BIBLICAL. NO. 1. BY HI. C. BLINN. In this respect it tent, Might was Right. may bear a close relation to all ancient history. Babylon was filled with its deeds of barbarism and religious licentiousness. CarTHE Bible is certainly a wonderful book. thage with its savage deity was a city of horIt is now the book of the christians, sacred to ror. Greece with its mythology and corruptthat order while all other publications may being religious influences was not, certainly, in denominated profane. advance of the Jews. Cassell speaking of the writings of Moses, says, "Such a code of laws as is embodied in this portion of Sacred Writ, is nowhere to be found in the jurisprudence of any other nation under heaven. Never had laws their Its impartial history of God's people from the time that Abraham left Babylon to the prophecy of Malachi, embracing a period of some 3,600 years, is a work over which hundreds and thousands never become weary, while its exhortations, admonitions and prom-basis in such profound wisdom, never were ises have served, no doubt, to make a large per centage of those who have carefully read it, better men and women than they would have been without it. Theodore Parker says of this sacred book, "This collection of books has taken such a hold on the world as no other. The literature of Greece, which goes up like incense from that land of temples and heroic deeds, has not half the influence of this book from a nation alike despised in ancient and modern times. It is read of a Sabbath in all the ten thousand pulpits of our land. In all the temples of Christendom is its voice lifted up, week by week. The sun never sets on its gleaming page. It goes equally to the cottage of the plain man and the palace of the King. It is woven into the literature of the scholar, and colors the talk of the street." they as benevolent in their character, and never so salutary in their influence." A testimony like this, in favor of a work that was written some three thousand years, in the past, should enlist the careful attention of every reader. While a diligent study of the Bible may reveal to us conditions not in harmony with our views of righteousness, it may at the same time afford us many useful lessons, for the journey of life. No one thinks of throwing away all his books and papers because two or more chapters in each may not agree with his understanding of religious and scientific knowledge. He would dwell upon that which appeals to the better qualities of the mind, and allow the other to fade away. So read the Bible. It is readily admitted that the New TestaThis sacred book of the protestant order ment or Covenant was written by a very difof Christians so far as it has preserved an ac- ferent class of men, and that the inspiration count of the manifestation of God's work of the work was as much beyond that of the among men, free from the errors of transla- old Testament, as the mission of Jesus Christ tors and revisers, may with all propriety be was in advance of the Mosaic law. This designated the scriptures of truth. It is said holds us directly, pleasantly and intelligently to contain the best record that has been pre-in correspondence with its doctrine of God's served of the creative work of God and has love to man. It foreshadows a dispensation also furnished us with the historical account of glad tidings, of peace and of brotherly and religious experience of the Hebrew na- love to which we as yet remain strangers. tion. From its great antiquity and the rever- Unlike the old Testament dispensation the ential regard in which the book is held, no testimony of Jesus dwells upon the spiritual other publication, under present circum-education of the mother and children as well stances, can take its place. as of the father. It gives us the outline of the life of Jesus, who walked with God very differently from either Enoch or Noah. A careful study of this part of the Bible and a discipline of the mind to its best instruction would transform men and women into mes It can be no argument against the book, that it admits of war and slavery and many other things which the present state of society condemns. It is the history of an infant age, of a barbarous age, when to a great ex sengers of love, into angels of God, and this was by this sectarian work that the most inworld into a Paradise of peace. Many persons have the idea that the Bible is a verbal inspiration from God and hence every word and every letter is mysteriously correct, and those who could not accept this chimerical view have been denounced as unbelievers in the Bible, as schismatics and as heretics. Although the Bible may give a very vivid account of the manifestation of God among men, and of the visitation of the Holy Spirit, yet it is as true that the Scriptures are only historical and do not contain that Spirit. "The Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." But the book or Bible can never hold any such place. It consistent ideas relative to the goodness of TRUST. MARY WHITCHER. THE wing of an angel May shade for a time, Of God lieth near, For doubt or for fear. How gracious to trust Though thy sky seems o'ercast, Through the tempest and blast; Shall securely remain DUTY. JOANNA J. KAIME. Jesus took the opportunity on several occasions to rebuke this narrow, bigoted idea, by saying to them, "Ye search the scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life!! and