Nature a Lesson Book
[
Christ’s Object Lessons, 24-27
(1900).]
Christ taught His disciples by the lake, on the mountainside, in the
fields and groves, where they could look upon the things of nature by
which He illustrated His teachings. And as they learned of Christ they
put their knowledge to use by co-operating with Him in His work.
So through the creation we are to become acquainted with the
Creator. The book of nature is a great lesson book, which in connection
with the Scriptures we are to use in teaching others of His character
and guiding lost sheep back to the fold of God. As the works of God
are studied, the Holy Spirit flashes conviction into the mind. It is not
the conviction that logical reasoning produces, but unless the mind has
become too dark to know God, the eye too dim to see Him, the ear too
dull to hear His voice, a deeper meaning is grasped, and the sublime,
spiritual truths of the written word are impressed on the heart.
In these lessons direct from nature there is a simplicity and purity
that makes them of the highest value. All need the teaching to be
derived from this source. In itself the beauty of nature leads the soul
away from sin and worldly attractions and toward purity, peace, and
God. Too often the minds of students are occupied with men’s theories
and speculations, falsely called science and philosophy. They need to
be brought into close contact with nature. Let them learn that creation
and Christianity have one God. Let them be taught to see the harmony
of the natural with the spiritual. Let everything which their eyes see
or their hands handle be made a lesson in character building. Thus
the mental powers will be strengthened, the character developed, the
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whole life ennobled.
Christ’s purpose in parable teaching was in direct line with the
purpose of the Sabbath. God gave to men the memorial of His creative
power, that they might discern Him in the works of His hand. The
Sabbath bids us behold in His created works the glory of the Creator.
And it was because He desired us to do this that Jesus bound up His
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