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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, October 15, 1867

FromThe Advent Review & Sabbath Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 18

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READING THE BIBLE FOR THIS—READING THE BIBLE FOR THAT.

By D. F. Newton

“LAMP of our feet! whereby we trace Our path when wont to stray; Stream from the fount of heavenly light— Brook by the traveler's way!”
Read the Bible! Multitudes read it, throughout the land. No book, perhaps, is read more than the Bible. Put the question to whom you please, in this land of Bibles, “Do you read the Bible?” The response is almost invariably in the affirmative. It is unpopular to be wholly ignorant of the contents of this blessed book; and yet, with all this reading, how very little is this sacred treasure understood and practised! How few, comparatively, appreciate its value, embrace it, clasp it to their bosoms, drink in its spirit joyfully! Why is it that so few, among the innumerable multitude of Bible readers, read the Bible understandingly and practically, with a firm resolve to make it a lamp to their feet, and a light to their path?
1. It is because many read it merely to have a general idea of what it contains, as a necessary part of polite education.
2. Many read it to obtain the means of proving the dogmas which they already profess.
3. Very many study the Bible from a spirit of pride or self-esteem, or with a design of being considered extremely wise in their own opinion of its contents.
4. Others make themselves familiar with the Holy Scriptures from no higher motive than to be able to explain it to others.
5. Some read it from a spirit of curiosity, without the least design of treasuring up or practising what they read.
6. Not a few read the Bible skeptically, or with a caviling spirit, to controvert its sacred pages.
7. Many study the Bible, or certain portions of it, merely to improve their style of composition.
8. Again, many make themselves familiar with certain parts of the Bible from necessity, to complete their education. This is true of lawyers, doctors, and judges of law.
9. A very large portion of the people, both old and young, read the Bible superficially, pass over its sacred contents hastily, inattentively, and irreverently, without the least desire or intention of being intellectually or spiritually benefited.
10. Others, again, read the Bible with very little profit, from the fact that they adopt no plan, no regular, systematic order in reading it.
11. Again, some read the Bible as they would any human author, without humility, due reverence, and godly fear.
12. The majority of Bible readers do not read God's book, mixed with faith and earnest prayer, for enlightenment.
13. Very many read the Scriptures without any special benefit, from the fact that they do not put away their sins. How can any one expect light from Heaven to shine upon him, enlightening his understanding to understand the Holy Scriptures, while living in open disobedience to any one command? “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me,” the Psalmist said. “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.” Psa. cxix, 101.
14. Finally, among the multitudes that read this holy book, very few, comparatively, read it with fervent prayer, with a full determination to know and do the whole will of God. This is the only reading of it that is really profitable. In this way, and only in this way, the spirit of it is caught, retained, and exhibited. “Open thou mine eyes,” says the inspired penman, “that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Josh. i, 8.—D. F. Newton.