Bible Study and Prayer Essential
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the believer may be complete in Christ is unfolded.—
The Youth’s
Instructor, May 18, 1893
.
Cultivate a Taste for the Bible—Unless the mind is used, it will
cease to expand; unless the taste is cultivated to love the Bible, it will
cease to relish the truths of God’s Word. The student can see only to
the depth of what he has explored, and he cannot appreciate that which
lies beyond the compass of his own narrow boundaries. But his very
ignorance will make him conceited, talkative, and boastful.
What can I say to you, young men and young women, to arouse
you to vigor in your efforts to overcome obstacles? Mental effort will
become easier and more satisfactory as you put yourselves to the task
of understanding the deep things of God. You should each decide that
you will not be a second-class student, that you will not allow others to
think for you. You should say, “That which other minds have acquired
in the sciences and in the Word of God, I will obtain for myself through
painstaking effort.” You can rally the mind’s best powers, and with a
sense of your accountability to God, you can do your best, and you
will not cease to advance, and to conquer difficulties.
Do not settle down in slothful ease, making no special effort to
accomplish your work. Make a choice of some part in the large
vineyard of the Master, and do a work that will require the exercise of
tact and talent. As much as possible, place yourselves in the society of
those who are intellectual, who will be able to detect your mistakes,
and to put you on your guard against indolence, pretension, and surface
work. A blusterer will be recognized and set down for just what he is
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worth and no more.—RH, May 20, 1890.
Study of the Bible Develops the Intellect—“Sanctify them
through thy truth: thy word is truth.” The Word of God should be
made the great educating power. How shall students know the truth,
except by a close, earnest, persevering study of the Word? Here is
the grand stimulus, the hidden force which quickens the mental and
physical powers, and directs the life into right channels. Here in the
Word is wisdom, poetry, history, biography, and the most profound
philosophy. Here is a study that quickens the mind into a vigorous and
healthy life, and awakens it to the highest exercise. It is impossible to
study the Bible with a humble, teachable spirit, without developing and
strengthening the intellect. Those who become best acquainted with
the wisdom and purpose of God as revealed in His Word become men