THE BIBLE by W. W. Stebbins

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 4, 1862

THE BIBLE.

By W. W. Stebbins

WRITTEN FOR THE YOUNG.

Who can comprehend the worth of this sacred volume? As we take up this justly called Book of books for the purpose of learning therefrom our duty, the prayer of our hearts should be for wisdom to understand it. It should be our delight and our aim to study and peruse its contents.

But let us inquire before we proceed further, What is the Bible? It is emphatically the revealed will of God to man. How our hearts should swell with love and gratitude to the all-wise Being, that when the human family stood in so much need of a light by which our wayward feet might be guided while traveling through the dark night of time a guide was given us. A guide, too, that if followed will lead us into the enjoyment of all the great blessings it promises. Imagine a ship on the great and broad ocean without a chart or compass by which to steer its course, and you have a fair illustration of a world without the Bible.

But what makes this book so interesting to the Bible student? It is because that in it we read the lives of holy prophets and apostles, and better still, the great crowning biography of Jesus Christ, and all those great and important truths that are necessary for our salvation.

And it is doubly sweet to the afflicted. For if they follow its teachings it will lead them where afflictions never come. Having at the same time the assurance that it is all true because it is the inspired word of God. And says the wise man, Every word of God is pure. O, who, who can deny the divine authenticity of this book! O, who can read the sufferings and death of the Son of God without its melting their hearts in humble contrition, even if they possessed the qualities of adamant?

Again, we ought to make this book our chief study and delight, because that in it is contained our whole duty, both to God and our fellow-men.

This subject might be greatly enlarged, but I forbear. Time would fail us. The feeble mind of man is too weak to comprehend the worth of this book. The psalmist David exclaims, Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. Then, my dear young friends, let us be more diligent to study and peruse its sacred pages, heed its admonitions and warnings, and obey the sweet voice of the Saviour when he says, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

My dear friends, my earnest prayer is that we may meet on mount Zion, and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb.

W. W. STEBBINS.

Nile, N. Y.