Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/463

 lem, foretold  its  destruction,  and  drove  from  the Temple them  that  sold  therein  and  them  that  bought. In that  Gospel,  short  as  it  was,  we  discerned  three strong arguments  against  the  anti-Christian  spirit  of our  times — three  convincing  proofs  of  Christ's  divinity. Now, taking  that  Gospel  as  an  exarqple  of  the power of  the  Scriptures,  as  a  weapon  with  which  to defend  truth  and  vanquish  error,  we  drew  for  conclusion that  lesson  Leo  XIII. is so  anxious  should be taught  and  learned,  viz.,  how  useful,  how  necessary, how sacred  a  duty  it  is  for  each  to  have  his  Bible, and to  read  it  occasionally. To-day I  wish  to  still  further emphasize  this  lesson — to  show  you  the  value  of the  Scriptures  not  only  as  an  intellectual  weapon,  but especially as  a  prolific  source  from  which  may  be derived  the  strength,  the  guidance,  the  suggestive inspiration necessary  to  bring  a  human  soul  through life to  God. Were one  of  you  to  arise  and  ask  with the lawyer:  "What  must  I  do  to  possess  eternal life?" I would  answer  in  Christ's  own  words: "What is  written  in  the  law — in  the  Scriptures? How  readest  thou?" For, says  St.  Paul  to  the Romans: "  What  things  soever  were  written,  were written  for  our  instruction,  that  through  patience and  the  comfort  of  the  Scriptures,  we  might  have hope  unto  life  everlasting."

Rich with  meaning  are  these  words  of  St. Paul. The Romans,  whom  he  addressed,  were  a  newly  converted people — a  mixture  of  Jews  and  Gentiles,  that did not  mingle  very  well — for  the  Jews  looked  with suspicion on  the  apparent  laxity  of  the  Gentiles;