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Fundamentals of Christian Education
in bringing out the force of Christ’s lessons; but it is not positively
necessary to know these things. The wayfaring man may find the
pathway cast up for the ransomed to walk in, and there will be no
excuse found for any one who perishes through misapprehension of
the Scriptures.
In the Bible every vital principle is declared, every duty made plain,
every obligation made evident. The whole duty of man is summed up
by the Saviour. He says, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.... Thou shalt love
thy neighbor as thyself.” In the word the plan of salvation is plainly
delineated. The gift of eternal life is promised on condition of saving
faith in Christ. The drawing power of the Holy Spirit is pointed out as
an agent in the work of man’s salvation. The rewards of the faithful,
the punishment of the guilty, are all laid out in clear lines. The Bible
contains the science of salvation for all those who will hear and do the
words of Christ.
The apostle says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished
unto all good works.” The Bible is its own expositor. One passage will
prove to be a key that will unlock other passages, and in this way light
will be shed upon the hidden meaning of the word. By comparing
different texts treating on the same subject, viewing their bearing on
every side, the true meaning of the Scriptures will be made evident.
Many think that they must consult commentaries on the Scriptures
in order to understand the meaning of the word of God, and we would
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not take the position that commentaries should not be studied; but it
will take much discernment to discover the truth of God under the
mass of the words of men. How little has been done by the church
as a body professing to believe the Bible, to gather up the scattered
jewels of God’s word into one perfect chain of truth! The jewels of
truth do not lie upon the surface, as many suppose. The master mind
in the confederacy of evil is ever at work to keep the truth out of sight,
and to bring into full view the opinions of great men. The enemy is
doing all in his power to obscure heaven’s light through educational
processes; for he does not mean that men shall hear the voice of the
Lord, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it.”