But if, instead of the "Theory of Verbal Inspiration," I am asked whether I believe _the words_ of the Bible to be inspired,--I answer, To be sure I do,--every one of them: and every syllable likewise. Do not _you?_--_Where_,--(if it be a fair question,)--Where do you, in your wisdom, stop? The _book_, you allow _is_ inspired. How about the chapters? How about the verses? Do you stop at the verses, and not go on to the words? Or perhaps you enjoy a special tradition on this subject, and hold that Inspiration is a general, vague kind of thing,--here more, there less: strong, (to speak plainly,) where you make no objection to what is stated,--weak, when it runs counter to some fancy of your own.--O Sir, but this "general vague kind of thing" will not suffice to anchor the fainting soul upon, in the day of trouble, and in the hour of death! "Here _more_, there _less_," will not satisfy a parched and weary spirit, athirst for the water of Life, and craving the shadow of the great Rock. What security can _you_ offer _me_, that the promise which has sustained me so long occurs in the "more," and not in the "less?" How am I to know that your Bible is _my_ Bible: in other words, what proof is there that either of us possesses the Word of GOD,--the authentic utterance of GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT,--_at all_? And do you not feel, that this "will o' the wisp" phantom of your brain, can prove no guide to either of us in the pilgrimage of life? Perceive you not that the unworthy spirit in which you approach the Book of GOD'S Law must effectually prevent you from getting any wisdom from it? Why, the pages which you look so coldly and carnally at, are written within and without, and burn from end to end with unutterable meaning! While you are quarrelling about the title on the Cross, you are missing the common salvation! You keep us, Sunday after Sunday, disputing outside the gates of Paradise, instead of bidding us enter in, and eat of the delicious fruit! While _you_ are persisting that there is no beauty in the garden, (because you choose to be deaf as well as blind,)--the shadows are lengthening out, and the glory is departing, and the angels are getting weary of harping upon their harps!