WILL all the readers of My LITTLE FRIEND open their Bibles? “Yes,” you say; “that is very easy.” Well, but now I must tell you. On looking over Dot’s corner in the May number, I noticed with much interest and pleasure, that our magazine has about eighty thousand readers; so, you see, in response to my simple question there will be just about that number of Bibles spread open without an effort. Does not this strike you as a very wonderful thing? But, above all, I want you to look upon it as a very solemn thing, — this free and unfettered access to the Word of the living God. What a responsibility it is! and yet the youngest child may read without fear, although it be a direct message from God, which in very truth the precious volume is. I suppose there is scarcely one of you without a Bible, and no doubt some of them are very pretty to look at, with their shining gilt clasps and daintily colored maps, and others may be very plain, and even in rough bindings; but, dear children, let them all be in one condition, and that is, well-used. Oh! I do desire to direct your attention to the unspeakable value of this blessed book, for God’s testimony concerning His Son is there, and the love of Jesus in giving Himself as a ransom is told out there, and told in such simple and beautiful language, that even the little ones may understand. Read it then, often, ponder it well; for the only way of approach to God is given there, and there only. But now I have a suggestion to make, and hope you will all agree to it. Let every one of us, and we number eighty thousand, remember, open our Bibles, between the hours of nine and ten every Sunday morning, and read a few verses; would it not be nice? And doubtless the Lord would add His blessing (without which it would be worthless); for I am sure there are many, very many, who would silently pray as they read their own selection, that the Word might be used for rich and lasting profit to the large numbers thus occupied at almost the same moment.
Oh! that precious book the Bible,
Hold it with a jealous care;
All I know of life and glory,
All I know of Christ, is there.
Some would tell me ‘tis a fable,
Full of legend, rich and rare;
But to me it is God’s message,
All He tells of Christ is there.
May I guard it then while passing
On to regions bright and fair;
And should others smile, I’ll tell them
Christ the Way, was shown me there.
W. J. W.