I got out of them.  Well, I tell you it was just wonderful how much there was in them.  I had more good of the Bible, it seemed to me, that three weeks than I ever did before.  Then I remembered how I used to read my chapters, my mind half the time on something else, most always in a hurry, thinking it was time I was skimming my milk or at my baking, and wondering whether I should bake apple pies or pumpkin that day; think of it! how awful it was to mix up things like that; but then I thought I must read my three chapters anyhow.  Well, I didn’t do like that any more when I got around again.  I called to mind what the doctor said about eating, and says I, that’s exactly the way it is with the Bible, it has got to be digested; so I took what time I could and put all my mind on a small portion, and tried to keep it with me all day.  Now I don’t want to be boasting about myself, but I do say I love the Lord as I didn’t used to, and it all comes of his blessed Book.  There, I’ve talked too long!  I always do.”

“Can we not now have a number of texts that tell us from the Word itself how it is to be used?” said Mrs. Lewis.  And these were promptly given, such as, “Search the Scriptures.”  “Teach me thy statutes.”  “Great peace have they that love thy law.”  “That we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.  And shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”  “I hope in thy Word.”  “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this Word there is no light in them.”  “Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.”  “I trust in thy Word.”  “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”  “Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.”  “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”  “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

“Here is another bit from Joseph Cook that I think will help us,” said Mrs. Parker. “’If every five years you can mark a Bible thoroughly, and memorise what is marked, it will be your best diary.  You can do little better in reading than to fill the margins of a copy of the Scriptures once every five years full of the records of the deepest inmost in your souls, to be intelligible to yourself and to no one else.  Shut the door on that record.  Enter into your closet and keep your secrets with Almighty God.’”

“Why, I read a most delightful book lately called ‘Daniel Quorm’” said Mrs. Lee, “that brought out the same idea.  Daniel marked his Bible in that way—­marked texts that expressed his state of mind or heart at the time and put the date in the margin.  It occurred to me that it would be an excellent plan.  One could judge in looking over a Bible so marked whether they were advancing or going back in their Christian experience.”