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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 22, 1877

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 49, No. 12.

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READING

By Jos. Clarke

“Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” 1 Tim. 4:13.
Our minds are greatly influenced by the books and periodicals we daily peruse; all persons of age and experience will testify to this fact. If the Bible is daily read and studied, and such history as can be relied upon is read in connection with the divine word, with such a selection from the literature of the day as may be necessary to a proper knowledge of the times, how different the effect upon the mind from that caused by a careless way of reading whatever comes in our way without system or plan!
The great number and variety of modern publications, and most of these gotten up with a view of gain, and written often in a style conducive to pride and love of the fanciful, renders it necessary to be very careful what we read. A large per cent of the reading of the day is unfit for the attention and study of such as take the Bible as a rule of life.
It is not the design of this article to lay out any definite plan of reading, as circumstances greatly differ with us; but this we may be certain of: The Bible is too much neglected; the secular newspaper is often read in preference to this wonderful book; and the events, local, domestic, and foreign, chronicled in the secular paper, are too often better understood than the grand and glorious themes of Holy Writ.
The grand old Bible is not appreciated, because it is not daily studied with diligence and prayer. The more we read this blessed book, the more we value it. It seems to one who makes it a study, like a mine, all glistening with gold and precious stones. The study of the Bible corrects the taste and confirms good impressions. It begets a spirit of prayer and devotion, and uproots evil habits, and lights the narrow path to Heaven with a brilliant and heavenly light. It subdues our pride, while it sustains our courage, and increases our love for God and our fellow-men, and causes us to set a due value upon our own existence and our own talents as the gifts of God.
The Bible stimulates its reader to a course of improvement. It gives calmness, intelligence, and hope. It restrains by the gentlest means, and draws you to God with a silken cord. Its commands are always imperative, and its exhortations are positive; yet they never seem to use undue authority. The most imperative commands are given in a tone of love, respect, and esteem; and its mildest form of persuasion never sinks to a level with the transgressor.
It is a book of wonders. It commences so far back that wicked men shrink in unbelief, and it reaches so far forward to future events that scoffers turn from it with scorn. The good, the pure, alone, properly value the Bible. There is a natural affinity which goodness has for goodness; and like allies itself to like. Truth has a regard for truth, and virtue is recognized by virtue. As light joins its rays with light, so the good and the true recognize in the word of God the marks of divinity.
For such reasons the wisest of men seek for wisdom and strength from the word of God. It is their fountain of light and life. Paul made it his study and his delight, and he directs young Timothy to do the same. It was the guide of all ancient prophets and apostles, and of the good of all past ages.
Give attention to reading. A mind preoccupied with the Bible is already fortified; but it needs a daily supply. It should come often, fresh from the fountain; then the life of the Christian becomes radiant with faith and hope and love.
Jos. CLARKE.