Search the Scriptures by E. W. Rice

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · Jul 15, 1875

Search the Scriptures.

By E. W. Rice

"Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." John 5:39. Dear brethren and sisters, in taking up the subject of studying the Scriptures, I do not know as I shall bring out any new ideas; but will try to refresh your minds, and stir you up to duty. What is meant by searching, or seeking; we are all well informed. When anything is lost the first thought is to "search for it." Webster thus defines to search: "To look over or through, for the purpose of finding something." "To inquire after, to seek for." Well, dear brethren, how is it; are we looking over the groundwork of our faith and hope, or are we carelessly drifting along with the current, or stranded upon some sand bar? Do we realize the time, and the responsibility that we are under to search the word of God? Hear Paul; in the Acts he brings to our view a class that were more noble than those in Thessalonica, and why? First, because they were more noble in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and secondly, because they searched the Scriptures daily.

How many of us take up the Bible and read a chapter at the morning altar, perhaps we get one of the very shortest in the New Testament, and read it hastily, then offer a short—shall I say—prayer, and then comes a hurry and a rush for the cares of life. Again, in the evening, the same scene presents itself with perhaps this difference, that we are so worn out that it is almost impossible to keep awake. May we repent and seek that we may find pardon.

Isa. 8:20 says: "To the law and to the testimonies; if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them." Why this testimony? Because the powers of darkness are great in the earth, and we must have a more thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. We must gird on the whole armour. Again, What are we to look for? We profess to be looking for the return of our Lord and Saviour, but can we expect to meet him in peace when we have neglected to search his word? In other words, should he now come would we have time to meet him in peace? I think not. Oh, says one, I have no time to read the Bible, I have so much to do, but I mean to make a change in my business; but then time flies, and no change. Oh! fatal delusion. Christ says in Matt. 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. In Luke he says: "And I say unto you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find."

Now, dear brethren and sisters, if we neglect this injunction, "Search the Scriptures," do we not do so at the peril of our lives? I think we do. There is a time coming when whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it. In Luke 13:24 we are admonished in stronger terms, if possible. He says: "Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. Will this be our lot, will we seek the Lord for a few days, and then cease the struggle, or shall we nobly strive on till victory shall turn on Israel's side? My prayer is that we may all drink deep at salvation's well, that we may, through the atoning blood of our Saviour, hear that welcome voice saying to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant," "enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." This is the earnest desire and prayer of you brother in Christ,

E. W. RICE.

San Francisco, July 3, 1875.