then as much as to say to them,--how very stupid! If you read the scriptures correctly you would readily see that "they testified of me." Paul was no less emphatic and denominates the word on Sinai the ministration of death, engraven on stones, for "the letter killeth," but that his brethren were the declared episties of Jesus Christ, written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God. To denominate the Bible the Word of God" and the only rule by which man should walk originated among an arbitrary sectarian class of religionists to prevent others from accepting the ever present revelation of God. The two great christian denominations, the Catholics and Protestants have each a trans-dience thereto as a line, or path of duty lation of the Bible, which they are pleased to regardless of the issue, was a lesson eardenominate the only, true Word of God, "STERN daughter of the voice of God! To conscientiously regard my highest conception of truth; by rendering obe while they look upon each other as antichris-ly impressed upon my understanding tians, and upon the Bible not of their own order as a false and spurious translation. It with few rose-colored tints to gild the setting of the pearl to my then ideal, genuine repentance. Let us as Brethren and Sisters of one household awake to a deeper sense of our spiritual duties, to our God, to each other, and to the whole human family, believing that we shall all find sooner or later, "The path of duty is the only path of safety." Canterbury, N. II. rather than practical view of life. As have thereby pledged loyalty to the vital I advanced in years however, the bene- principles which constitute us a living fit derived from giving heed to this in-church. We are bound by all that is junction has been of inestimable value, high and holy in our profession to walk and I venture to assert that as persons circumspectly and unselfishly with an are guided by this inflexible rule or law, eye single to the glory of that being who they will accomplish a corresponding has called us out of "nature's darkness" amount of work in that field of labor or a generative life into his "marvelous wherein their energies are directed. In- light" or the work of regeneration. "All that defiles or makes a lie" should deed little good would have been achieved had not this stern and unyield-be consumed by honest confession and ing principle incited to action the world's great benefactors. Had the human triumphed at the cross when Jesus was called to meet its ignomiuy, who can say the tide of progress would not have rolled backward (if that were possible) until another instrument was found able for the sacrifice? Had Ann Lee when called to her noble mission halted to "confer with flesh and blood" where would her name and honor be to-day but with the multitude who have been "weighed and found wanting" because unwilling to be as "clay in the hands of WE must not believe in two places the Potter"-unwilling to forego earth- only hereafter, heaven and hell. ly appetites and inclinations in deference not likely that all are to go either into to a higher law, and this as clearly re- perfect joy or unmitigated sorrow. vealed to their understanding as to the This is a very crude and irrational nohonest earnest seeker after righteous-tion, founded on the literal interpretation ness.—Where rests the responsibility to- of some phrases of Scripture which our day that so many are found in our Com- prosaic theologians have not had imaginmunities singularly blest with a knowl-ation enough to understand. God has edge surpassing the wisdom of this made this world infinitely diversified world and yet indifferent to the sacred with every degree of being a long trust committed to their charge, while scale of musical gradations. Is God's the earnest few, who are lost to personal law in this world a law of variety, and considerations are working with more is his law in the other world a law of than human energy for the wholesome monotony? Has he a million different growth upon which rests the maintenance and perpetuity of our virgis Order. All of us who have placed our names as supporters of our Covenantal relation THE FUTURE LIFE. F. W. EVANS. conditions for his creatures here, and only two there? Believe it not! The other world is, no doubt as full of variety as this. It has an outward nature as rich in air, earth, water, light, fire, wrote: "What if earth Be but the shadow of heaven, and things therein into a particular home there, suited to us, and which we are suited for. It is said of Judas that he went to his 66 plants, vegetables, as this, our old familiar world; only more graceful, more lovely, more various, more sublime, more tender. So, long ago, Milton place," the place that suited him, the place where he belonged, the place where it was best for him to go. So the Apostle Paul went to his place which suited him, the place where it was best for him to go. All this is not only scriptural, but reasonable; so reasonable that Jesus seems to think it almost unnecessary to "In my Father's house I are many mansions; if it were not so, would have told you." tell us of it. Each to the other like, more than below is thought?" The old theory was based on the parable of the Sheep and the Goats. It was nferred that there are only two classes in the other world, saints and sinners; only two places, heaven and hell. But while each parable teaches some