Book of Books
109
not studied and meditated upon as it should be. If it were appreciated,
there would be an inward rectitude, a strength of spirit, that would
resist the temptations of Satan to do evil. A firm, decided will-power is
not brought into the life and character because the sacred instruction of
God is not made the study, and the subject of meditation. There is not
the effort put forth that there should be to associate the mind with pure,
holy thoughts and to divert it from what is impure and untrue. There
is not the choosing of the better part, the sitting at the feet of Jesus,
as did Mary, to learn the most sacred lessons of the divine Teacher,
that they may be laid up in the heart, and practiced in the daily life.
Meditation upon holy things will elevate and refine the mind, and will
develop Christian ladies and gentlemen.
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God will not accept one of us who is belittling his powers in
lustful, earthly debasement, by thought, or word, or action. Heaven is
a pure and holy place, where none can enter unless they are refined,
spiritualized, cleansed, and purified. There is a work for us to do for
ourselves, and we shall be capable of doing it only by drawing strength
from Jesus. We should make the Bible our study above every other
book; we should love it, and obey it as the voice of God. We are to see
and to understand His restrictions and requirements, “thou shalt” and
“thou shalt not,” and realize the true meaning of the word of God.
When God’s word is made the man of our counsel, and we search
the Scriptures for light, angels of heaven come near to impress the
mind, and enlighten the understanding, so that it can truly be said,
“The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto
the simple.” It is no marvel that there is not more heavenly-mindedness
shown among the youth who profess Christianity, when there is so little
attention given to the word of God. The divine counsels are not heeded;
the admonitions are not obeyed; grace and heavenly wisdom are not
sought, that past sins may be avoided, and every taint of corruption
be cleansed from the character. David’s prayer was, “Make me to
understand the way to Thy precepts: so shall I talk of Thy wondrous
works.”
If the minds of our youth, as well as those of more mature age, were
directed aright when associated together, their conversation would be
upon exalted themes. When the mind is pure, and the thoughts elevated
by the truth of God, the words will be of the same character, “like ap-
ples of gold in pictures of silver.” But with the present understanding,