Testimonies to the Bible

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20110, 2 December 1939, Page 16

Testimonies to the Bible

By Noted Men

TTIE following opinions of the boon collected by a churel Marlin Lulhcr, 1183-15 Ki "1 would not have those who read my books in these stormy times devote one moment to them which they would otherwise hove consecrated to the Bible. The Bible ought day and night to be in everyone's hand." Michael Faraday, 1791-18(17 “Why will people go astray, when they have this blessed Book to guide them?" John Wesley. 1703-1791 - “I want to know one tiling—the way to heaven: how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way. He hath written it down in a Book. O give me that Book! At any price, give me that Book of God!" Sir Walter Scott, 1771-1832 “He expressed a wish that 1 should read to him, and when 1 asked him from what book, he said, ‘Need you ask? There is but one.’ I chose the 14th chapter of St. John's Gospel.” —Lockhart's Life. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1772-1834 "For more than a thousand years the Bible, collectively taken, has gone hand in hand with civilisation, science, law—in short, with the moral intellectual cultivation of the species, always supporting and often leading the way." Abraham Lincoln, 1309-1805 "I am profitably engaged m reading the Bible. Take all of this Book

Bible are among those that have magazine:— upon reason that you can and the balance on faith, and you will live and die a better man.” Charles Dickens, 1812-1870 ■‘lt is the best book that ever was or will be known in the world, because it teaches the best lessons by which any human creature who tries to be truthful and faithful to duty can possibly be guided." King George V.. Reign 1910-1930 "The English Bible in a secular aspect is the first of national treasures, and is. in its spiritual significance. the most valuable thing tha> this world affords." THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE Books of the Old Testament fn Genesis, the world was made by God's creative hand: In Exodus, the Hebrews march to gain, the promised land: Leviticus contains the law. holy and just and good. Numbers records the tribes enrolled, all sons of Abraham's blood. Moses in Deuteronomy recounts God’s mighty deeds; Brave Joshua into Canaan's land, the host oi ’.-.raw 'flu Judges their rebellion oft provoked the Lord to smite, But Ruth records the faith of one well pleasing in his sight.

In first and second Samuel, of Jesse’s son we read:

Ten tribes in first and second Kings revolted from his seed,

But Ezra leads a remnant back by princely Cyrus' aid. The city walls of Zion Noheminh builds again.

Whilst Esther saves her people from plots of wicked men. In Job we read how faith will live beneath affliction's rod,

-Vnd David’s Psalms are precious songs to every child of God. Proverbs, like a goodly string of choicest pearls, appear: Ecclesiastes leaches man how vain are all things here: The mystic Song of Solomon exalts sweet Sharon’s Rose: Whilst Christ the Saviour and the King, the "rapt Isaiah” shows. The warning Jeremiah apostate Israel scorns: His plaintive Lamentations their awtul downfall mourns. Ezekiel tells in. wondrous words of dazzling mysteries, Whilst kings and empires yet to come, Daniel in vision sees. ■ i," judgment and of mercy, Ilosea loves to tell; Joel describes the blessed days when God with man shall dwell. Among Tekoa’s herdsmen, Amos received his call: Whilst Obadiah prophesies of Edom’s final fall. Jonah enshrines a wondrous type of Christ, our risen Lord. Micah pronounces Judah lost—lost, out again restored; Nahum declares on Nineveh just judgment shall be poured. A view of Chaldea’s coming doom, Habakkuk’s visions give: Next Zephaniah warns me Jews to turn, repent and live; Haggai wrote to those who saw the temple built again; And Zecnariah prophesied of Christ’s triumphant reign.

Mnlachi was the last who touched the high prophetic chord: Its final notes sublimely show the coming of the Lord. Books of the New Testament Matthew and Mark, Luke and John, the holy Gospels wrote. Describing how the Saviour died —his life—and all he taught. Acts prove how God the apostles owned with signs in every placy: St Paul, in Romans, teaches us how man is saved by grace. The Apostle in Corinthians, instructs, exhorts, reproves; Galatians shows that faith in Christ alone the Father loves. - Kphesians and Philippians tell what Christians ought to be: Colossians bids us live to God and for eternity. In Thessalonians we are taught the Lord will come from heaven. In. Timothy and Titus a bishop’s r;ule is given.

Contributed by the Ministers’ Association

Philemon marks a Christian’s love which only Christians know. Hebrews reveals the gospel prefigured by the law. James teaches, without holiness faith is but. vain and dead; St. Peter points the narrow way in which the saints are led. John, in his epistles, on love delights to dwell; St. Jude gives awful warning of judgment wrath, and hell The Revelation prophesies of that tremendous day When Christ, and Christ alone, shall be the trembling sinners’ stay.