one special truth, all truth is not put into each parable. The particular truth taught by the sheep and goats" is, that those who have heard of Jesus-the Gentiles, or heathen-will be judged according to their fidelity to the law in their hearts, which is a law of univer- is, teach) in part; but when that sal love. The essential difference between men is that they are selfish or unselfish. This parable declares that all generous, unselfish people are essentially Christians, whether they ever heard of Christ or not. We are also told that while a good deal of what we learn in this life will "We pass away, much will remain. know in part, and we prophecy" (that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part will be done away." But there are three great elements of spiritual life which remain: faith, hope, and love. The faith which abides is not any parBut Jesus says explicitly, and with- ticular creed or belief; but it is that out a parable, that there are many differ- confidence in God, that trust in univerent conditions in the other world, as in sal law, in the order of the universe, in this. The law of degrees prevails there a pervading, providing intelligence, in a as here. If we expect all to go into one blessed fatherly love, which is at the place when we go into the other world root of all intellectual activity, all intelI think we shall be mistaken. There is lectual progress. This faith is the a special place for every one to be born"substance of things hoped for, the evithere, as there is here. Every child dence of things not seen." It is the born into this world comes into a home spring of all thought, reaching out from of its own; has its own father and moth- the known to the unknown. We go iner, brothers and sisters, its own nation, to the other world believing there is country, town, language; he is born in there plenty to know, that the laws of the country or city, among the moun- nature are infinite and inexhaustible; tains or by the sea, into the home of a and that this faith is to abide in us farmer, a mechanic, a minister. One little child is born in Spain, one in India, one in New England. Each of us, as we pass into the other world, will go proves that the other world is like this world in its inexhaustible opportunities for knowledge. There, as here, there will be infinite variety, boundless adap to see your needs better than you can discover them yourselves; be obedient to their counsels which we believe will always accord with your inward convictions, if you seek to know your duty. Gentleness of manners is a beautiful quality in the character of young persons-not superficial manners, put on and taken off according to your associations; but cultivated from motives of principle. tations, facts of observation for the fore you, who have eyes of discernment, able senses, beauty for the imagination, problems to be studied, deeper mysteries of science. There will be something corresponding to sunlight, to stars and moon, to oceau and mountain, to forest and meadow, to summer and winter. This little world has not exhausted the creative power of God. We here see but the border of his works, and listen to but a faint whisper coucerning him. Mt. Lebanon, N. Y. Letter Box. Shaker Village, N. H. MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS;-Feeling desirous that you may find a permanent increase in faith and good works, we thought, perhaps, an expression of our interest in you all, through the medium of the Letter Box, might be a source of encouragement. We are pleased with the degree of earnestness manifested in desiring to become true christians by those whom we best know, in our own church and trust that all of the class addressed in our homes, from Maine to Kentucky are at heart seeking to do just right. But do not rest satisfied or yield the strife, until you wear the clear impress of virgin souls, until by obedience to godly principles, you become beautified and adorned with the graces of simplicity, truth and purity, knowing no will of your own, but subject in all things, that no temptation of a worldly nature may have power to allure your minds from the blessing of all blessings-purity of spirit. Persons that are truly humble are always mild in their ways; not given to idle conversation and loose habits, but reverential to superiors, to sacred places and subjects. This reverence grows from real love of virtuous principles; unless you cultivate this in your daily life you cannot bring forth its fruits. Herewith accept our best love for the principle, and as we all increase in the beautiful gifts of the spirit, the interest will daily accumulate until the bond will fortify us against the strongest elements of the world. Be truthful, simple, obedient, gentle, kind and enduring, these virtues will adorn you above rubies, pearls or diamonds. Your Sister and Friend, Keep near to the fountains of life, and they will overflow to nourish you. Walk in the vale of humility, with a spirit of warfare against all haughtiness and vanity, that you may "grow in favor" with God and his peo-Yet ple. Now is the most acceptable time of life to make strong the foundation of a christian. character. See to it that you do not build upon the sand. You are blest with faithful guides be faith points through to a shining mount That looms on the other side. To enable our feet in the next day's march Inside of the Covered Bridge.-Selected. |