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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, January 21, 1868

RULES FOR BIBLE READING.

At this time, when so many are beginning with the year to read the Bible through, we take pleasure in laying before them the following “rules,” sent us for the Review by D. F. Newton, author of Shining Light, &c. We believe that much benefit will be derived from a practical application of them.

I. For the improvement of the understanding.

Rule 1. Begin your Bible-reading with prayer for the divine instruction.

2. Attend carefully to the narrative.

3. Observe the doctrine.

4. Note every prediction and promise, together with times and institutions, both civil and religious.

5. Attend to the types of Jesus Christ.

6. Attend to the characters and conduct of the principal persons, and consider their excellences and defects.

7. Consider the practical uses to which the different texts may be applied.

8. Observe God’s faithfulness in keeping his promises and in fulfilling his prophecies.

9. Render thanks to God for the light you receive, and ask his blessing to attend the endeavors you are making to become wise.

II. For the improvement of the heart.

Rule 1. Read the Bible in the spirit of constant prayer.

2. Believe what you read.

3. Cherish a humble desire to learn and know the truth, and that you may feel its power and sanctifying influence.

4. Read a little, frequently, and meditate on what you read.

5. Receive the whole Bible as God’s instruction for the salvation of your soul.

6. Read the whole Bible in connection, and compare one part with another, so as to know the whole truth, and its saving application.

7. Use such helps as you have, to ascertain its literal meaning.

8. Observe the testimony of the whole Bible to Jesus Christ.

9. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.

THE BIBLE ITS OWN INTERPRETER.

A careful, candid comparison of parallel passages of Scripture will remove a number of infidel objections. Worthy of all attention is the remark of Bishop Horsley: “It were to be wished that no Bibles were printed without references. Particular diligence should be used in comparing the parallel texts of the Old and New Testaments. It is incredible to any one who has not made the experiment, what a proficiency may be made in that knowledge which maketh wise unto salvation, by studying the Scriptures in this manner, without any other commentary or exposition than what the different parts of the sacred volume mutually furnish for each other. Let the most illiterate Christian study them in this manner, and let him never cease to pray for the illumination of that Spirit by which these books were dictated; and the whole compass of abstruse philosophy, and recondite history, shall furnish no argument with which the perverse will of man shall be able to shake the learned Christian’s faith.”

“Upon this life’s uneven way, As we are swiftly driven, It sheds a bright, celestial ray, It points to an eternal day, And bids us strive for Heaven.”