David Carnegie Andrew Agnew

“ In the sermon named first, there is this able and instructive statement:—
“The Word of God is not a mere string of moral precepts — an abstract creed — the dry rubric of a ritual service. The Bible is history — the only history of the greater half of time; it is poetry — the chosen source of the inspiration of almost all the great poets of modern days; it is deep argument; it is philosophy. Thus it connects itself with every branch of human knowledge; it awakens and interests every taste; it finds illustration in every art; it is associated with all that is striking in nature. ”

“ It cannot fail, therefore, to develop the powers of its advocates to the utmost. Whether for explanation or defence, Christianity urges the chronologist to his calculations, the historian to his researches; it descends into the eruxails of the earth with the geologist, or scales the heavens with the astronomer; the metaphysician analyses the mind — the critic deciphers manuscripts and weighs syllables — in its service; it inspires and employs the genius of the poet and the artist; the proselytizing spirit, which animates it, compels it to study every language and to examine every creed ”

“ The Bible and the evangelical system are so constructed, that they compel men, whether as friends or as foes, to enter upon the whole extent of human knowledge. Wherever Scripture is regarded as the sole rule of Faith and placed in the hands of all who will receive it — wherever the right and the duty of private are upheld — it follows, almost necessarily, that literature and science shall flourish and civilisation be perpetuated. ”