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Steps to Christ
will be a hungering and thirsting of soul to become like Him whom
we adore. The more our thoughts are upon Christ, the more we shall
speak of Him to others and represent Him to the world.
The Bible was not written for the scholar alone; on the contrary,
it was designed for the common people. The great truths necessary
for salvation are made as clear as noonday; and none will mistake and
lose their way except those who follow their own judgment instead of
the plainly revealed will of God.
We should not take the testimony of any man as to what the Scrip-
tures teach, but should study the words of God for ourselves. If we
allow others to do our thinking, we shall have crippled energies and
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contracted abilities. The noble powers of the mind may be so dwarfed
by lack of exercise on themes worthy of their concentration as to lose
their ability to grasp the deep meaning of the word of God. The mind
will enlarge if it is employed in tracing out the relation of the subjects
of the Bible, comparing scripture with scripture and spiritual things
with spiritual.
There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than
the study of the Scriptures. No other book is so potent to elevate the
thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of
the Bible. If God’s word were studied as it should be, men would have
a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose
rarely seen in these times.
But there is but little benefit derived from a hasty reading of the
Scriptures. One may read the whole Bible through and yet fail to see
its beauty or comprehend its deep and hidden meaning. One passage
studied until its significance is clear to the mind and its relation to the
plan of salvation is evident, is of more value than the perusal of many
chapters with no definite purpose in view and no positive instruction
gained. Keep your Bible with you. As you have opportunity, read it;
fix the texts in your memory. Even while you are walking the streets
you may read a passage and meditate upon it, thus fixing it in the mind.
We cannot obtain wisdom without earnest attention and prayerful
study. Some portions of Scripture are indeed too plain to be misunder-
stood, but there are others whose meaning does not lie on the surface
to be seen at a glance. Scripture must be compared with scripture.
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There must be careful research and prayerful reflection. And such
study will be richly repaid. As the miner discovers veins of precious