For this reason, when we read the Bible,
as the children said, "We must attend, or we shall not know what God has
said."
And for another reason, too, we must attend: that is, because it is God who
is speaking.
God's Word is the only thing in this world that is quite sure; but it is,
because it has come straight from Him, and He is the God of truth.
God's Word can never pass away; for He has said that it endures for ever.
God's Word can speak, even to a child, and can make that child "wise unto
salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
For it is of Jesus, the Son of God, that God has spoken to us in His book.
I think you will like this poem, which speaks of a time when the Bible was
not only a rare, but in most countries a forbidden book, bought in secret,
and read in fear by those to whom it became all the more precious because
it cost them so dear. We are told that at this time the actual cost of a
Bible was L30, and that the wages of a labouring man were only 1-1/2d. a
day; so that he would have to work fifteen years to pay for one copy of the
Word of God!
"THE VAUDOIS TEACHER.
"'Oh, lady fair, these silks of mine
Are beautiful and rare;
The richest web of the Indian loom,
Which beauty's queen might wear.
And my pearls are pure as thine own fair neck,
With whose radiant light they vie;
I have brought them with me a weary way--
Will my gentle lady buy?'
"And the lady smiled on the worn old man
Through the dark and clustering curls
Which veiled her brow, as she bent to view
His silks and glittering pearls;
And she placed their price in the old man's hand,
And lightly turned away;
But she paused at the wanderer's earnest call--
'My gentle lady, stay!'
"'Oh, lady fair, I have yet a gem
Which a purer lustre flings
Than the diamond flash of the jewelled crown
On the lofty brow of kings:
A wonderful pearl of exceeding price,
Whose virtue shall not decay;
Whose light shall be as a spell to thee,
And a blessing on thy way!'
"The lady glanced at the mirroring steel,
Where her form of grace was seen,
Where her eye shone clear and her dark locks waved
Their clasping pearls between--
'Bring forth thy pearl of exceeding worth,
Thou traveller grey and old;
Then name the price of thy precious gem,
And my page shall count the gold.
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