YES, indeed it is; and the Word of God liveth and abideth for ever. It is like the Lord Himself, who is from everlasting to everlasting—God. All things that threatened to extinguish it have only aided it, and proves every day how transient is the noblest monument that man can build—how enduring is the least word that God has spoken. Tradition has dug for it many a grave. Intolerance has lighted for it many a fire. Many a Judas has betrayed it with a kiss, many a Peter denied it with an oath, many a Demas has forsaken it—but the Word of God still endures.
A little girl was asked by a priest to attend his church, and she refused, saying that it was against her father’s wishes. The priest said she should obey him and not her father. Immediately the girl replied that the Bible taught, “Honour thy father and thy mother.” “But,” said the priest, “you have no business to read the Bible.” The girl replied, “But the Saviour said, Search the Scriptures.” Said the priest—”That was to the Jews, not to children.” “But did not Paul say to Timothy, From a child thou hast known the Scriptures,” answered the girl. Said the priest—”Timothy was being trained to be a bishop—and taught by the authorities of the Church.” “Oh, sir,” said the girl, “he was taught by his mother and grandmother!” The priest turned away discomfited, saying that the girl had “enough Bible to poison a whole parish.”