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READING THE BIBLE

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 11, 1878

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 51, No. 15.

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READING THE BIBLE.

By A. S. Hutchins

Those who regard the Bible as the word of God cannot overestimate its teachings. Through this medium, God reveals to us his holiness and our sinfulness. Without it, we should be unable to comprehend either; for human reason would never have taught us the fall of man, nor the plan of salvation devised to redeem him and ultimately to crown him with life eternal.
The Scriptures were given to “make us wise unto salvation.”
1. They show us the necessity of salvation.
2. They show the nature of this salvation. They open to the mind “the forbearance of God,” and teach us how “that he might be just, and the justifier of him that believeth.”
3. They mark out the pathway of those who would suffer with Christ, that they may also reign with him. In this volume we read of the humiliation, sacrifice, self-denial, sufferings, and agony of the Son of God, in man’s behalf; and while suffering with him here, we are pointed to him for succor. “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
4. The word of inspiration reveals the second coming of Jesus, and conclusively shows that glorious event to be near, “even at the doors.” Dear reader, shall we heed the precepts of this blessed book?
“’Tis a pearl of price exceeding All the gems in ocean found; To its precepts ever listening, In its truths may I abound.”
As probationary hours are rapidly closing, we cannot too earnestly nor prayerfully take heed unto the counsels and admonitions of the Bible, “as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” Allow me, then, to ask our brethren and sisters, Do we read the Bible as much and as attentively as we should? Or do successive rounds of duties prevent a daily reading of God’s word? And if hitherto they have, can we not reform in this matter? Can there not be a habit established, enabling us to read each day a portion of the Scriptures? Can there not be time taken for this, notwithstanding the pressure of other duties?
Eld. Canright, not long ago, in remarks made for the benefit of those who go forth to labor as ambassadors for Christ, said he had learned that he could accomplish much more in the improvement of his own mind, and in benefiting others, by acting upon correctly established habits. He referred to the difficulty he had sometimes found in reading his Bible each day, until he had established the habit, without regard to surrounding circumstances, of reading so many chapters daily.
Reflecting upon his remarks, how I have desired the crystallization and utilization of these thoughts upon all our minds, my dear brethren and sisters. I certainly fear there are some professed commandment-keepers who hardly take up their Bible to read from the close of the Sabbath to its return again. Each day of the week comes, bringing its important duties. These are allowed to crowd upon our time, and we think justify a neglect of the Bible. We think we have no time to read that.
But the husbandman has time to plant and sow his seed, to repair and build fences, to secure his crops, to eat and drink, to visit friends, and often to read the weekly news one hour or more; and some have hours each week to spend in the stores, shops, and other places, where they go not to improve, but to murder, time. The mechanic, too, has his spare moments. And the housewife may be pressed with her domestic duties; but how many find time to consult the fashions of the day, and bend and change to them. How many cut, make, trim, and ornament their garments to meet or please the eye of some one besides themselves, while the mind is neglected.
I quote a few sentences from Testimony No. 2: “I saw that some professed Sabbath-keepers have spent hours that were worse than lost, studying this or that fashion, to decorate the poor mortal body. . . . I saw that young and old neglect their Bibles. They do not make that book their study and rule of life, as they should; especially do the young fail in this. . . . A day is coming, of clouds and thick darkness, when all will wish to be thoroughly furnished by the plain, simple truths of the word of God, that they may meekly, yet decidedly, give a reason of their hope. This reason of their hope, I saw they must have to strengthen their own souls for the fierce conflict. Without this, they are wanting, and cannot have firmness and decision.”
As the remnant church, endeavoring to keep all the commandments of God, and watching the signs of the soon-coming of our Lord and Saviour, we have received great light on the prophecies, the nature of man, the saints’ inheritance, the law of God, the holy Sabbath, and kindred subjects, for which we are indeed thankful. But to many the Bible is as a rich and productive mine when but just opened; we may dig deep and gather the truths more precious than gold. We may lay our hopes of eternal life upon the sure Rock. Of Timothy it is affirmed, “And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
Why should not the young among us know the Holy Scriptures? Why should not all heed the injunction of the Just One, “Search the Scriptures”? Why let the cares of this fleeting life deprive us of daily reading their life-giving, soul-inspiring promises, and treasuring up their counsels and reproofs? In these is the way of life. Why not, then, call to our aid an established habit in reading the Bible? Without system, without established habit, we can do but little successfully with the things of this world. How much less shall we make a success in the Christian warfare without fixed habits tending to promote our spirituality? “The fear of the Lord tendeth to life; and he that hath it shall abide satisfied.”
A. S. HUTCHINS.