V. It Has Unique Claims Upon Us.

A unique book deserves and demands unique attention. Like Job, we ought to be able to say, “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” If history teaches us anything at all, it teaches that those nations which have most honored God’s Word have been most honored by God. And what is true of the nation is equally true of the family and of the individual. The greatest intellects of the ages have drawn their inspiration from the Scripture of Truth. The most eminent statesmen have testified to the value and importance of Bible study. Benjamin Franklin said: “Young man, my advice to you is that you cultivate an acquaintance with and firm belief in the Holy Scriptures, for this is your certain interest.” Thomas Jefferson gave it as his opinion, “I have said and always will say, that the studious perusal of the Sacred Volume will make better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands.”

When the late Queen Victoria was asked the secret of England’s greatness, she took down a copy of the Scriptures, and pointing to the Bible she said, “That Book explains the power of Great Britain.” Daniel Webster once affirmed, “If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but, if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity. The Bible is the Book of all others for lawyers as well as divines, and I pity the man who cannot find in it a rich supply of thought and rule of conduct.”

When Sir Walter Scott lay dying he summoned to his side his man in waiting and said, “Read to me out of the Book.” Which book? answered his servant. “There is only one Book,” was the dying man’s response—“The Bible!” The Bible is the Book to live by and the Book to die by. Therefore read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. As another has said: “Know it in the head, store it in the heart, show it in the life, sow it in the world.”

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (II Tim. 3:16–17).