Chapter 14—The Book of Books
The study of the Bible will give strength to the intellect. Says
the psalmist, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth under-
standing unto the simple.” [
Psalm 119:130
.] The question has often
been asked me, “Should the Bible become the important book in our
schools?” It is a precious book, a wonderful book. It is a treasury
containing jewels of precious value. It is a history that opens to us the
past centuries. Without the Bible we should have been left to conjec-
tures and fables in regard to the occurrences of past ages. Of all the
books that have flooded the world, be they ever so valuable, the Bible
is the Book of books, and is most deserving of the closest study and
attention. It gives not only the history of the creation of this world, but
a description of the world to come. It contains instruction concerning
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the wonders of the universe, and it reveals to our understanding the
Author of the heavens and the earth. It unfolds a simple and complete
system of theology and philosophy. Those who are close students
of the word of God, and who obey its instructions, and love its plain
truths, will improve in mind and manners. It is an endowment of God
that should awaken in every heart the most sincere gratitude; for it is
the revelation of God to man.
If the truths of the Bible are woven into practical life, they will
bring the mind up from its earthliness and debasement. Those who are
conversant with the Scriptures, will be found to be men and women
who exert an elevating influence. In searching for the heaven-revealed
truths, the Spirit of God is brought into close connection with the
sincere searcher of the Scriptures. An understanding of the revealed
will of God, enlarges the mind, expands, elevates, and endows it with
new vigor, by bringing its faculties in contact with stupendous truths.
If the study of the Scriptures is made a secondary consideration, great
loss is sustained. The Bible was for a time excluded from our schools,
and Satan found a rich field, in which he worked with marvelous
rapidity, and gathered a harvest to his liking.
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