century's witness to the bible. 



89 



One who took a leading part in the grand World Missionary 

 Conference at Edinburgh last year writes that the Bible had 

 no place among the topics discussed at the Conference. " There 

 was no need for that. Those present had no fear that hostile 

 criticism could dethrone it." " Its words," he says, " never 

 sounded so tender — so majestic — as when they were slowly and 

 solemnly read in the intervals of prayer. Two thousand men 

 and women bowed themselves from day to day in silent 

 intercession. When the intense stillness was broken by words 

 from the Old Book — calling to penitence — assuring of mercy — 

 telling of love — arming for conflict — inspiring for service, it 

 was felt in each heart that in the Bible 'men spake from 

 God. ' " 



Discussion. 



The Chairman said he was speaking for everyone present in 

 thanking Mr. Sharp for his most excellent paper. He thought the 

 paper should be circulated as widely as possible and asked the 

 Secretary what it would cost 1 



The Secretary said he was sure copies could be sold at 3c?. 

 each. (Reduced afterwards to 2d. each.) 



Lord Blythswood offered to give £5 for this purpose. This 

 was thankfully acknowledged and several orders were handed in. 



The Chairman resumed : This is not a Bible Society meeting, 

 but we wish to take a scientific view of the wonderful phenomena 

 of the Bible and to ascertain the secret of its influence. It was 

 a specially suitable sujbect for this year when the Tercentenary 

 of the Authorised Version was being celebrated. It had been said 

 that the Book was defunct ! Yet it was circulated to-day far more 

 widely than any other book, at the rate of several million copies 

 a year ! What are the reasons of the Bible being so translateable 1 

 Because it is a record of deeds as well as words. God had shown 

 Himself more by what He had done than by what He had said 

 The Bible was not a series of theological essays, which would have 

 been far more difficult to translate and far more dull to read. The 

 Book was a record of how He fulfilled His promises and how He 

 revealed His nature in actual life. This was the secret of its 



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