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Scriptures a Safeguard
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words of the ministers. But are ministers infallible? How can we
trust our souls to their guidance unless we know from God’s word
that they are light-bearers? A lack of moral courage to step aside
from the beaten track of the world, leads many to follow in the steps
of learned men; and by their reluctance to investigate for themselves,
they are becoming hopelessly fastened in the chains of error. They
see that the truth for this time is plainly brought to view in the Bible,
and they feel the power of the Holy Spirit attending its proclamation;
yet they allow the opposition of the clergy to turn them from the light.
Though reason and conscience are convinced, these deluded souls
dare not think differently from the minister; and their individual
judgment, their eternal interests, are sacrificed to the unbelief, the
pride and prejudice, of another.
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Many are the forms of human influence through which Satan
works to bind his captives. He secures multitudes to himself by
attaching them by the silken cords of affection to those who are
enemies of the cross of Christ. Whatever this attachment may be,
parental, filial, conjugal, or social, the effect is the same; the op-
posers of truth rule with despotic power, and the souls held under
their sway have not sufficient courage or independence to obey their
own convictions of duty.
The truth and the glory of God are inseparable; it is impossible
for us, with the Bible within our reach, to honor God by erroneous
opinions. It is the first and highest duty of every rational being
to learn from the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the
light, and encourage others to follow his example. Ignorance of
God’s word is sin, when every provision has been made that we
may become wise. We should day by day study the Bible diligently,
weighing every thought, and comparing scripture with scripture.
With divine help, we are to form our opinions for ourselves, as we
are to answer for ourselves before God.
The truths most plainly revealed in the Bible have been involved
in doubt and darkness by learned men, who, with a pretense of great
wisdom, teach that the Scriptures have a mystical, a secret, spiritual
meaning not apparent in the language employed. These men are
false teachers. It was to such a class that Jesus declared, “Ye know
not the Scriptures, neither the power of God.” [
Mark 12:24
.] The
language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious
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