July 1927
425
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
the heathen mind, in the extremities of its bewilderment and need, did not catch at a straw as if it were a prop, nor practice upon itself, under the notion of a supreme enlightenment, a superlative trice of self-delusion. I do not deny that there are those who, having appointed them selves to the great enterprise- of reforming the universe, may, in the pursuit of their aim, attain even to this height of mental excess; but I hold that, by destroying the foun dations of our belief in the observed facts of human nature, they are destroying the foundations of every other belief, their own favorite scheme included. But further. Such mental errors cannot be indulged in without producing wider consequences than any that their authors have intended. These inventions are revolu tionary not only as towards the dispensation we live under, but as towards human nature itself, and all the modes in which it is rationally impelled to action, or guided in pur suing it. It is remarkable that this scheme does not pre sent the prospect of a plan for the reformation of char acter with the cessation of penalty as its natural conse quences ; but it is rather a repeal or exhaustion of penalty, B ACK in the foot hills of the great Smoky Mountains about fifteen miles southwest of Asheville. N. C., is a stream and a valley called Turkey Creek. Such a beautiful valley it i s ; and the bursting dog-wood blossoms of the woods, and the apple blossoms of the orchards, made it doubly beautiful that April morning as we motored out to see some people to whom our Scriptures had been given. The superintending teacher had long been interested in the people of Turkey Creek, and many Gospels, Testa ments, and Bibles had been given out to these God-fearing people who knew the value of God’s Word. A year ago she had taken a picture of the boys and girls of the Teague School who would receive Gospels of John. On the back cover of the May King’s Business we showed this picture, —with each one holding a Gospel. Did you notice the boy sitting on the ground ? He had a Testament, because he had already earned one, by reading his Gospel through and memorizing his favorite verse. We wanted to find some of these children, but schools were mostly adjourned as the boys often worked on the farms, and we were disap pointed to think the Teague School would be closed. But by good fortune (or rather our ¿«appointment was “His appointment” ) we met, at a home by the roadside, the three Teague cousins who attended this school. Such happy youngsters they were and how glad they were to see a visitor all the way from Philadelphia, one who represented the good people who had sent down the Scriptures to their valley. Of course they were photo graphed over again, and fine New Testaments were given them. The photos sent them will be continual reminders of their duty to read their Testaments each day and to “pray in” what they read. Not far from this was another home with a father, mother and eight children. The father was at home, not working this morning, but sad and a bit depressed, because a near relative had died the evening before. He bright
with reformation of character set in the shade, and play ing a secondary part: at the very best a reformation brought about arbitrarily, and in defiance of all known laws. And these stern denunciations of Holy Scripture, which on a long course of trial have been found none too strong for their purpose, it is deliberately sought to relax by promising to every sinner of whatever inveteracy, audacity and hardness, an endless period of immunity from suffering; after a period spent in it, which they have no means of defining, and which every offender is left to retrench at his own pleasure, on his own behalf. What is this but to emasculate all the sanctions of religion and to give wickedness, already under too feeble restraint, a hew range of license ? I do not dream of imputing the intention: but good intentions do not suffice to counter vail inexorable laws. The strong language which the sub ject leads me to employ, is altogether remote from per sonal application; and I use it as treating of what I under stand to be gravely propounded as a great article of Chris tian belief, pp. 220-223. ened up though to greet us. When asked if he had the Gospel, Mrs. D. had given him some months ago, he imme diately pulled it out of his pocket. He had only learned to read in the last year and a half and now was the proud possessor of a Gospel of Mark which he could read him self. We gave him a Testament and then to the oldest boy and girl we gave each a Gospel, promising them Tes taments when they had read through the Gospels. Think what that home might have been! Ten im mortal souls under the shadow of death, a loved one taken from them. What tragic sorrow if they had been “with out God and without hope in the world.” But thank God, —His Word was in that home and the children did hear the Gospel read and they were having a chance to love Jesus and put their trust in Him. What a wonderful thing for this teacher who loves the Word, to have gift Scripture's available to pass on to others. In Turkey Creek Valley there are dozens who recently have learned to read, and such joy it brings to these under privileged homes when they can read the Bible themselves. One old saint, over ninety years old, says his favorite pas time is to sit on the porch and read the Scriptures. He’s so thankful that his eyes are good and that he has been given a Bible. . That same morning we met the local Preacher, who covers five different stations. My, but he was glad to have some Gospels promised to him which he could give out to boys and girls who would earn Testaments! Those foothills of the Great Smokies are stony and it’s a struggle to grow crops down there, but the hearts of those mountain people are the best kind of “good ground” in which to sow the seed, “which is the Word of God.” The Scripture Gift Mission of 119 South 4th St., Philadelphia, ,is glad to pass on the investments of God’s people to these homes where Scriptures are so needed and appreciated.
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The Scriptures Among the Great Smokies B y W il l ia m H. R i c h ie
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