“WHAT DO WE WANT WITH A BIBLE?”

Hoa Maori, Issue 13, 1 July 1889, Page 3

“WHAT DO WE WANT WITH A BIBLE?”

SOME years since a dear Christian friend fgsj now with the Lord, related to mo the

following interesting incident of God's exceeding grace to two careless infidel souls A young married officer in the British Army, of Polish extraction, impelled by desire to return to Eussian Poland, the land of his ancestry, sold his commission and left England taking with him all his means, which were considerable, in order to purchase an estate in that country. Before leaving thinking that he might be much isolated, he made suitable preparation in order to surround himself with everything calculated to make life agreeable, and amongst the many things collected, was a fine library of interesting books to recreate their minds. His wife and he whilst devotedly attached to one another were also of one mind, thoroughly set upon making life enjoyable and ever ridiculing all thought of God and eternity. Sunday was their dullest day, spending it as best they could, utterly ignorant of the fact of the existence of God, and that every one of us must give an account of himself to God. On the eve of their departure they were visited by a friend to whom they showed their fine collection of books, which he much admired, but remarked, that one book was wanting which he deemed necessary. What is that ? they said. He replied, you have not a Bible here. A Bible! they said laughingly, a Bible! What do we want with a Bible ? Their friend said nothing more; but worldly man though he was. on his journey home he was so impressed with this omission that he purchased a Bible at a railway book stall, and posted it to them. They were amused on receiving it, But agreed that as their friend had sent it, they would include it in their library. They soon after left England for Enssia and succeeded in purchasing a fine estate with two villages of serfs, and a suitable mansion, where they passed several years in enjoyment and pleasure, superintending the estate and taking an interest in the people. One winter's night a great fire broke out in one of the villages and the kind hearted proprietor was very energetic in helping to extinguish it. Through exposure and exhaustion he contracted a severe cold, which did not yield to all the care and

nursing of his beloved wife. The nearest medical aid was that of a German doctor, attached to the Russian regiment stationed about 30 miles off, who upon seeing the patient pronounced the case as very serious, and advised their seeking a more genial climate. So with much regret they sought to sell their estate. Being now confined to the house, and unable any longer to pursue the sports of the field, the question arose, how he was to he amused, and the library which had been hitherto neglected was thought of and the wife undertook to read through the books. This took a long while and when all had been read save the Bible, the question forced itself upon them what was now to be done ? read them again, suggested the lady. No, he replied. Is there not the Bible our friend gave us ? Yes, she answered, but you would not care to hear that. Yes, I should, he said, it can do me no harm. Then where were they to begin. At the begining was his wish. And so she read God’s Holy Word and both were interested. At last they came to the Gospels and whilst reading the Saviour’s life giving words, light entered their souls and they were deeply convinced of sin. The poor fellow was daily growing weaker, so that the medical counsel could not be carried out; though about this time a lady drove up in her carriage to the mansion and at once purchased and paid for the estate, thus setting them free to leave, The interest in the Scriptures increased as they read the wondrous history of the Man of Sorrows and drank in His living words, appropriating them in faith as they perused John XIV and thus obtained peace of conscience and heart and found Him to he "THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE,” thus reaching the Father and becoming His children lor ever. After this he soon was called home to be with Christ, and the bereft one returned to England with her two sons—to live to Him that died for her and rose again. II Corinthians V. 1 5. reconsidering this touching miracle of grace, for the age of miracles, blessed be God, still exists and is witnessed in every believer, though little perceived or understood by man, one cannot but feel how sovereign and

admirable is the Grace of God, and bow wonderful His way of reaching souls and winning them to Himself. The friend though himelf a stranger to Christ and to grace, shocked that his friends should think their library complete without the Word of God, takes upon himself to supply the sad omission, and this precious volumn, hitherto despised and neglected and only taken up as a last resource, becomes to them, as it is in truth, the Word of God, and the Word of Life. “ The proudest, heart that ever beat Hath been subdued in me.” All this speaks of the mighty Grace of God. and in this case when the whole life had been mis-spent, Grace is present to welcome, pardon and bless, in the very blessing of Christ. The one is taken at once “to bo with Christ which is far better ” —Pliilippians I, 23—and the other left in this poor sad world of evil where He is outcast, to adorn the doctrine of God her Saviour in all thing-s.—Titus 11. 10. And now my reader, what is your case ? How do you stand as regards the Sou of God ? What think ye of Christ ? And what is the Bible to you ? Man’s word or God’s? Be sure, Infidelity and Superstition, though they may rank high in man’s day will be of no account in the day of Christ and will be exposed in all their audacity, folly and presumption, when such are called to stand before the throne of judgement, to give an account to God.” If such unsaved, be warned “ whilst it is called to-day ” for “ Behold ! now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”—ll Cor, YI. 2.—lest you be included in that awful word “ Behold! ye despisers and wonder and perish!”—Acts XIII, 41and hear from those lips, which now say' “Come,” the never to be forgotten words of woe Depart from me, ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his angels.”— Matt. XXV, 41.—0 h ! that it may be with you to bow in heart faith to the Lord Jesus, the Precious Saviour and Friend of sinners, and hearing His words of life and peace and knowing the blessedness of sins forgiven and iniquity covered, may henceforth live

the life of faith upon the Son of God and wait for Him from Heaven.—lThes. I. 9 10.