I HAVE so often been asked to put in print the substance of an address on the Bible, which I delivered in the year 1904 on what was known as “Bible Sunday,” that, having felt led to comply with that request, I have amplified and arranged the matter in the form in which this book is now presented.
In doing so my object has been to prepare in a simple, concise, and readable form such a book on the Bible as I should have liked to possess twenty-five years ago, when, as a young Christian, I was not only puzzled by many of the questions dealt with in the following pages, but was also entirely at a loss to know how I could obtain the desired help and information thereon.
The index furnishes a complete list of the subjects dealt with, but I may here mention that, in order to make the book as complete as possible, I have, among other subjects, traced the history of the Bible from its very commencement and have dealt with such important themes as the canon—that is, whether our Bible as we have it is absolutely complete—the inspiration of the Bible, its alleged inaccuracies, its relation to science—a most absorbing study—showing how complete is the harmony between the two; and, finally, I have furnished the reader with information not generally known, concerning the sacred books of the East.
Technical terms have as far as possible been avoided, or, when used, they are explained.
While most of the information herein contained is the result of my own personal study, the rest can, generally speaking, only be obtained from large and expensive volumes—for the most part quite out of the reach of those for whom this book is primarily intended, such as leaders of Bible classes, members of Young Men’s Christian Associations, Sunday-school teachers, etc. It is, however, hoped that ministers and other Bible students may find it helpful as a book of reference.
The study which the preparation of this book has entailed has proved a great help and blessing to the writer, who now commends this work to Him whose glory and honor have been earnestly sought throughout, and whose blessing is now craved; in the hope that, in addition to imparting much-needed information covering a somewhat wide field, it may tend to strengthen the faith of young Christians and others in the Word of God in these days when destructive criticism and skepticism abound on every hand.
SIDNEY COLLETT.