SUNDAY READING

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1931, Page 2 (Supplement)

SUNDAY READING

By i

the late REV. A. H. COLLINS

SUPREME TEST OF INSPIRATION.”

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and -is profitable for doctrine, for reprodf; for correction, for instruction, in .righteousness.’ — 2 Timothy, 3, lb.

The supreme test of the Bible is its profitableness*. I am not afraid of -reverent scholarship. I•. would welcome the wealthy ministers of interpretation and the. surprises of ineight and vision which they bring. The morninn- glory of revelation has not. “spent 'too soon her golden store.” Because the Divine Spirit is still resident in the world, one should .expect that-“the Lord hath yet more light.and truth to break forth from His word.” We are gaining; clearer light than our fathers had, and areas ~<M truth, once lying in mists and shadow-land, are emerging like landscapes at day dawn. Just as finer lenses enlarge and enrich stellar space, so finer lenses' are widening our apprehension of the heavens of tiuth. God has given us better tools and exacter scholarship, with the result that iconfusion is giving place to order. The ■prophets have spoken more plainly since Dr. Geo. Adams Smith gave us! his great volumes. Tho Pauline letters to ithe Ephesians and the Colossians mean more to us . since .Dale and Maclaren I removed the veil fro’m the f ace of i truth. ‘ ■ I • ' THE BIBLE AS REVELATION. But the supreme witness to inspiration 'is not in the realm ,of. critical (study. We may busy ourselves with the intricate problems of the Bible, aud •have no intimate and experimental knowledge of. Him of whom the ' prophets'and' evangelists bear witness. A map is a poor substitute for a iriounitain climb. A dainty menu card will : not satisfy' a hungry man. We may know the Bible as literature, and not ■kriovV it‘aS revelation. 'We may come to ;it as students and never.read it as sinners. We may discuss .its doctrines in 'the lecture room, instead of carrying •it into 'the infirmary and applying its to.broken lives, and specially ’-to our own. The supreme' test of the Bible is its utility.' 'So I want to take that line just now. Apply the truth. Bring it to the touch of the actual. ,1s the Bible “profitable,” workable, efjficient and .vitally useful?' ' '." . i Now, rightljf .or wrongly,' the Bible: (claims to be, and.to supply, the loftiest .teaching on thei' loftiest subjects. It is ‘“profitable’’, for the‘ unveiling of the iideal life. If I should visit SwitzerJlahd';' I would study' that’, he jmight open my eyes to the 'harmbniea' land' 'sublimities of' the 'mountains, ,the‘ ■delicate, loveliness ,of its rare , flowers, ithe significance of its shadows and its, J shows. ■’ If I visited the‘.picture, galileried of Europe, I would take a cata-' ilogue"and; guide book prepared by an •expert; but in my explorations and in-. ; terpretatipns .of “life that is life in - ■ deed,” I am’bidden takd the Bible arid' ■it will unfold to me life’s meaning, and 'life’s end. But does’it? i ■ BIBLICAL CONCEPTION OF GOD. Let,us begin with its teaching.about !God. Let. us jj'ead slowly,, lingeringly, iabsorbedly; 'let us add feature to fea--iture, lineament .to lineament' until, ■quietly and' deliberately we have , fashioned for ourselves the .■ Biblical coniception of God. There is His' awful iholiness radiant in dazzling whiteness, for which material things supply no (adequate symbol. There is His : wonderful grace in its fullness and spontaneity, like the mighty roll of the sea. ■ There is; the amazing hurirility of God, 'entering in at lowly doors, stooping to ministries of infinite tenderness,'and bearing with dullness, in patience that knows no limit. There is the sublime sacrifice of God, the story of which makes the Bible crimson, and Calvary the miracle of time. Thus slowly, reverently and apprehensively we pick our way until at the end of the long lesson we know something of the overwhelming, significance which the Scriptures attach to the word “God.”, Other books and religions have their doctrine of God; but is there, outside the Bible, . any book that, unveils, narrates, counsels apd guides men to such spiritual and helpful ;Cpnceptions of deity as that supplied >in these sacred oracles? Can you imagine any. Being worthier of trust, and love, ,and worship, than the Father of Jesus ? Can you think of any doctrine of deity more “profitable?” What would , you add or “subtract from the God of -the Bible? If profitableness, is the supreme

test of inspiration, where would, you place “this book of God, this God of books?” THE BIBLE IS-IDEA OF' MAN.- ' ' ■ Apply another test. The Bible has' a doctrine of man. Here are directions;,.■ counsels, patterns of the dignities and. nobilities with which we may be covered. Here are teachings which reveal what each one of us may become. .Now, take the' New. Testament. Follow its unveilings of the man you might V 6 * Follow its hints, one by one, line by line, virtue by virtue. Put the suggestions together until you have depicted “a man after God’s own heart. Put in the eyes, the lips, the ears, the hands, the heart of God’s good man. Build mp. God’s image of a man.. Invest hint /with, the human virtues God designs and commends —thoughts generous and h’gli,.' sympathies broad, andkind, service helpful and Sacrificial; speech pure and winning, fortitude unflinching, humility ■ manly, goodness simple and strong; and when you have drawn your sketch of the Bible man, tell me, what do you 'think of him? , ... t

A TRULY SPACIOUS. CONCEPTION.

