside Of that Book no
one knows a thing about the way;
ii is a journey in the dark, leap
into an abyss with God only knows
what Is at the bottom. l cannot
trust myself to any one however wise
who has not been over the way.
Christ has trodden every foot of the
way and has made il clear in his
Word
Seventh: 1t nourishes and streng-
thens me. As new born babes desire
the sincere milk OF the Word that
ye may grow thereby 1t is to the
soul what material food is TO the
body
Eighth: It cleanses me. The
Master said to his disciples, Now are
We clean through the word which /
have spoken upon YOU. The reading
Of the Bible is to the soul what a
bath is to the body. No respectable
man will want TO 80 long at time
without i bath.
Ninth: It lights up my pathway.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and
a light unto my pathway. / do not
like TO grope my way in the dark.
Tenth: 1t is weapon for de-
fenslye and offensive warfare. It is
better than six shooter. Christ used
it in personal encounter with Satan
ana easily vanquished him.
Eleventh: It prepares me for
service All Scripture is given by
inspiration and is profitable for doc
trine. for reproof. for correction, for =
instruction in righteousness, that the
man Of God may be perfect thor
oughly furnished unto every good
work No man is fully prepared for
any service until he has read and !
caught the spirit Of the Bible
Twelfth: 1t tells me how safely
TO reach that other world to which
! am journeying. It furnishes maps
and charts and directions concerning
every foot Of the way without pos
slbility of mistake.
The world is crying What must ,
I do 10 b. saved?' of all books the
Bible is the only one that answers
that universal cry. There are others
that set forth morality with more or
less correctness hut there is none
that suggests q blotting out OF the
record OF the msliyed past or an es-
cape from the penalty OF the broken +,
law. There are other books that
have poetry hut there is none that b
sings the song Of salvation or gives
the troubled soul peace that floweth :
ike river. There are other books
mat have eloQuence but there is none
that enables US To behold God him-
SELF with outstretohed hands plead
Ing with men TO turn and 1--we. There
are other books that have science
hut there is none other than can
give the soul definite assurance OF
The future life, so that IL can say.
L know whom ] have believed. and
am persuaded that he is able TO keep
that which / have committed unto
Him against that day