Untitled article by John Nevins Andrews

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, February 4, 1868

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 8

"TO VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE."

By John Nevins Andrews

This is the second element that Peter bids us add to our faith in the formation of our Christian character. Ignorance of divine things is the result of inexcusable neglect. Those who have not the Bible and the light of the gospel are ignorant from causes that they cannot help. But such is not the case with us. God has caused great light to shine on our pathway. He will hold us accountable for the manner in which we treat it. It is to be feared that few of us are making progress in the knowledge of the truth, with the ample facilities that we possess. Why are we so slow in learning the knowledge of the truth?

1. Because we do not know that it is important that we should. Sincerity in ignorance is supposed to be just as acceptable to God as an understanding of his revealed will. If that be so, then the benighted heathen are just as acceptable in the sight of God as the most enlightened Christian.

2. Because we read the Bible so little. Our business drives us so that we have no time for its perusal. Or other books interest us more; or we have no taste to read anything, mental laziness being no small element in the character of many who call themselves disciples, i. e., learners.

3. Because our minds are so engrossed with worldly business, or with the joys or sorrows of life, that we have no place for thoughtful, serious reflection, and mental improvement.

This ought not so to be. Knowledge is an element of Christian character. That will be a dwarfed and ill-balanced character in which this element is wanting. Such persons will remain babes in understanding, and will even be an element of weakness in the church, and never a source of strength. How may this great existing evil be remedied? I answer:

1. Our people must take time to read the Bible regularly and prayerfully every day. Read it in course. You will read it as much in other respects and perhaps more. Our ministers should read the Bible more. They can find time by early rising.

2. The volumes of Spiritual Gifts should also be read regularly and connectedly. I know of no reading that will be found so instructive in opening to the understanding the Holy Scriptures and the deep things of the Spirit of God. I have found the stated perusal of these volumes exceedingly profitable.

3. I do earnestly recommend the attentive, careful reading of the Review. It presents a great amount of most excellent instruction each week. I make it a point to read each paper carefully from beginning to end. I am greatly instructed by so doing. I beg our brethren to make an earnest effort to read all the articles in each number. In so doing they will find instruction in every part of Christian experience; they will also learn the reasons of our faith and hope, and they may also obtain a very good general knowledge of the condition of the world at large.

If we do not diligently improve our time and our privileges we shall suffer great loss. God has favored us with great blessings. Let us not slight them to our own ruin.

4. We have also works on every point of present truth. I beseech the readers of the Review to take pains to inform themselves in these things. Select such works as treat on those subjects that you do not yet fully understand. Read these carefully, taking time to look out the Scriptures referred to. Meditate on these things with prayerful interest.

Those who will attend to this work will have something in their minds to think of besides cattle and horses, farms and merchandise. They will have a good treasure in their hearts, out of which they can bring forth good things.

Add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge. To this add in order all the Christian graces. It is the knowledge of divine truth that enlarges the mind to grasp the wonderful things of the Spirit of God. "That the soul be without knowledge, is not good."

J. N. ANDREWS.