Is it wrong to highlight and/or write notes in a Bible?

Do not be afraid of marking books which are your own, and as such marks are rarely erased, they might as well be made with ink to avoid the blurring and soiling of the page. An intelligently marked book is of interest to others. It shows them that some one has been along this way before and does not really lessen the value of the book. These marks may vary, from simply calling attention to an interesting passage, or a question as to the correctness of a certain statement, to making extended remarks on the margin. A book of this kind may be for the time a sort of note-book in which all sorts of things that the author suggests to us are jotted down. Let not a borrowed book, however, be marked, even with a pencil. We would advise one, if possible, to purchase his own books, rather than to borrow those of others. Books are lifelong friends, and if one is worth reading it is worth possessing. Of course, we may not be able to buy them at once. Indeed, books which have cost some self-denial to secure have a special value, and if thus gradually obtained will be more likely to be read than if they are bought by the yard. Borrowed books should be returned as soon as practicable. It is neither good for oneself morally, nor just to others, to fail to return books that have been kindly loaned to us.

We may say in general that markings which have to do with the text itself, along the lines thus suggested, could be put as neatly as possible in the copy which we keep for permanent use. Our table Bible can receive various notes and markings which would soon overrun the limited margins at our disposal. It may be well also to remind our readers that for marking Oxford India, or nearly all paper used in book printing, India ink is indispensable. This, with a fine "Crow-quill" pen and perhaps a small ruler, are all that is needed mechanically.

We are not, as has been said, giving more than a few obvious hints as to Bible marking. Every one will have his own system, but we would suggest that each one learn to make his own or additional references to parallel passages of Scripture which elucidate the text. This has been found most helpful and profitable.

As we read our chapter, there will sometimes be an obscure verse; for instance, Gal. 3:20: "Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one." We look at the connection and try to gather the meaning, but are not quite clear. We may possibly consult helps, or if these are wanting, or prove not entirely satisfactory, we put a simple "?" by the side of the verse or some other mark of interrogation. It would probably be well for us all if we inserted these question marks along our Bibles wherever we do not fully understand the thought. It would be interesting in our next reading to notice how many of these "?s" could now be dispensed with. In the meanwhile, our attention will have been riveted by the fact that we are asking ourselves, Do we understand what we are reading?

The Bible Itself. As we are taking up the subject of books, we will refer our readers to what we said about the copy of the Bible it is best to have. We are living in a day of Bible production; publishing houses vie with each other in producing the most excellent and attractive editions of the Scriptures. They can be had in all sizes and for all purposes. As already recommended, we would suggest that one have a larger Bible for the table at home, with good, clear type, and a margin sufficiently wide to make such notes as it will be desirable to preserve. If one is making his notes freely, as was suggested, marking everything that strikes him, such a copy had best be moderately cheap, so that when it is marked up, it could be laid away. Where this is done and the student can afford it, it might be well to buy a wide-margined Bible of good paper, in which the more permanent markings could be entered, with such notes as he desires to preserve for constant reference. A Bible of this kind need not have any "Helps" in the back, which increases the bulk. Perhaps the note-book will take the place of the casual daily markings, and we need have but one table Bible for careful and permanent entries. Thus, subjects could be traced throughout and divisions noted, and whatever else is of permanent value would be preserved. In addition to this table copy, it is well to have a book as small as can be conveniently read, to carry about with us in the satchel or pocket.

A word perhaps may be said as to the kind of Bible to be used. In this, individual taste and mental peculiarities must be considered. Some have a strong local memory and locate a passage from its position on the page. If one may speak for others, this is not a faculty particularly to be encouraged, because, should we be deprived of our usual Bible at any time, we may find ourselves rather helpless in handling a strange book. Wherever possible, it may be well to have two Bibles, one for outside use, such as at meetings or carried in the pocket with us, not too large; and another for the table at home. This latter may be an ordinary cheap book, which we do not hesitate to mark. Favorite verses, striking or difficult passages may be noted here without much reference to special neatness, while in the book which we preserve for more permanent use, the notes and markings are more carefully inserted.

A prominent lecturer used to suggest that one Bible could be used for marking and be completely filled in a year. This is probably quite unnecessary, but not many years will pass before a book can be so completely marked up that there will not be room for further insertions.

It is always well to read and study pen in hand. Lord Bacon said: "Reading maketh a full man; writing, an exact man"; and the practice of putting down the results of our reading and study is most important. What has occupied us in the former chapter will have already shown the necessity for note-books of one kind or another. Our study, for instance, of Ephesians would require a special note-book in which we would jot down the outlines of each verse and afterwards their groupings together

The final results of our analysis might well be transferred to another book in which things were put in a more orderly way. This suggests the use of at least two kinds of note-books from the outset. The writer would only give some of the results of his own experience in this direction. No doubt, each one would find special means adapted to his peculiar needs. We would suggest, then, having two books, one perhaps larger and forming part of a series of such note-books, in which the results of our study could be entered in a more orderly and careful way; but we should have a handy book in which we can jot down everything as it comes up. Disconnected thoughts perhaps, outlines of verses or of chapters, questions which occur to us; hundreds of matters which will escape our memories if we let them go, but which are fastened definitely by being thus recorded. We might call such a note-book in which entries like this were made, the daybook, and the more permanent and orderly one, the ledger. Just as in a day-book each entry is put down, often quite hastily and with only a separating mark to distinguish it from the following entry, so this note-book should be used freely for everything. It can be of small size, so as to be conveniently carried in the pocket or bag, to jot down on every occasion our gleanings in the field of divine truth. In this also we might keep a memorandum of work done, and thus mark each day's progress. As we read our daily chapter, something that has struck us in it may at once be put down.

Many Christians find that the use of some very simple notes to accompany their daily Bible readings helps in the understanding of the Scriptures, and often contributes to the practical application and challenge of the Word of God.

"Probably every reader makes his own Bible. The parts that do not grip him he passes by. Certain books become so thumbed and worn that they can hardly be read. Others remain clean and white year after year."

I was so indignant at the impiety of this book, that I shouted at the top of my voice, "What are you doing, you impertinent volume?" But my voice was soundless; and the scratching and scoring went on as before. I then observed that in addition to blotting out a verse here and there a word was sometimes scrawled in large ugly letters across a whole passage — such words as "ancient myth," "discrepancy," "unscientific," etc.

I should fear a little for use a perpetual marginal calling in question of text.