THE ONE BOOK by Milton Clarence Wilcox

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Aug 2, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 31.

THE ONE BOOK.

By Milton Clarence Wilcox

GOD'S Word is not many, but one. Altho it was written at different times, under varied circumstances, by men of diverse callings, the same spirit of unity runs through the entire sixty-six parts. The one purpose dominates the whole Book, the revelation of God, a Friend, a Saviour. Every circumstance, every history, every biography, every outworking of principle, is given to reveal man's need of a Saviour, his utter insufficiency alone, and that God has met that need in Jesus Christ.

And in the Book God has given lessons for all time, for all ages, for all conditions of human life. It speaks to the ruler and to the slave; to the prince and to the peasant; to the rich and to the poor; to the pious and to the profane; to the despairing and to the hopeful; to the well and to the sick; to the righteous and to the sinner; to the youth and to the aged. And, blessed be God, it brings to each and all a message of hope, and strength, and life, if the message is so received.

That the Lord might speak to all men of all conditions, He used all sorts of men, under varying conditions, in different ages, to bring to us His message. God is the great Master Musician; His messengers are different instruments through which He sings or speaks to the world His teachings. The distinctive tones of the instruments are recognized, some in the very nature of things more melodious and sympathetic than others, but behind the instrument is the Master. God uses the learned and meek Moses, the well-instructed and humble Joshua, the faithful Samuel, the bold Nathan, the shepherd poet-king David, the wise man Solomon, poetic Isaiah, the sorrowful priest Jeremiah, and the mighty Ezekiel, filled with the visions of God, the holy and beloved prime minister Daniel, the herdman Amos, the fishermen James and John and Andrew and Peter, the tax gatherer Levi, the learned Pharisee Paul, the beloved physician Luke, and many others, male and female, God uses to instruct the people of earth. The instruments are many; the Master is One, the Spirit which breathes through all is the one Spirit of Christ.

Then, fellow pilgrim, receive the Word. You will not, can not, know all it contains; the men who wrote the various parts did not see the meaning of all they wrote. Angels do not yet see it all. You will not see the bearing some things in that Word have, because you do not know the circumstances. You can not even see the utter wretched condition of yourself apart from God, and never can, even tho you meet its sad end, eternal death; but God reveals it in His Word, and you may know it by faith. You can not see how Christ, the Innocent, died for you, the Guilty; how by His power He can change your character and make you like Himself, but He can do this, and will if you will only believe—only submit to Him fully. There is hopelessness and death apart from the Word of God. There is hope and life in it to all who believe. "To you is the word of this salvation sent;" will you not receive it and live? M. C. WILCOX.