ess," and was written
"for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures,
might have hope," and be made "wise unto salvation."

"While thou wert teaching my lips to move
And my heart to rise in prayer,
I learned the way to a home above;
And thou shalt meet me there!"

Its invaluable treasures, its manifoldness, its beautiful simplicity, its
striking narrative, its startling history, its touches of home-life, its
expansive views of human nature, of this life and of that which is to come,
its poetry, eloquence, and soul-stirring sympathies and aspirations, make
it the book for home-training. These features of its character will develop
in beautiful harmony the whole nature of your child. Do you wish to inspire
them with song? What songs are like those of Zion? Do you wish them to come
under the influence of eloquent oration? What orations so eloquent as those
of the prophets, of Christ, and of his apostles? Do you desire to refine
and elevate their souls with beauty and sublimity? Here in these sacred
pages is a beauty ever fresh, and a sublimity which towers in dazzling
radiance far beyond the reach of human genius. This is evident from the
fact that tributes of admiration have been paid to the bible by the most
eminent poets, jurists, statesmen, and philosophers, such as Milton, Hale,
Boyle, Newton and Locke. Erasmus and John Locke betook themselves solely to
the bible, after they had wandered through the gloomy maze of human
erudition. Neither Grecian song nor Roman eloquence; neither the waters of
Castalia, nor the fine-spun theorisms of scholastic philosophy, could
satisfy their yearnings. But when they wandered amid the consecrated bowers
of Zion, and drank from Siloah's brook, the thirst of their genius was
quenched, and they took their seats with Mary at the feet of Jesus, and
like little children, learned of him!

Even deists and infidels have yielded their tribute of praise. What says
the infidel Rosseau? Hear him: "The majesty of the scriptures strikes me
with astonishment. Look at the volumes of the philosophers, with all their
pomp, how contemptible do they appear in comparison with this! Is it
possible that a book at once so simple and sublime, can be the work, of
men?" Thus

"Learning and zeal, from age to age,
Have worshiped, loved, explored the page."

How often is this precious book abused! In many would-be Christian homes,
it is used more for an ornament of