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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 42

18.—Eulogy on the Bible

page 32

18.—Eulogy on the Bible.

'They had the Bible. Hast thou ever heard
Of such a book? The author, God Himself;
The subject, God and man, salvation, life,
And death—eternal life, eternal death.
Dread works! whose meaning has no end, no bounds!
Most wondrous book! bright candle of the Lord!
Star of eternity! the only star
By which the bark of man could navigate
The sea of life, and gain the coast of bliss
Securely: only star which rose on Time,
And on its dark and troubled billows still,
As generation, drifting swiftly by,
Succeeded generation, threw a ray
Of heaven's own light, and to the hills of God,
The eternal hills, pointed the sinner's eye.
By prophets, seers and priests, and sacred bards;
Evangelists, apostles, men inspired
And by the Holy Ghost anointed, set
Apart and consecrated to declare
To Earth the counsels of the Eternal One—
This Book, this holiest, sublimest book
Was sent. Heaven's will, Heaven's code of laws entire
To man this Book contained; defined the bounds
Of vice and virtue, and of life and death,
And what was shadow, and what was substance taught.
Much it revealed; important all; the least
Worth more than what else seemed of highest worth.
But this, of plainest, most essential truth:
That God is one eternal, holy, just,
Omnipotent, omniscient, infinite,
Most wise, most good, most merciful and true—
In all perfection most unchangeable.
This Book, this holy Book, on every line
Marked with the seal of high divinity,
On every leaf bedewed with drops of love
Divine, and with the eternal heraldry
And signature of God Almighty stamped.
From first to last—this sacred light,
This lamp from off the everlasting throne,
Mercy took down and, in the night of Time,
Stood casting on the dark her gracious bow,
And evermore beseeching men, with tears
And earnest sighs, to read, believe, and live."

"My task is done.

* * * *

What is writ, is writ.

Would it were Worthier."

Printed at the "Daily Times" Office, Dowling Street, Dunedin.