Basic HTML Version
308
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
steps of Jehovah. So today we are to consider the dealings of God
with the nations of the earth. We are to see in history the fulfill-
ment of prophecy, to study the workings of Providence in the great
[380]
reformatory movements, and to understand the progress of events
in the marshaling of the nations for the final conflict of the great
controversy.
Such study will give broad, comprehensive views of life. It will
help us to understand something of its relations and dependencies,
how wonderfully we are bound together in the great brotherhood of
society and nations, and to how great an extent the oppression and
degradation of one member means loss to all.
But history, as commonly studied, is concerned with man’s
achievements, his victories in battle, his success in attaining power
and greatness. God’s agency in the affairs of men is lost sight of.
Few study the working out of His purpose in the rise and fall of
nations.
And to a large degree theology, as studied and taught, is but
a record of human speculation, serving only to darken “counsel
by words without knowledge.”
Job 38:2
. Too often the motive in
accumulating these many books is not so much a desire to obtain
food for mind and soul, as it is an ambition to become acquainted
with philosophers and theologians, a desire to present Christianity
to the people in learned terms and propositions.
Not all the books written can serve the purpose of a holy life.
“Learn of Me,” said the Great Teacher, “take My yoke upon you,
learn My meekness and lowliness.” Your intellectual pride will not
aid you in communicating with souls that are perishing for want of
the bread of life. In your study of these books you are allowing them
to take the place of the practical lessons you should be learning from
[381]
Christ. With the results of this study the people are not fed. Very
little of the research which is so wearying to the mind furnishes that
which will help one to be a successful laborer for souls.
The Saviour came “to preach the gospel to the poor.”
Luke 4:18
.
In His teaching He used the simplest terms and the plainest symbols.
And it is said that “the common people heard Him gladly.”
Mark
12:37
. Those who are seeking to do His work for this time need a
deeper insight into the lessons He has given.