It was
adapted to all climates and all conditions of life. It was the only book
which comforts in the last hour.
"This was vividly illustrated by the closing scene in the life of Sir
Walter Scott. The window of his chamber was open, through which entered
the breeze, bearing upon its wings the music of the silvery Tweed, which
had so often lulled his mighty spirit. His son-in-law was present, to
whom he said, 'Lockhart, read to me.' Lockhart replied, 'What shall I
read?' The dying bard turned to him his pale countenance and said,
'Lockhart, there is but one book!'
"What a tribute from the world's mightiest master of enchantment, who
had himself penned so many works which were the admiration of his
fellows, were those brief words uttered, when the spirit hung between
two worlds, 'There is but one book.' Would you learn true sublimity?
Throw away Virgil, the Greek and Roman classics, and even Milton and
Shakspeare, and go to the Bible.
"Amid all turbulence, agitation and danger, there is no other foundation
upon which we can rest the welfare and peace of society. This is the
only resort of every scheme of human elevation. This contains the primal
lessons of all duty. Let reformers recollect this, and let us all gather
around and protect this pillar of truth. Diffuse this 'blessed book,' as
one of England's poets, when pressing it to his lips in his dying hour,
called it.
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