32 BOYS OF THE BIBLE.

teachers; that I had made the Bible the lamp of my feet, then
I should not be walking in the darkness of despair!

There never was a time in the history of the world when
there were so many good books for boys. Authors and artists
are busily and joyfully at work writing and illustrating books
for boys and girls, but especially for boys. This is the golden
age of books. But the Bible is the best of all books for boys.
There is no poetry so sweet as the Psalms of David; no elo-
quence to compare with the prophecies of Isaiah and Ezekiel,
of Jeremiah, and Zachariah, and Habakkuk; no philosophy so
terse and practical as that of Solomon; no words in all the
world so full of tenderness and love as the words of Jesus,
for He spake as never man spake, with the wisdom that cometh
down from heaven.

Boys of America, make the Bible your daily companion!
You will have no wiser, no more helpful, no more faithful
friend. It will never fail you; it will brighten the glory of
your sunniest days; it will illumine the darkness of your sad-
dest hours. When other voices are dumb, it will speak to you
words of promise and hope; it will make your youth glad,
your manhood strong, and your old age beautiful; it will lead
you through “green pastures” by gently-flowing streams; it
will help you to walk all day long in the light of God, and,
when you come to the valley of the shadows, it will mark
for you, in lines of light, a pathway to the great white throne.

Great God, with wonder and with praise,
On all thy works I look;

But still thy wisdom, power, and grace,
Shine brightest in thy Book.

The stars that in their courses roll
Have much instruction given,

But thy blest word informs my soul,
And points the way to heaven.