Your ShelfYour Projects

Signs of the Times, Vol. 4, No. 43.

General Articles

Signs of the Times

Nov 14, 1878

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · Nov 14, 1878

General Articles.

By Ellen G. White

THE CRIPPLE HEALED.

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
A SHORT time after the descent of the Holy Spirit, and immediately after a season of fervent prayer, Peter and John, going up to the temple to worship, saw a distressed and poverty-stricken cripple, forty years of age, who had known no other life than one of pain and infirmity. This unfortunate man had long desired to go to Jesus and be healed; but he was almost helpless, and was removed far from the scene of the great Physician's labors. Finally his earnest pleadings induced some kind persons to bear him to the gate of the temple. But upon arriving there he discovered that the Healer, upon whom his hopes were centered, had been put to a cruel death.
His disappointment excited the pity of those who knew how long he had eagerly hoped and expected to be healed by Jesus, and they daily brought him to the temple, that the passers-by might be moved to give him a trifle to relieve his present wants. As Peter and John passed, he begged charity from them. The disciples regarded him with compassion. "And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us." "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."
The poor man's countenance had fallen when Peter declared his own poverty, but grew bright with hope and faith as the disciple continued. "And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him."
The Jews were astonished that the disciples could perform miracles similar to those of Jesus. He, they supposed, was dead, and they had expected all such wonderful manifestations to cease with him. Yet here was this man who had been a helpless cripple for forty years, now rejoicing in the full use of his limbs, free from pain, and happy in believing upon Jesus.
The apostles saw the amazement of the people, and questioned them why they should be astonished at the miracle which they had witnessed, and regard them with awe as though it were through their own power they had done this thing. Peter assured them it was done through the merits of Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had rejected and crucified, but whom God had raised from the dead the third day. "And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know; yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things which God before had showed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled."
The manner of Jesus in working his miracles was very different from that of his apostles. His language was that of one who possessed power in himself. "Be thou clean." "Peace, be still." Neither did he hesitate to accept the honor offered him on these occasions, nor seek to divert the minds of the people from himself, as though his miracles were not wrought by his own power, for his own glory. But the apostles wrought miracles only in the name of Jesus, and refused to receive the least honor to themselves. They claimed to be only instruments of that Jesus whom the Jews had crucified, but whom God had raised and elevated to his right hand. He was to receive all the honor and praise.
After the performance of this miracle, the people flocked together in the temple, and Peter addressed them in one part of the temple, while John spoke to them in another part. The apostles, having spoken plainly of the great crime of the Jews, in rejecting and putting to death the Prince of Life, were careful not to drive them to madness or despair. Peter was willing to lessen the atrocity of their guilt as much as possible, by presuming that they did the deed ignorantly. He declared to them that the Holy Ghost was calling for them to repent of their sins and to be converted; that there was no hope for them except through the mercy of that Christ whom they had crucified; through faith in him only could their sins be canceled by his blood.
This preaching the resurrection of Christ, and that through his death and resurrection he would finally bring up all the dead from their graves, deeply stirred the Sadducees. They felt that their favorite doctrine was in danger, and their reputation at stake. Some of the officials of the temple, and the captain of the temple, were Sadducees. The captain, with the help of a number of the Sadducees, arrested the two apostles, and put them in prison, as it was too late for their cases to be examined that night.
These opponents of Christ and of the doctrines of the apostles could but believe, although they refused to acknowledge, that Jesus had risen from the dead and remained on earth for forty day afterward; the evidence was too convincing for them to doubt it. Yet, nevertheless, their hearts did not soften, nor their consciences smite them for the terrible deed they had committed in putting him to death. When the power from heaven came upon the apostles in so remarkable a manner, fear held them from violence, but their bitterness and malice were unchanged. Five thousand had already embraced the new doctrine taught by the apostles, and both Pharisees and Sadducees decided among themselves that if those teachers were suffered to go unchecked, their own influence would be in greater danger than when Jesus was upon earth. If one or two discourses from the disciples could accomplish such marvelous results, the world would soon believe on Christ if they were left free, and the influence of priests and potentates would be lost.
The following day Annas and Caiaphas, with the other dignitaries of the temple, met together for the trial of the prisoners, who were then brought before them. In that very room, and before those very men, Peter had shamefully denied his Lord. All this came distinctly before the mind of the disciple as now he appeared for his own trial. He had now an opportunity of redeeming his former wicked cowardice.
The company present remembered the part Peter had acted at the trial of his Master, and they flattered themselves that he could be intimidated by the threat of imprisonment and death. But the Peter who denied Christ in the hour of his greatest need, was the impulsive, self-confident disciple, differing widely from the Peter who was before the sanhedrim for examination that day. He had been converted; he was distrustful of self, and no longer a proud boaster. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and through its power he had become firm as a rock, courageous, yet modest, in magnifying Christ. He was ready to remove the stain of his apostasy by honoring the name he had once disowned.
Hitherto the priests had avoided having the crucifixion or resurrection of Jesus mentioned; but now, in fulfillment of their purpose, they were forced to inquire of the accused by what power they had accomplished the remarkable cure of the impotent man. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, addressed the priests and elders respectfully, and declared: "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we may be saved."
The seal of Christ was on the words of Peter, and his countenance was illuminated by the Holy Spirit. Close beside him, as a convincing witness, stood the man who had been so miraculously cured. The appearance of this man, who but a few hours before was a helpless cripple, now restored to soundness of body, and being enlightened concerning Jesus of Nazareth, added a weight of testimony to the words of Peter. Priests, rulers, and people were silent. The rulers had no power to refute his statement. They had been obliged to hear that which they most desired not to hear—the fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and his power in heaven to perform miracles through the medium of his apostles on earth.

