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Counsels on Sabbath School Work
Nazareth, the Son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there
any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Prejudice and unbelief sprang
up in the heart of Nathanael, but Philip did not try to combat it. He
said, “Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and saith
of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael
saith unto Him, Whence knowest Thou me? Jesus answered and said
unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig
tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, Thou
art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel.”
How easily was Nathanael convinced! And with what pleasure
Jesus looked upon his sincere, guileless faith! “Jesus answered and
said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree,
believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And He saith
unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven
open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son
of man.” God never honors unbelief and questioning and doubt. When
He speaks, His word is to be recognized and carried out in the daily
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actions. And if the heart of man is in living connection with God, the
voice that cometh from above will be recognized.
Controversy to Be Avoided
While there is need of thorough investigation of the word of God,
that precious truth may be discovered and brought to light, we should
be guarded, that the spirit of controversy does not control in our dis-
cussions of the Sabbath school lesson. In bringing out points upon
which there may be a difference of opinion, the grace of Christ should
be manifested by those who are seeking for an understanding of the
word of God. There should be liberty given for a frank investigation
of truth, that each may know for himself what is the truth. Among the
pupils of the Sabbath school there should be a spirit of investigation,
that those who are old enough to discern evidence may be encouraged
to search for fresh rays of light, and to appreciate all that God may
send to His people. The light which God will send to His people will
never appear unless there is a diligent searching of the word of truth.
The world is full of all manner of error of a misleading nature, and
it is essential that both pupils and teachers know that they know what is
truth. There is need that we reverence the word of God and recognize