The Bible. 291 



Nor does the Bible show its adaptation to the 

 nature of man only in what it demands. It is 

 equally apparent in what it forbids. The Bible lays 

 no prohibition upon man that will diminish his en- 

 joyment. Its word of warning is never heard except 

 ly to enter those paths that are sure 



id to ruin if we follow tliem to the end. Their 



entrance may be bordered with flowers and promise 



: ion, and the simple may enter 



in with a 1 laughter; but those who have 



(1 the history of the past and have m<>ral 



r to restrain them- enter them. 



When they seek their highest good in the light of 



v and their own constitution, they are found 

 walking according to the precepts of the Bible. In 



ire, is de- 

 nounced. It stands and utters its warning voice 



-t intemperance! licentiousness, avarice, and 

 injustice. It \ that those who take pleasure 



in them shall in the end find sorrow. The expe- 

 rience of tho; has been sad evidence of the 

 truth of its declarations. It is venerable with the 



>f centuries, but it is no more obsolete nor 

 wanting in its adaptations to man now than the 

 light of day is to the eye, or water to the thirsty 

 soul. It goes on filling its place in supplying the 

 wants of man, like all the great provisions that have 

 been made for him in nature. 



Thus far we have found in the Bible only what is 

 intimated in nature. The written word speaks, in- 

 deed, with an explicitness that we search for in vain 



