THE CLAIMS OF THE BIBLE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16091, 3 April 1923, Page 8

THE CLAIMS OF THE BIBLE.

(To the Editor ot the Herald.) Sir, —It is to bo the endeavor of the Gisborne Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society, of which I happen to be the unworthy head, this autumn and early winter to draw renewedl attention to the Bible: —As containing the real solution for the peace of the world; as presenting common ground for tlie reconciliation of all industrial disputes ; as preserving from corruption, if its precepts bo observed, tlie social and family life of the people; as offering a complete) insurance for permanent personal happiness and l contentment. It is remarkable that the Bible while holding a quite unique position in literature as admittedly'a book, or bundle of books with organised unity, in advance of all other books, yet is a book, which apart from Church services, agnostic criticism, or theological apologia, is perhaps less studied l or discussed than many another volume of acknowledged inferior value. * No man if his tastes lead 1 that way will hesitate to study or discuss with others a literary problem arising oiut of a great play or an obscure sonnet, yet wo laymen, in our mutual relations with ono another, are reticent to the point to dumbness, as to the Bible and the Divine, revelation it purports to convey to all people upon earth. There are no doubt deep reasons for this reticence. These are not without merit. The Bible being wliat it is, it may well be, we dare not trc.it it lightly. Again, our lives are hardly consonant with its demands. Wo dread lost we should l 'have to charge ourselves with hypocrisy, if we give color for classification as pupils in its school, or more daring still, venture to give voice to its inspirations. The claims of the Bible as the Divinely appointed guide for human conduct,! and' indeed for human preservation, are so tremendous, that all persons however occupied their lives may be, will do well to look into thorn for a little. These claims are everything or they are nothing. T hope to bo able to arrange for at least four evenings at monthly, intervals for the consideration at Gisborne of these dlaims. I venture to appeal to all Christian people to rally to these meetings and toi unite to help o make them a success. For once may wo put- aside our individual views or dienomination, for are we not all alike dependent upon one Lord, the Upholder of all Creation V The speakers are not yet finally arranged. It is hoped that our old l friend tlie Ven. Archdeacon Chatterton, 8.D., will bo able to take the first meeting towards the end of April. Tlie ltev. A. 'll. Thompson, M.A., rsf Wellington, will’ take another meeting later in the year. We have , some valued new arrivals in ■ our midfat. We hope to enlist their aid. May I add. that in the work of the Bible Society we give no place to religious .. controversies! or differences. Tho Society is the servant of the whole world. It supplies tho whole Bible, in all languages and has not tho time nor the inclination,for; disputed' questions of dbctrines or criticism, which for the most part are quite beyond final human solution, unnecessary,, interminable, and in the end too often engender ill will and strife. —l am, etc., C. A. deLAUTOUR, President of the Gisborne Auxiliary of the British and Foreiun Bible Society.