Chapter 16—The Book of Books
The study of the Bible will give strength to the intellect. Says
the Psalmist, “The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth un-
derstanding unto the simple.” The question has often been asked me,
“Should the Bible become the important book in our schools?” It is
a precious book, a wonderful book. It is a treasury containing jewels
of precious value. It is a history that opens to us the past centuries.
Without the Bible we should have been left to conjectures and fables
in regard to the occurrences of past ages. Of all the books that have
flooded the world, be they ever so valuable, the Bible is the Book of
books, and is most deserving of the closest study and attention. It gives
not only the history of the creation of this world, but a description
of the world to come. It contains instruction concerning the wonders
of the universe, and it reveals to our understanding the Author of the
heavens and the earth. It unfolds a simple and complete system of
theology and philosophy. Those who are close students of the word
of God, and who obey its instructions, and love its plain truths, will
improve in mind and manners. It is an endowment of God that should
awaken in every heart the most sincere gratitude; for it is the revelation
of God to man.
If the truths of the Bible are woven into practical life, they will
bring the mind up from its earthliness and debasement. Those who are
conversant with the Scriptures, will be found to be men and women
who exert an elevating influence. In searching for the heaven-revealed
truths, the Spirit of God is brought into close connection with the
sincere searcher of the Scriptures. An understanding of the revealed
will of God, enlarges the mind, expands, elevates, and endows it with
new vigor, by bringing its faculties in contact with stupendous truths.
If the study of the Scriptures is made a secondary consideration, great
[130]
loss is sustained. The Bible was for a time excluded from our schools,
and Satan found a rich field, in which he worked with marvelous
rapidity, and gathered a harvest to his liking.
106