"I am the oldest book in existence having outlived the storms of thirty centuries. Men have endeavoured to banish me from the face of the earth; they have hidden, torn and burnt me, and have done to death tens of thousands of my faithful witnesses. No other book has been more bitterly hated; no other book has been more dearly cherished; no other book has been so misrepresented and misunderstood; but to-day, while so many of my foes slumber in death, I still live on.

"It is not for me to speak of the conflicting creeds laid to my charge, but on behalf of the one true purpose of my Author I appeal to reason. Look at the stately trees of the forest, the living green of the meadows be-spangled by a thousand lovely flowers. Hear the singing birds that delight themselves amid the beauties of nature. Observe the blue dome of heaven, illumined by the sun, moon and stars that space out a universe too immense for man to fathom and know that the Creator of these things has a wise and loving purpose equally great and beautiful for mankind.

"There is revealed within my covers a plan so broad and a design so deep as to be beyond the power of human origin. My story centres around the Redeemer, who by the grace of God tasted death for every man. Based upon His atoning sacrifice, all the dead will be raised, and the whole earth made glorious with life and happiness everywhere, without a trace of sorrow, pain or death.

"My message has blessed every follower of Jesus. It has inspired them with hope, encouraged them to zeal, comforted them in sorrow, strengthened them in faith till they have laid down their all in death, awaiting their reward. Like the crystal springs from the mountain side which flow on and on to refresh the luxuriant verdure on the plain below, in that glad day the waters of truth will impart life-giving blessings to the willing and obedient of mankind, who will forever with one accord, praise, love and adore my Author."