The Bible Compared with Other Systems of Religion.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

BY ELDER D. M. CANRIGHT.
ALL intelligent persons know that numerous books and systems have claimed to give a revelation from God, and among them all, the Holy Bible stands prominent. But infidels argue that the fact of there having been so many confessedly false revelations, and false systems of religion, and false gods, prove that all are deceptions; that there are no genuine ones. How foolish the conclusion! Shall we conclude there is no genuine coin because there is so much spurious? Shall we deny that there are any genuine bank-bills because the land is flooded with counterfeit bills? We would pronounce a man insane who would reason thus. The very existence of a counterfeit proves the existence of the genuine. Men never counterfeit that which does not exist. And so the existence, in all ages of the world, of so many counterfeit revelations, and systems of false religion, is in itself proof that the genuine exists somewhere. But how shall we determine which is the true, and which is the false? The Lord says, "Prove all things." And Jesus gives a good rule, "By their fruits ye shall know them."
All infidels admit that the Bible is much the best of all books claiming to be sacred. They admit that much of its teaching is pure and sublime, far better than can be found anywhere else. Take all the atheists, deists, infidels, and skeptics of christendom, and not one of them has a particle of faith in any other sacred book than the Bible. So, they themselves being judges, if God has ever spoken to man this must be his word. If not, then we are without a revelation from heaven. This latter conclusion, however, is here inadmissible, since it contradicts the abundant proof we have already given on the other hand.
Since men forsook the worship of the true God, immediately after the flood, many false gods have come up, and many systems of worship have flourished in the earth at different times. Let us briefly notice them, and inquire what has become of them.
If we go back to the remotest antiquity, so far as the records reach, we find that Egypt stood far above all other nations in reputed learning, wisdom, and human science. Acts 7:22. The Egyptians had their gods, their temples, and their priests. Gen. 41:45. The Jews fell into the worship of the Egyptian gods. They made the golden calf in imitation of one of the gods of Egypt. Ex. 32:4. For hundreds of years the worship of these Egyptian gods was professed by millions, and was maintained with the greatest pomp, while the God of Israel, his worship and his people, were held in contempt. But where are the gods of Egypt now? Where are their worshipers? Where are their temples? Gone; all gone; not a vestige of them left upon the face of the earth; not a temple, not a priest, not a book, not a worshiper—blotted out of existence. But the God of Israel and his holy Book still live.Coming a little farther down, we are all familiar with the god of the Philistines, viz., Dagon. For several hundred years there was a sharp contest between the worship of this famous god and the worship of Jehovah. Many times it looked as though Dagon and his followers would triumph. On one occasion a grand feast was made to this god in honor of the glorious victory over Israel. "Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice; for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand." Judges 16:23. But his triumph was short. Where now is Dagon? Where are his temples? What has become of his worshipers? Not a vestige of any of them left beneath the sun. The deep waves of oblivion have rolled over their silent graves for three thousand years; but Jehovah and his holy Book still live and reign in the hearts of as many millions now as of hundreds then.
Baal was another famous god at one time. The king and queen were on his side, and the power of the law supported him. The great mass went after him, while the Lord's prophets were slain, his altars thrown down, and his worshipers driven into caves. Elijah makes this mournful appeal to the people: "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men." 1 Kings 18:21, 22.
What a mighty difference! Apparently what an unequal contest! But God alone is a majority against the world with all its false gods, and hell with all its demons. Twenty-eight centuries have rolled by since then, and where is Baal? What has become of his worship? It, too, has gone down, and the dust of more than twenty-five centuries lies piled upon its forgotten grave. But the Lord lives, and his worship has spread from pole to pole.
Moloch was another renowned god, who came up and flourished for a season. Many of Israel ran bowing to him, and courted his protection. The Phœnicians and Carthaginians also worshiped him. But who can find Moloch now? Where is there a nation, city, a town, or a solitary individual among all the nations of the earth, who believes in Moloch? Nowhere. He, too, with his worshipers, is buried beneath the dust of ages; while the Lord Jehovah is exalted on high.
