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Counsels on Sabbath School Work
men and women, who understand the Scriptures, and can rightly divide
the word of truth. The idea of holding Bible readings is a heaven-born
idea, and opens the way to put hundreds of young men and women
into the field to do an important work, which otherwise could not have
been done.
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The Bible is unchained. It can be carried to every man’s door,
and its truths may be presented to every man’s conscience. There are
many who, like the noble Bereans, will search the Scriptures daily for
themselves, when the truth is presented, to see whether or not these
things are so. Christ has said, “Search the Scriptures; for in them
ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.”
Jesus, the world’s Redeemer, bids men not only to read, but to “search
the Scriptures.” This is a great and important work, and it is committed
to us, and in doing this we shall be greatly benefited; for obedience
to Christ’s command will not go unrewarded. He will crown with
especial tokens of His favor this act of loyalty in following the light
revealed in His word.—
Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work, 29, 30
.
Regard for Christians in Other Churches
Do not make the Sabbath school lessons dry and spiritless. Leave
the impression upon the mind that the Bible, and the Bible alone, is
our rule of faith, and that the sayings and doings of men are not to be a
criterion for our doctrines or actions. One grand lesson must be taught
to the children, and that is that they must be free from every particle
of egotism and bigotry. Teach them that Christ died to save sinners,
and that those who are not of our faith are to be labored for with great
tenderness and forbearance, for their souls are precious in the sight
of God. No one must be regarded with contempt. There must be no
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Pharisaism, no self-righteousness.
There are many true Christians not of our faith, with whom we
come in contact, who live according to the best light that they have,
and they are in greater favor with God than are those who have greater
light but who have not improved it by showing corresponding works.
A Spirit of Tolerance
At one time the disciples found a man who was doing a work in
Christ’s name, and John, relating the matter to Jesus said, “We forbade