The Bible a Guide

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 14, 1863

The Bible a Guide.

THE word of God, as a means of safety to the young, is the great infallible guide. "Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." This will be a "light to your feet, and a lamp to your path." Here we have unfolded to us the character of God, and the duty of man; here we have laid open to us our own hearts, with so much accuracy, that he who has made any advances in self-knowledge must admit the portraiture to be faithfully drawn; here we have delineated, as on a map, the paths which lead to heaven and hell, and are shown in which of those paths we are traveling—are shown, indeed, what we are, what we have been, and shall be hereafter. Here we have a sure directory to guide us through all the mazes of this life, a sovereign arbiter to which we may repair when questions of duty arise. Here we have that which has led multitudes to glory. Here are the most glorious examples to animate young men; examples of those who resisted temptation, and won the crown of victory. Of Joseph, who, without a moment's hesitation, replied to the insidious tempter, "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" Of Daniel, who, with a world in arms against him, prayed three times a day, with his face toward Jerusalem; and of a greater than all, who overcame the adversary by weapons drawn from the armory of heaven: "Get thee behind me, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."