Life in the Word. 173 But there is more to be noted under this heading. The Bible is the universal Book also in that it not only speaks to all peoples in their own mother tongue, but it addresses itself to all classes of society. Missionaries from every part of the world have reported how the most depraved, ignorant and vicious people will listen at once to the words of Scripture as to no othgr book, and will recognize them as “good words.” Like God Himself His Word is no respecter of persons. In deed, its sternest denunciations are addressed to persons of rank and of social, ecclesiastical, or political prominence. Its best promises are for the meek and lowly; It has a message for all men, and to the highest as well as the lowest it speaks “with authority,” never exhorting from the standpoint merely of superior human wisdom and intelligence, but always as de livering the message of God. The Bible adapts itself thus to successive generations of men, exhibiting to each individual human being an intimate knowledge of his characteristics, trials and needs; It seems to be waiting for an opportunity to become acquainted with each child of Adam, to direct the steps of his life-journey through this great and terrible wilderness; to ■warn him of dangers and pitfalls, and to be the man of his'.^counsel to every one who wills not to reject its offer of fellowship. Does not this warrant us in saying that “the Word of God is LIV ING” ? IX. THE WORD EXHIBITS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF GROWTH Growth is one of the characteristics of a living being. The Word of God lodges and grows in human hearts, for there is its real lodgment, rather than in the printed page. The Psalm ist says, “Thy Word have I hid in my heart” (Ps. 119:ll|V 'i The book of Deuteronomy has much to say about the Word of God. In chapter thirty it declares (verse 14) that “The Word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart.”
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