06.06. Great Men Have Appreciated It

6. GREAT MEN HAVE APPRECIATED IT The Bible is an appreciated book. Daniel Webster after reading the Sermon on the Mount rose pale and trembling and laying the Bible reverently on the table said, "Those are the words of more than mortal man." At another time he said, "If there is anything in my writings that commend themselves I attribute it to my mother who taught me to love the scriptures." Milton said, "There are no songs to be compared with the songs of Zion and no orations like those of the prophets."

Isaac Newton said, "We account the scriptures of God to be the most divine philosophy. I find surer marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history in the world." While Herschel, the great astronomer, said, "All human discoveries seem to be made only for the purpose of confirming more and more strongly the truths contained in the Holy Scriptures. To John Adams it was, "The best book in the world." And it was William Jennings Bryan who said, "I know of no theory that has ever been suggested as a substitute for the Bible that was as rational and as easy to believe. To the young man who is building character I present the Bible as a book that is useful always and everywhere. It guides the footsteps of the young, it throws light on the pathway during mature years, and it is the only book that one cares to have beside him when the darkness gathers and he knows that the end is near. Then he finds comfort in the Book of Books."