Search the Scriptures

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 21, 1858

“Search the Scriptures.”

THERE is a great difference between reading and searching the Scriptures. There have been, and still are, many that read much; but our knowledge of divine truth depends more upon the manner we read, than upon the quantity. Dr. Gouge, it is said, read fifteen chapters a day; Jeremiah Whittaker read all the Epistles of the New Testament in Greek, every week; and Roger Cotton read the whole Bible through twelve times every year.

This rapid reading of the Bible is not the most profitable. I have been impressed of late, more than ever, with the necessity of “meditating in the law of the Lord,” of pausing and reflecting upon the portions we read, of looking at it from different stand-points, till we are sure we have before our minds the precise idea the Holy Spirit meant to convey. We should consider when the passage under consideration was written, by whom to whom addressed, and for what purpose.

By searching the Scriptures carefully, by comparing parallel texts, and similar facts, a person can hardly fail of becoming deeply interested in the contents of the sacred volume. We shall sympathize with David, who said, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste, yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”

By studying the Bible, rather than reading it, the mind is stored with ideas, the conscience is enlightened, and each single thought is kept before the mind long enough to produce an impression. Pastors and Sabbath School teachers should take pains to instruct those under their charge, how to read the Bible so as to derive the most benefit from it.

If the Bible was studied, instead of being rapidly read, I have no doubt it would be, much oftener than it is, like the fire and the hammer which breaketh the rock in pieces.—Puritan Recorder.