My Bible and I
We've traveled together through life's rugged way
O'er land and o'er water, by night and by day:
To travel without it I never would try;
We keep close together, my Bible and I.

In sorrow I've proved it my comfort and joy,
When weak my strong tower which nought can
     destroy;
When death comes so near me 'tis thought I
     would die,
We still are together, my Bible and I.

If powers of evil against me would come,
And threaten to rob me of heaven and home,
God's Word then directs me to Him in the sky;
And nothing can part us, my Bible and I.

When evil temptations are brought to my view,
And I in my weakness know not what to do,
On Christ as my strength I am taught to rely;
And so we keep company, my Bible and I.

When life's path is ended; if Jesus should come
And take all his blood-purchased brethren home;
Or if, in long suffering, He waits till I die.
We'll never be parted, my Bible and I.

And when in the glory my Lord I behold,
With all His redeemed gathered safe in the fold,
My Bible and I close companions will be,
For God's Word abides for all eternity.
                                      —Author Unknown

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.  2 Timothy 3:15-16


The Unchanging Word
Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God—
Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.

I'll trust in God's unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!
                                 —Attributed to Martin Luther

The entrance of thy words giveth light;
it giveth light unto the simple.  Psalm 119:130

Read the Bible Through
I supposed I knew my Bible,
Reading piece-meal, hit or miss;
Now a bit of "John" or "Matthew,"
Now a snatch of "Genesis."
Certain chapters of "Isaiah,"
Certain "Psalms,"--the twenty-third,
Twelfth of "Romans," first of "Proverbs."
Yes, I thought I knew the Word.
But I found a thorough reading
Was a different thing to do,
And the way was unfamiliar
When I read the Bible through.
Ye who treat the Crown of Writings
As you treat no other book—
Just a paragraph disjointed,
Just a crude, impatient look—
Try a worthier procedure,
Try a broad and steady view;
You will kneel in very rapture
When you read the Bible THROUGH.
                   —Amos R. Well

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.  Psalm 119:130

      The Bible
Where childhood needs a standard
   Or youth a beacon light,
Where sorrow sighs for comfort
   Or weakness longs for might,
Bring forth the Holy Bible—
   The Bible! There it stands!
Resolving all life's problems
   And meeting its demands.

Though sophistry conceal it,
   The Bible! There it Stands!
Though Pharisees profane it,
   Its influence expands.
It fills the world with fragrance
   Whose sweetness never cloys;
It lifts our eyes to Heaven,
   It heightens human joys.

Despised and torn in peices,
   By infidels decried,
With thunderbolts of hatred
   The haughty cynics pride—
All these have railed against it
   In this and other lands;
Yet dynasties have fallen,
   And still the Bible stands!

To Paradise a highway,
   The Bible! There it stands!
Its promises unfailing,
   Nor grievous its commands.
It points man to his Saviour,
   The Lover of his soul;
Salvation is its watchword,
   Eternity its goal!
           —James M. Gray

Thy word is true from the beginning: and
every one of thy righteous judgments endureth
for ever.  Psalm 119:160

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto
them that put their trust in him.  Proverbs 30:5

Holy Bible, Book Divine
Holy Bible, Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine:
Mine to tell me whence I came,
Mine to teach me what I am.

Mine to chide me when I rove,
Mine to show a Saviour's love;
Mine thou art to guide and guard,
Mine to punish or reward;

Mine to comfort in distress—
Suffering in this wilderness;
Mine to show, by living faith,
Man can triumph over death;
 
Mine to tell of joys to come
And the rebel sinner's doom;
O thou holy Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.
                    —John Burton, Sr.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I
might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant
loveth it. Psalm 119:14 

    My Mother's Bible
This book is all that's left me now,
   Tears will unbidden start—
With faltering lip and throbbing brow
   I press it to my heart.
For many generations past,
   Here is our family tree;
My mother's hand this Bible clasped;
   She, dying, gave it me.

Ah! well do I remember those
   Whose names these records bear,
Who 'round the hearthstone used to close
   After the evening prayer,
And speak of what these pages said,
   In tones my heart would thrill!
Though they are with the silent dead
   Here are they living still!

My father read this holy book
   To brothers, sisters, dear;
How calm was my poor mother's look,
   Who loved God's word to hear
Her angel face—I see it yet!
   What thronging memories come!
Again that little group is met
   Within the halls of home!

Thou truest friend man ever knew,
   Thy constancy I've tried;
Where all were false, I found thee true,
   My counselor and guide.
The mines of earth no treasure give
   That could this volume buy;
In teaching me the way to live,
   It taught me how to die.
                          —George P. Morris

Being born again, not corruptible seed, but
of incorruptible, by the word of God, which
liveth and abideth for ever. 1 Peter 1:23

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing
by the word of God. Romans 10:17