2 Chronicles 34:14 , 2 Chronicles 34:20-21
Consider what we should lose if we were to part with the Christian Scriptures and with all the institutions and blessings for which we are indebted to them.
I. In the loss of the Bible and its fruits, we should lose the knowledge of the true God. History proves this beyond reasonable dispute. God must speak,or man does not find Him. Mankind needs a book to keep alive in the earth the knowledge of a spiritual and personal God.
II. By the loss of the Scriptures and their results from the knowledge of mankind, we should lose sooner or later our institutions of benevolence. Benevolence on any large scale, and in the form of permanent institutions, and for all classes of mankind is a Biblical idea.
III. In the loss of the Bible and its fruits, we should sooner or later suffer the loss of our institutions for popular education. Culture has existed without a revelation from heaven. Schools are not the product of the Bible only. But it is beyond question that popular education is of Bible origin. Other than Christian religions build themselves on the ignorance of the masses.
IV. By the loss of the Scriptures and their creations, we should sooner or later part with our institutions of civil liberty. History shows that the great charter of freedom in the world is the word of God. The great free nations of the earth are the great Christian nations.
A. Phelps, The Old Testament a Living Book,p. 187.
References: 2 Chronicles 34:14-33. Homiletic Magazine,vol. xiii., p. 295. 2 Chronicles 34:27. I. Williams, Characters of the Old Testament,p. 244; Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xiii., No. 748. 2 Chronicles 35:2. Ibid.,vol. xxvi., No. 1513. 2 Chronicles 36:1-23. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. v., p. 94. 2 Chronicles 36:12. Preacher's Monthly,vol. ii., p. 265.