How lordly and magnificent the gods of Assyria! What treasures of gold were poured out upon their shrines! What millions did them reverence! How they lorded it over the Hebrews, and despised the God of Israel! But where are they now? Echo answers, Where? They are dead, and forgotten, and their worshipers are scattered. But our God still sits upon his throne, and all over the earth millions daily bow to him.
Great Diana at Ephesus was one of the most renowned goddesses of the world. All Asia bowed at her shrine. Kings paid her homage, princes brought her offerings, and the fame of her magnificence was world-wide. Her temple is said to have been the richest that the sun ever shone upon. A learned author thus describes it: "It was reckoned one of the wonders of the world. It was built of pure white marble, about five hundred and fifty years before Christ; and though burned by a fanatic on the night of the birth of Alexander the Great, B. C. 356, it was rebuilt with more splendor than before. It was four hundred and twenty five feet long, by two hundred and twenty broad; and the columns, one hundred and twenty in number, were sixty feet in hight, each of them the gift of a king, and thirty-six of them enriched with ornament and color. It was what the bank of England is in the modern world, the larger portion of the wealth of Western Asia being stored up in it. It was constantly receiving new decorations, and additional buildings, statues, and pictures by the most celebrated artists. It created unparalleled admiration, enthusiasm, and superstition. Its very site is now a matter of uncertainty." Com. on the Old and New Testaments, by Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, on Acts 19:27. A mighty commotion was raised by the worshipers of Diana when the religion of the humble Man of Nazareth was introduced at Ephesus by the apostle Paul. Hear what those worshipers said:—
"So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at naught, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshipeth." Acts 19:27. What a mighty goddess was this! The zeal of her worshipers was so great that for the space of two hours they cried out, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" The town clerk said that these things must not be spoken against. The plain worship of the humble Christians seemed contemptible in comparison with that of this goddess. How could a few fishermen make headway against such a mighty system as this? But eighteen centuries have rolled by since that period, during which time the religion of Jesus has spread all over the face of the earth. And what has become of Diana? Where now is her temple? Where her followers? They are among the antiquities of the past. They are known only in history. Not a vestige of this worship is left upon the face of the earth to-day. And this fact is another monument to the power of our God, and to the eternal stability of his religion.
Let us go with the apostle to Athens, at that time the most polished and educated city upon the earth. Very devout indeed were these Athenians. One historian declares that they had thirty thousand gods. So jealous were they of the honor of these gods that they put to death one of their most renowned men, Socrates, for supposed contempt of them. The whole power of the government was enlisted to support them. The greatest philosophers, the wisest statesmen, the most eloquent orators, with the treasures of Greece, were on their side. But where are they now? Like all the others named, a few centuries ended their glory, exposed their corruption, scattered their worshipers, and leveled their temples with the ground. Who now believes in any of the numerous gods of ancient Greece? They live only in history. We now read of them, and wonder that any people were so foolish as to believe in them. Why does not the religion of the Bible go down as have all these systems of worship? Is it not remarkable that, on the other hand, it has grown stronger with each succeeding generation?
What shall we say of the gods of Rome? This was the grand metropolis of all the gods. Here each god was protected by law, and had an honorable place assigned to it. Faithful devotees worshiped at each shrine, and were zealous in their service. But who can now find a heathen god in Rome? The glory of these gods is gone; their altars are thrown down; their worshipers are dead. They are known only from history. "False religion" has been written on all their tombs. Time would fail us to mention the scores and hundreds of like cases which are familiar to all the world.
