Schools of the Prophets
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and “through thy precepts I get understanding.” [
Psalm 119:104
.] God
has revealed himself to us in his word and in the works of creation.
Through the volume of inspiration and the book of nature, we are to
obtain a knowledge of God.
It is a law of the mind that it gradually adapts itself to the subjects
upon which it is trained to dwell. If occupied with commonplace
matters only, it will become dwarfed and enfeebled. If never required
to grapple with difficult problems, it will after a time almost lose the
power of growth. As an educating power, the Bible is without a rival.
In the word of God the mind finds subject for the deepest thought, the
loftiest aspiration. The Bible is the most instructive history that men
possess. It came fresh from the fountain of eternal truth, and a divine
hand has preserved its purity through all the ages. It lights up the far-
distant past, where human research seeks vainly to penetrate. In God’s
word we behold the power that laid the foundation of the earth and
that stretched out the heavens. Here only can we find a history of our
race, unsullied by human prejudice or human pride. Here are recorded
the struggles, the defeats, and the victories of the greatest men this
world has ever known. Here the great problems of duty and destiny
are unfolded. The curtain that separates the visible from the invisible
world is lifted, and we behold the conflict of the opposing forces of
good and evil, from the first entrance of sin, to the final triumph of
righteousness and truth; and all is but a revelation of the character of
God. In the reverent contemplation of the truths presented in his word,
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the mind of the student is brought into communion with the infinite
mind. Such a study will not only refine and ennoble the character, but
it cannot fail to expand and invigorate the mental powers.
The teaching of the Bible has a vital bearing upon man’s prosper-
ity in all the relations of this life. It unfolds the principles that are
the corner-stone of a nation’s prosperity,—principles with which is
bound up the well-being of society, and which are the safeguard of
the family,—principles without which no man can attain usefulness,
happiness, and honor in this life, or can hope to secure the future, im-
mortal life. There is no position in life, no phase of human experience,
for which the teaching of the Bible is not an essential preparation.
Studied and obeyed, the word of God would give to the world men of
stronger and more active intellect than will the closest application to
all the subjects that human philosophy embraces. It would give men