In this 1899 address, Alfred Tyler Perry argues for the central importance of the Bible as a book that has influenced history, literature, and culture for centuries. Perry draws on his extensive knowledge of the Bible and bibliographic scholarship to offer insights into its place in the world's great books. He also celebrates the unique qualities of the Bible as a text that can inspire and challenge readers in profound ways. Scholars of religious studies and the history of the book will find Perry's address a valuable resource. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.