Now, reader, on the other hand, look a moment at the wonderful history of our Bible, and of the worship of God, which it promulgates. Beginning in Eden, there has been an unbroken succession of faithful worshipers through all the generations of men. After the flood, Abraham stands forth as a prominent pillar of the faith. The knowledge and worship of the Lord was preserved in Egypt through four hundred years of the hardest bondage. Next, Moses appears, and commences to write the very record we have in the Bible to-day, by hundreds of years the oldest writing in the world. Herodotus and Homer are thought to be very ancient writers, but Moses was about a thousand years earlier than they. The world was then in its infancy; all nations were then barbarians, unlettered and uncivilized. Rome was a howling wilderness. Greece had not learned the first letter of the alphabet. Is it not wonderful that so far back in hoary antiquity, and in the deep darkness of barbarism, any man could have studied out such sublime precepts of morality and religion as Moses gave his people? Look at the ten commandments, for instance. They have been in admiration of the world every since their promulgation. Their equal has never been found, nor ever will be found. What other religion ever had such precepts as these?
Follow that chosen people through fifteen hundred years of their history, to the birth of Jesus. They were in bondage under the Philistines many times, carried into Babylon for seventy years, hunted, persecuted, and slain by their enemies on every side. The Holy Scriptures were proscribed and burned. It was death for any man to be found in possession of a copy of them; but they still survived. At the coming of Christ, they burst all national bonds; they put on new glory, and went forth conquering and to conquer.
The people rose to oppose them; priests cursed them by their gods; armies marched against them; kings from their thrones condemned their followers to death. But nothing hindered their progress. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were rapidly translated into the languages of the different nations where their ministers went. If one missionary is murdered, a hundred spring up from his ashes, catch the falling banner and carry it forward with renewed zeal. Nation after nation yields to the mighty power, lays down its defense, and takes the gospel into the heart. Paganism vanishes before it like dew before the rising sun. On it rolls, gathering impetus and volume with each succeeding generation. Opposition only gives it strength. While other systems decay, it strengthens; while others lie down in the dust, it rises higher; while others are circumscribed to one nation, the religion of the Bible spreads among all people.
The Bible, the Book of God, the Book for all nations, where can it not be found within the circle of this mighty earth? It is enthroned in millions of hearts of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. The sun never sets where it is not. How different from all other religions is the Bible religion! How different from all these professedly sacred books is the Bible! Ah, dear reader, this vitality of Heaven—it is the power of God. Let us bow our heads in solemn awe.
Let us notice one more point: How are you to account for the fact that civilization, refinement, education, the sciences, everything that is good and great, has gone where the Bible has gone, and stopped where it has stopped? Who is it that have school-houses, colleges, and hospitals? It is those who live where the Bible holds sway. Who is it that ride in the chariots that go like the lightnings? What nations have the benefit of steamboats, of printing presses, of telegraphs, of sewing machines, of astronomical instruments? Who have good houses and the carpeted floors, easy carriages, fine clothes, and good food? They are the nations who have the Bible.
"If you will take the map of the world and a pencil, then sit down and draw a black line around that portion of the earth where the Bible has been in the longest and most plentiful circulation, where every class, high and low, are able to read, and do read the volume most commonly and with most ease, such as England, Scotland and the United States of America, there you will find men most enlightened and most amiable in demeanor. There, wherever there are most Bibles, men are less cruel, less polluted, and less unprincipled. They are less inclined to kneel before images of wood and stone, and more ready to understand and to practice the law of forgiveness and of love. Then sit down and draw a line around those countries where there are fewest Bibles, where there were none for generations, and there you will find most cruelty, most pollution, most absurd notions of Deity, and most darkness.
Finally, mark off those sections of earth where that book has a partial circulation, as in Catholic countries, where it is read by a portion of the people, and with a medium frequency only, and there you will find a twilight in everything. The moralist is either afraid to look long at or to follow out such facts, or he says, 'It happened so.'" Nelson on Infidelity, p. 116.