Is hot the conception spacious - and gracious? Has it not-height and breadth? The vertical reach of it lays hold on God in intimate and vital relations; and the horizontal reach of it-lays hold on man in kindly. kinship and gracious, compassions. .Take the Bible conception of man, and say are you not fascinated' and spellbound by its alluring glories? Is it not “profitable” teaching? Other. Bibles of the race, the Vedas, the. Shastras, the Koran—have, their doctrine of; man, and you see the fruit of their teachings in the man.they produce. -Put the Bjble.'teaching beside these Eastern ideals, and as you find, so judge, y . • But the Bible is- profitable, not only in its disclosure of man’s .possibilities,, but in its: revelation of man’s actual. You may "read, a novel and it may. be a very”.powerful novel; and whilst you are interested and perhaps fascinated, you do not feel yourself exposed. There are no shafts of penetrating light that dart swiftly down into the vaults of your very soul. Or you may visit the theatre and be vastly entertained, but not reproved, and the reason is that the theatre portrays realities rather than idealities. But let any man sit down 'and contemplate the glory.: of. the. Lord, and'.the’ glory of hisi own-possible' salvation as revealed .in the'Word? of God; and 'he will .find that his own inglorious life begins , to. oppress, and distress him. HUMANITY AS IT MIGHT BE. . It was when Isaiah “Saw the Lord, high and lifted up,’? that he cried, “Woe ■ is. me! for.l am undone.” .It was. when §imon saw himself in contrast with the Master that he said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man,” ’ The Bible) mirrors humanity as it is, and that is good, but it .does- more, it depicts humanity as it might be, and that is better. “It shows me all the mercy, but it shows, mo all' the sin?’ It is “profitable for reproof.” . ‘ . One step more is all-1-cam take. The Scriptures are “profitable for correction.” That word “correction? is not perhaps the 'best word. “Erection” has been' suggested as a better word. ; Wc want a word.suggestive of something which has ■fallen, .and is being set up again. It is the • re-erection Of falling nobility, the 'straightening of that which has become warped and crooked. Now the mission of the Bible is to first unveil the glory, this exposes the shame, and then the Book counsels me as to how the shameful deflection may be put right. Now, suppose I lose faith in its precepts, and treat its Commandments •as effete land obsolete, where would you advise |me to go for help in the • re-erection ‘of fallen lives, and the straightening and strengthening of my own? Years ago I read Lester Morrison’s book with its engaging title, “The Service of Man,” and I said, “Surely, this is a volume that will help me in the reconstruction of broken lives.” But this is what I read:. “It is no Use disguising the fact, there is no -remedy for a bad heart!” No’ re-erection! ' If- you are broken you must remain.in your brokenness. You - must burn away in your shame. “There is no remedy 'for a bad heart,” Ah! but there is! Here is a Sacred Manual - which describes the remedy. If you know- a man, broken in will and in hope, let '-me urge you to offer him the counsels of this blessed Book. Ah! and -if you -yourself arc broken and damaged, like a bird- that han lost its. power of flight, do you turn to this Book to learn of Him Who can make you whole. - '

Congress has decided that this celebration shall pot bo in tlie nature of an exposition or other centralised, attraction. Instead of’ inviting the people to a physical memorial—a transitory gesture of homage—this celebration will be in'the minds and liearts of tlie American people, in their own homes, churches, schools, fraternities, clubs, and other appropriate groups.

The United States Government has taken official cognisance of its own obligation and opportunities to prepare for this great event. It is assisting in tho restoration and preservation of patriotic shrines and completing its great building programme in tho nation’s capital, the city planned and founded by George Washington and given his name by a grateful people. After a century and a half of neglect, the birthplace of George Washington’ is being rebuilt as nearly as possible to its original condition, and will b'e opened to the public as. a national shrine on Washington’s birthday in 19.32.

Without waiting for official invitations from the Government of the United States, several governments have already indicated a desire to participate in tlwj celebrations. Diplomatic representatives of these governments in Washington have called at tho offices of the George Washington Bicentennial Commission and conferred with the Honourable Sol Broom, Associate Director, with regard to suitable

methods of participation. t It is . the duty of the United States Commission to encourage celebrations throughout the entire world and to cooperate with all local communities in arranging and carrying out their programmes. In the performance of this duty it is closely co-operating with the District of Columbia Commission, to which falls the work of providing for the series of events that will mark the celebration ■ in the City of Washington and, entertaining the hunderds of thousands of visitors who will come to this citv next year.

Alexandria and Fredericksburg in 1 irginia, the two “home towns” of George Washington, both of which are near Washington City, are planning monster celebrations of their own. Throngs of visitors will be received and entertained there during 1932 when they come to visit the shrines sacred to the memory of AVashinglon from his early to his later life..