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Testimonies for the Church Volume 8
If unbelievers desire to join your classes for the training of medical
missionaries, and you think that they would not exert an influence that
would draw other students away from the truth, give them a chance.
Some of your best missionaries may come from among them. They
have never heard the truth, and as they are placed where they are
surrounded with an influence that reveals the spirit of the Master,
some will be won to the truth. In the studies given, there should be
no concealment of one principle of Bible truth. If admitting to your
classes those not of our faith will lead to silence on the great themes
that concern our present and eternal good,—themes that should ever
be kept before the mind,—let them not be admitted. In no case is
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principle to be sacrificed or the peculiar characteristics of our faith
hidden in order to add outside students to our classes.
Faithful teachers should be placed in charge of the Bible classes,
teachers who will strive to make the students understand their lessons,
not by explaining everything to them, but by requiring them to explain
clearly every passage they read. Let these teachers remember that little
good will be accomplished by skimming over the surface of the word.
Thoughtful investigation and earnest, taxing study are required in order
for this word to be understood. There are truths in the word which,
like veins of precious ore, are hidden beneath the surface. The hidden
treasure is discovered as it is searched for, as a miner searches for gold
and silver. The evidence of the truth of God’s word is in the word
itself. Scripture is the key that unlocks scripture. The deep meaning of
the truths of God’s word is unfolded to our minds by His Spirit.
The Bible is the great lessonbook for the students in our schools.
It teaches the whole will of God concerning the sons and daughters of
Adam. It is the rule of life, teaching us of the character that we must
form for the future life. We need not the dim light of tradition to make
the Scriptures comprehensible. As well might we suppose that the
noonday sun needs the glimmering torchlight of earth to increase its
glory. The utterances of priest and minister are not needed to save men
from error. Those who consult the divine Oracle will have light. In the
Bible every duty is made plain. Every lesson given is comprehensible.
Every lesson reveals to us the Father and the Son. The word is able to
make all wise unto salvation. In the word the science of salvation is
plainly revealed. Search the Scriptures, for they are the voice of God
speaking to the soul.
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