The Lame Restored.

By Mrs. L. D. A. Stuttle

WHAT means this joyous sound I hear, This shout of praise that greets my ear, This glad triumphant song? Who is it that, with rapturous voice And heart o'erflowing, doth rejoice Among the gathered throng?
What! Is this he who sat, of late, A wretched cripple at the gate? Who, of each passer by, For gifts of charity did plead, To aid him in his direful need, With sad and mournful cry?
What! are these buoyant limbs the same, Once so distorted, weak and lame? Pray, what mysterious art Hath wrought this change in one short hour— What hand, with wondrous healing power, Such virtue could impart?
Hast thou not heard—the people cry— The great apostle passeth by, Whom all the people greet? With hands uplifted to the skies, In Jesus' name bids him rise, And stand upon his feet.
And lo! or e'er the words were said, Disease and anguish quickly fled; No more of pain had he. 'Twas Jesus' power that made him whole, And filled with joy the cripple’s soul; To him the glory be! MRS. L. D. A. STUTTLE.

Search The Scriptures.

By Ellen G. White

THE word of God has not been appreciated, but sadly neglected. This book, revealing the will of God to man, deserves to be held in the highest esteem, not only by the rich, but by the common people. Instruction of the highest value is given to the working class. The apostle enjoins upon slaves under masters to adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour. Those in the humblest employment can, through connection with God, so order their conversation and be so circumspect in deportment as to bring no dishonor or reproach upon the cause of the Redeemer. They will not by inconsistencies furnish occasion to bring the truth into disrepute, when it should be a savor of life unto life.
In a special manner should those who are blessed with connection with God, by close application to his sacred word, imitate the great Pattern in doing good by exemplifying the life of Christ in their daily conversation, in pure and virtuous characters. By being courteous and beneficent they adorn his doctrine and show that the truth of heavenly origin is leaving its impress in beautifying the character and ennobling the life. Christ's followers are "living epistles, known and read of all men." Their daily words and noble actions recommend the truth to those who have been prejudiced against it by nominal professors, who have had a form of godliness but their lives have testified that they know nothing of its sanctifying power.
No man, woman or youth can attain to Christian perfection and neglect the study of the word of God. The careful and close searching of his word will be in obedience to the injunction of Christ, "Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." This search brings the student into close observance of the divine Model, for they testify of Christ. The Pattern must be inspected often and closely in order to imitate it. As one becomes acquainted with the history of the Redeemer, he discovers in himself defects of character; his unlikeness to Christ is so great that he sees he cannot be a follower without a very great change in his life. Still he studies, with desire to be like his Example; he catches the looks, the spirit of his beloved Master; by beholding he becomes changed. "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." It is not in looking away from him, and losing sight of him, that we imitate the life of Jesus; but in dwelling upon and talking of him, and seeking to refine the taste and elevate the character; seeking to approach through earnest, persevering effort, through faith and love, the perfect Pattern. The attention being fixed upon Christ, his image, pure and spotless, becomes enshrined in the heart as "the chief among ten thousand and the one altogether lovely." Even unconsciously we imitate that with which we are familiar. By having a knowledge of Christ, his words, his habits, his lessons of instruction, and borrowing the virtues from the character which we have so closely studied, we become imbued with the spirit of the Master which has been so much admired.
After the resurrection, two disciples traveling to Emmaus were talking over the disappointed hopes occasioned by the death of the beloved Master. Christ himself drew near, unrecognized by the sorrowing disciples. Their faith had died with the Lord, and their eyes, blinded by unbelief, did not discern the risen Saviour. But Jesus walking by their side longed to reveal himself to them, but he did not choose to do so abruptly; he accosted them merely as a fellow-traveler, and asked them in regard to the communication which they were having one with another, and why they were so sad. They were astonished at the question, and asked if he were indeed a stranger in Jerusalem and had not heard that a prophet, mighty in word and in deed, had been taken by wicked hands and crucified. And now it was the third day, and strange reports had been brought to their ears that Jesus had risen and had been seen by Mary and certain of the disciples. Jesus said to them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken; ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to have entered into his glory?" And beginning at Moses and the prophets, he opened to them the scriptures concerning himself. When they arrived at Emmaus, Jesus made as though he would have gone farther, but the disciples constrained him to tarry with them, for the day was far spent and the night was at hand. The evening meal was quickly prepared; and while Jesus was offering devotional thanks the disciples looked at one another with astonished glances. His words, his manner, and then, his wounded hands were revealed, and they exclaimed, "My Lord and my God." Had the disciples been indifferent in regard to their fellow-traveler they would have lost the precious opportunity of recognizing their companion, who had reasoned so ably from the scriptures regarding his life, his suffering, and his death and resurrection. He reproved them for not being acquainted with the scriptures in reference to himself. Had they been familiar with the Scriptures their faith would have been sustained, their hopes unshaken, for prophecy plainly stated the treatment Christ would receive from those he came to save. The disciples were astonished that they could not discover Christ at once, as soon as he spake with them by the way, and that they had failed to bring to their support the scriptures which Jesus had brought to their remembrance. They had lost sight of the precious promises, and when the words spoken by the prophets were brought to their remembrance faith revived, and after Christ revealed himself they exclaimed, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us by the way and opened to us the Scriptures?"
