Book of Books
87
The understanding takes the level of the things with which it be-
comes familiar. If all would make the Bible their study, we should
see a people further developed, capable of thinking more deeply, and
showing a greater degree of intelligence, than the most earnest efforts
in studying merely the sciences and histories of the world could make
them. The Bible gives the true seeker an advanced mental discipline,
and he comes from contemplation of divine things with his faculties
enriched; self is humbled, while God and his revealed truth are exalted.
It is because men are unacquainted with the precious Bible histories,
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that there is so much lifting up of man, and so little honor given to
God. The Bible contains just that quality of food that the Christian
needs in order that he may grow strong in spirit and intellect. The
searching of all books of philosophy and science cannot do for the
mind and morals what the Bible can do, if it is studied and practiced.
Through the study of the Bible, converse is held with patriarchs and
prophets. The truth is clothed in elevated language, which exerts a
fascinating power over the mind; the thought is lifted up from the
things of earth, and brought to contemplate the glory of the future
immortal life. What wisdom of man can compare with the grandeur of
the revelation of God? Finite man, who knows not God, may seek to
lessen the value of the Scriptures, and may bury the truth beneath the
supposed knowledge of science.
Those who boast of wisdom beyond the teaching of the word of
God, need to drink deeper of the fountain of knowledge, that they
may learn their real ignorance. There is a boasted wisdom of men,
that is foolishness in the sight of God. Let no man deceive himself.
“If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him
become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is
foolishness with God: for it is written, He taketh the wise in their own
craftiness.” [
1 Corinthians 3:19
.] Those who have only this wisdom,
need to become fools in their own estimation. The greatest ignorance
that now curses the human race is in regard to the binding claims of the
law of God; and this ignorance is the result of neglecting the study of
the word of God. It is Satan’s determined plan to so engage and absorb
the mind, that God’s great guide book shall not be the Book of books,
and that the sinner may not be led from the path of transgression to the
path of obedience.
The Bible is not exalted to its place, and yet of what infinite impor-
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