The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-12-14

stood thirteen Of the most emf
mont scholars of the time, six Of
them on his right, and seven on
his left. They probably relieved
Era in the reading of the Scrip
tmres for it would be impossible
for him to read loudly for, six
hours in the open air. Thirteen
other assistants were also named;
they were probably stationed out
in the audience to repeat what
was heard indistinctly and to COM
ment as there was need.
THE EXERCISES (Nehemiah s.
Bible teaching engaged for sew
cral hours the fourteen teachers
on the platform and their help
ers among the thousands of their
countrymen in the open space be-
fore them. Beginning the cxer-
cises, Ezra rose from his seat with
great solemnity and opened the
book in the sight Of all the peo-
ple who immediately arose to the
same attitude OF reverence. Inc
first act was that of devout ador-
alton to God. Then followed the
reading of the Scriptures which
continued from early morning I'M
til midday. The reading was eX-
planned and the inquiries OF the
people answered so that they un-
derstood the reading. On the part
of the people there was rapt al
tention and earnest acceptance.
The length of the service did not
dull their appreciation, so eager
we're they for knowledge of Gods
word.
THE EFFECT nehemiah 81
Bible practice followed Bible
knowledge. Ezra had emerged
from seciusion with an open Bible
in his hand, and the masses must
have it. As they heard more dis
tinctly than ever before the thun-
behring's of Sinai and glimpscd the
ideals demanded, they felt their
own unworthiness with grief I'M
comfortable. But there was rea--
son for Joy instead of sorrow, and
and the melancholy weight must
be lifted from the hearts Of the
people. So Nehemiah and Ezra
treasured the audience and show
ed them how they could counter
act their grief and express then
ioy. So they were lifted out OF
the dark depths of detection and
horne inward to the heights of
ecstacy. They Toasted and sent
portions to others and rejoleed
because of the new light that had
broken upon them out of the
Word of God.
TEAC HTHE LAW ,
(D Recognize the Bible. "Fhe
book-which the Lord had com
handed" 1t is the Word of God.
1t comes to us from God. 1t shows
us the way to God. 1t is our one
Sufficient rule of faith and
practice" ,
(2l Request the Bible. ''They
spake unto Ezra the scribe to
bring the book" No other book
is so much needed. There is none
SC. beneficient. Certainly we
ought to desire no other with
equal intensity. Let US call upon
our teachers for it. :,
(3) Receive the Bible. "And
Ezra" the priest brought the law
before the congregation" The
outstanding work of the great
scribe was the compilation and
completion of the Old Testament
Scriptures. And The best interces-
sorry service of the great priest
was to bring the ancient Bible be-
fore the assembly in Jerusalem.
They were to receive it not only
as coming from God but as being
adapted to men.
(4) Revere the Bible. "When
he opened it, all the people stood
up." Of course they respected
Ezra but they revered the Book.
Thus they proved their worthiness
to- receive it. Destroy respect for
the Bible, and you steel the heart
against its blessed influence.
7(5) Hear the Bible. "The ears
of all the people were attentive
unto the book of the law Many
could not read but all could hear.
And they listened with rapt at
tention. How rare is the good lis
tener! How profoundly we are in
fluenced by the hearing ear! :"
(6) Read the Bible. Gle read
therein-from the morning until
midday" The chance and casula
reading of the Bible is not with
out profit. But how much more
profitable it is to peruse the sa-
cred pages for hours at a time!
= (H Teach the Bible. "They
read in the book-distinctly, and
gave the sense" Good reading of
the exact text may prove to be
the very best of teaching. Then
of course the obscurer parts need
to be explained and interpreted
so as to get fastened as with
hooks of steel in the receiving
mind. Thus simple and vet sub
lime is the teaching of the Bible.
! 49, Understand the Bible.
"Saused them to understand. y
The hearing ear and the seeing
eye and the enlightening tongue
haye their place in the spread of
Bible truth. But ultimately the
good of it must. come from a clear
understanding of the Word Of
God. 1t is enough for the people
to understand the simple reading
of the Bible text.
(9) Apply the Bible. "Arl the
people wept, when they heard"
They saw how far they had stray
ed, They realized how much they
had missed. They felt that they
were not qualified for the tasks
confronting them.
tlO) Translate the Bible. ale
said unto them, Go your way
and send portions unto them for