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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
school of the prince of darkness and which are opposed to loyalty to
God. It means to overcome stubbornness, pride, selfishness, worldly
ambition, and unbelief. It is the message of deliverance from sin.—
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 11, 12
(1913).
Inspires the Mind—In the Word of God the mind finds subjects
for the deepest thought, the loftiest aspirations. Here we may hold
communion with patriarchs and prophets and listen to the voice of the
Eternal as He speaks with men. Here we behold the Majesty of heaven
as He humbled Himself to become our substitute and surety, to cope
single-handed with the powers of darkness, and to gain the victory in
our behalf. A reverent contemplation of such themes as these cannot
fail to soften, purify, and ennoble the heart, and at the same time to
inspire the mind with new strength and vigor.—
Counsels to Parents,
Teachers, and Students, 52, 53
(1913).
It Reveals the Purpose of Life—But that which above all other
considerations should lead us to prize the Bible is that in it is revealed
to men the will of God. Here we learn the object of our creation and
the means by which that object may be attained. We learn how to
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improve wisely the present life and how to secure the future life. No
other book can satisfy the questionings of the mind or the cravings
of the heart. By obtaining a knowledge of God’s Word and giving
heed thereto, men may rise from the lowest depths of degradation to
become the sons of God, the associates of sinless angels.—
Counsels
to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 53, 54
(1913).
Parables to Impress and Awaken Minds—God designs that our
minds shall be impressed, awakened, and instructed by His sacred
parables. He would have nature counteract the attempts made to
divorce science from Bible Christianity. He desires that the things
of nature that greet our senses shall hold the attention and imprint
heavenly truths upon the mind.—
The Youth’s Instructor, May 6, 1897
.
The Bible Without a Rival—As an educating power the Bible is
without a rival. Nothing will so impart vigor to all the faculties as
requiring students to grasp the stupendous truths of revelation. The
mind gradually adapts itself to the subjects upon which it is allowed to
dwell. If occupied with commonplace matters only, to the exclusion
of grand and lofty themes, it will become dwarfed and enfeebled. If
never required to grapple with difficult problems or put to the stretch