The Opened Book

In commenting upon the effort of an educational center to awaken interest in a course of Bible reading, a leading daily paper has recently said that "if the universities can revive the study of the Bible, they will establish a new claim to our respect." This intimation by a great commercial journal of the significance of the Bible, and of the lamentable disuse into which it has fallen, is especially marked, when we remember the amount of attention the subject has received during the last quarter of a century, and the number and value of the aids which have been supplied in furtherance of this interest. The wonderful achievements of exploration in Bible lands, the preparation of the revised text, the issue of many helpful translations into the modern idiom, the development of the International Sunday School Lesson system, the organization of the Chautauqua study courses, and the publication of innumerable expository works, and teachers' and students' "helps,"—all these surely constitute the phenomena of an era of remarkable interest and activity upon the part of religious leaders who, through such varied means, have sought to stimulate Christian thought; nevertheless, the general unfamiliarity with the Bible, and the indifference of the great body of the people to its study, is constantly being referred to by Christian workers and is fairly indicated, perhaps, by the editorial comment which we have quoted.

These facts ought to enable thoughtful people to see that knowledge about the Bible does not and cannot awaken a permanent and impelling interest in the Bible, or lead to its sympathetic and habitual study. Let men be convinced, however, that Scripture truth has a vital and corrective relation to the disease and disharmony of human life, or in other words, that it is practically demonstrable, and that moment they begin to be attracted to it.

It is here that the explanation of the devotion of Christian Scientists to the book may be found. The many human aids to which we have referred are not to be undervalued, but the demonstration of the present healing power of the word of God, through Christian Science is doing far more than all else to turn men again to the sacred page, and beget a lasting enthusiasm in its study.

When suffering men and women are assured by the experience of others or by personal demonstration that the spiritual apprehension of Jesus' words does bring freedom from fear and pain and heartache, then it is easy to explain the fact that after carefully studying a Scripture lesson every day of the week, they can listen to its reading on Sunday with the greatest interest, and feel at its close that they are then only ready to begin its consideration.

Truth never grows old, never becomes insipid or tiresome. Its vitality and freshness are perennial, and the moment we begin to understand and practically apply it, as did the Master and his disciples, that moment it becomes for us a well-spring of water and we need no urging to go to it daily for refreshment and healing.

The extent and beneficence of our Leader's ministry to the world is the more clearly seen when we realize that through her demonstration of the practical healing significance of its teaching, the Bible is becoming man's inspired and inspiring companion. W.

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