Reading the Bible by Herder

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 9, 1857

Reading the Bible.

By Herder

LET us bring to the reading of the divine word perfect honesty, and a sincere heart. This is more necessary than any extraordinary understanding, or a glowing imagination. We do not listen to sermons for the purpose of making critical observations, and to inquire whether the theme has been well treated on or not; but the question is, how far it touches, profits and improves us. Let no one bring to the Bible a heart which is tainted with prejudice, whether it be against the Bible, or for this and that particular dogma of his church; otherwise he would be sure to see what he wishes to see. He would remain wrapped up in his own darling notions, and become only more expert than he was with seeing eyes, yet not seeing, and feeling heart, yet hardening himself. Let the soil of the heart be mellow and subdued, that God may convince, enlighten and improve—for he verily teaches men what they know.

With such sincerity in our dealings, what reverence for the word of God would take possession of us! Thou then, O man! art in a much nearer way to hold communion with thy God; the Omniscient One fills thy soul; that Omniscient One who was present in Isaiah and Paul when they spake and wrote. Who in a way unknown to us, held their hearts in his hands in order that they, from their inward depths, might think out that which was his will. Thou art before him; thou and thy thoughts are present to his all-knowing eye. What fear before thy God will thus awaken! how will it summon up thy powers in order to be found pure and holy before the Lord! So read, O man, the Bible! Read it only when perfectly qualified therefor; or when thy soul, abstracted from all earthly occupations, and freed from all distractions, is in a state to be a temple of God and of truth; then read thy Bible!—Herder.