155. the Book
SIR WALTER SCOTT, dying at Abbotsford, said to his son-in-law, "Lockhart, bring me the Book." "What book, Sir Walter?" "There is but one book—the Bible," said the dying man. He had written many, some fact, others fiction, but the Book of God alone was of value on the borders of Eternity.
156. Its Message
GENERAL SCHMIDT, a brave Prussian officer, dining with Frederick the Great, was asked by the King, why he believed the Bible. "Because it reveals to me a Father who numbers the hairs of my head, a Savior who expiates my sins, and a Heaven where I am to spend a glad Eternity," said the officer. "Wondrous things" (Psa. 119:1818Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. (Psalm 119:18)) truly are there.
157. Its Perfection
BISHOP RYLE of Liverpool, says—"I feel no hesitation in avowing that I believe in the plenary inspiration of every word in the original text.”
158. Its Price
In the reign of Edward I., the price of a Bible, copied in writing, was £37, and a day-laborer's wage was three halfpence. The purchase of a Bible would have been the wages of over fifteen years. To-day, it can be had for a shilling. The responsibility of having and reading it is all the greater.
159. Its Use
SIR MATTHEW HALE, says—"There is no book like the Bible for excellent learning, wisdom and use, and it is want of understanding in those that think or speak otherwise.”
160. the End of His Days
An infidel store-keeper used the leaves of his father's Family Bible to wrap parcels for his customers. Half of God's Book had been used for this purpose, when, one day tearing out the next leaf, his eye fell upon the words of Dan. 12:1313But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. (Daniel 12:13)—"But go thou thy way till the end be, for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." That word arrested him. What could be his "lot" at the end of a godless life? He wrapped up the mutilated Bible, took it home, read it, and was converted. The Word of God is "powerful" indeed (Heb. 4:1212For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)).
161. a Sorcerer Saved
A sorcerer, named RANIBALATA, in South Madagascar, bought a Bible for his young daughter. Reading it one day, he became deeply interested in its truths, and was led to a Gospel Service. Here he was converted, gave up his sorcery, and is now a Christian pastor.
162. a Bible Baked
A Bohemian mother, in the act of baking, saw a band of persecutors coming to her house. Seizing the Bible, which was the object of their search, she placed it in the dough, and put the loaf in the oven. They searched the house in vain. The Bible was taken uninjured from the loaf, and is in the possession of a descendant of that mother, in Ohio.
163. a Bad Book
A Belgium priest rebuked a father for allowing his son to read the Bible, which, said he, "is a bad book." "Sir," said the man, "before my son got that Bible, he drank, gambled, and idled his time. Now he is sober, industrious, and quiet. How comes it that a bad book gives good results like that?”
164. "It's Here."
An Irish lad had a Bible given him, which he read in secret, and found therein God's way of salvation. The village priest heard of it, and asked the lad to give it up. "It's bad, Mike," said the priest, and tore it up. "Plate your riverance, ye cannot take God's Book from me, for—laying his hand on his heart—it's in here!" The heart is its best hiding place (Psa. 119:22Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. (Psalm 119:2)).
165. Keep It
"The Bible is out of date. We badly need a new one." "I'll keep my old one till I get a better," was the answer.