Bible in Educational Work
45
improved. The faculties need to be strengthened by exercise, the mind
to be trained and expanded by taxing study; but all this may be done
while the heart is becoming an easy prey to deception. Wisdom from
above must be communicated to the soul. It is the entrance of God’s
word that “giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” His
word is given for our instruction, and there is nothing in it that is
defective or misleading. The Bible is not to be tested by men’s ideas of
science, but science is to be brought to the test of the unerring standard.
Yet the study of the sciences is not to be neglected. Books must be
used for this purpose: but they should be in harmony with the Bible,
[57]
for that is the standard. Books of this character should take the place
of many of those now in the hands of students. God is the author of
science. Scientific research opens to the mind vast fields of thought and
information, enabling us to see God in his created works. Ignorance
may try to support skepticism by appeals to science; but instead of
doing this, science contributes fresh evidences of the wisdom and
power of God. Rightly understood, science and the written word agree,
and each sheds light on the other. Together they lead us to God, by
teaching us something of the wise and beneficent laws through which
he works.
When the student recognizes God as the source of all knowledge,
and honors him, submitting mind and character to be molded by his
word, he may claim the promise, “Them that honor me I will honor.”
The more studiously the intellect is cultivated, the more effectively it
can be used in the service of God, if it is placed under the control of
his Spirit. Talents used are talents multiplied; experience in spiritual
things widens the vision of saints and angels, and both increase in
capability and knowledge as they work in their respective spheres.
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of
God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding
out.”
May 16, 1896.
[58]