The word of God spoken to the heart has an animating power, and those who will frame any excuse for the neglect to become acquainted with it will neglect the claims of God in many respects. The character will be deformed, the words and acts a reproach to the truth. The apostle tells us, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." One of the prophets of God exclaims, "While I was musing the fire burned." If Christians would earnestly search the Scriptures, more hearts would burn with the vivid truths therein revealed. Their hopes would brighten with the precious promises strewn like pearls all through. In contemplating the history of the patriarchs, the prophets, the men who loved and feared and walked with God, hearts will glow with the spirit which animated those worthies. As the mind dwells upon the virtue and piety of holy men of old the spirit which inspired them will kindle a flame of love and holy fervor in the hearts of those who would be like them in character.
The student of the Sabbath-school should feel as thoroughly in earnest to become intelligent in the knowledge of the Scriptures as to excel in the study of the sciences. If either are neglected it should be the study of the six days. The injunction of our Saviour should be religiously regarded by every man, woman and child who professes his name. Teachers in the Sabbath-school have a missionary field given them, to teach the Scriptures, not poll-parrot like, repeat over that which they have taken no pains to understand. "They are they which testify of me"—the Redeemer, him in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. If teachers are not imbued with the spirit of truth, and care not for the knowledge of what is revealed in the word of God, how can they present the truth in an attractive light to those under their charge? The prayer of Christ for his disciples was, "Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth." If we are to be sanctified through a knowledge of the truth found in the word of God, we must have an intelligent knowledge of his will therein revealed. We must search the Scriptures, not merely rush through a chapter and repeat it, taking no pains to understand its hidden depths, but dig for the jewel of truth which will enrich the mind, and fortify the soul against the wiles and temptations of the arch-deceiver.
Parents plead trifling excuses for not interesting themselves in the lessons with their children, and they fail to become conversant with the Scriptures. Fathers as well as mothers excuse themselves from disciplining their own minds. They do not seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, but exalt the temporal above the spiritual and eternal. This forgetfulness of God and neglect of his word is the example they give their children, which molds their minds after the worldly standard and not after the standard erected by Christ. Some fathers will while away hours in their own amusement, in conversation upon worldly things, and put God out of their thoughts and hearts. How much more profitable to be a faithful disciple of Christ, engaged in searching the Scriptures that he may be thoroughly furnished to all good works, and be able to give an intelligent explanation of the word given of God to guide our footsteps to the eternal shores.
Mothers are heard to deplore that they have no time to teach their children, no time to instruct them in the word of God. But these same mothers find time for the outward adorning, time to ornament with tucks and ruffles and needless stitching. Needless trimming is seen upon their own dress and upon their children's. The inward adorning of the mind and the culture of the soul are neglected as if inferior to the adornment of the apparel. The minds of mothers and children are starved in order to follow custom and fashion.
Fathers and mothers, we entreat you to take up your long neglected duties. Search the Scriptures yourselves, assist your children in the study of the sacred word. Make diligent work because of past neglect. Do not send the children away by themselves to study the Bible, but read it with them, teach them in a simple manner what you know, and keep in the school of Christ as diligent students yourselves. Be determined that this work shall not be neglected. Mothers, dress yourselves and your children with modest apparel, clean and neat but without needless adornment. When you learn to do this, to dress with conscientious plainness, then you will have no excuse for being novices in the Scriptures. Follow Christ's injunction, "Search the Scriptures," then you will advance in spiritual strength yourselves, and be able to instruct your children so that they need not come to the Sabbath-school untaught.
Many of the youth say, I have no time to study my lesson. But what are they doing? Some are crowding in every moment to earn a few cents more, when this time pressed into work, if given to the study of the Bible, would in taking home its lessons save them more than the amount gained by overwork. It would save much that is expended in needless ornaments, and preserve vigor of mind to understand the "mystery of godliness." "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." But these very youth, who profess to be Christians, gratify the desire of the carnal heart in following their own inclinations, and God-given probationary time, granted them to become acquainted with the precious truths of the Bible, is devoted to the reading of fictitious tales. This habit once formed is difficult to overcome, but it can be done, it must be done by all who are candidates for the heavenly world. That mind is ruined which is allowed to be absorbed in story-reading. The imagination becomes diseased, sentimentalism takes possession of the mind and there is a vague unrest, a strange appetite for unwholesome mental food, which is constantly unbalancing the mind. Thousands are to-day in the insane asylums, whose minds became unbalanced by novel-reading, which results in air-castle building, and love-sick sentimentalism. The Bible is the book of books. It will give you life and health. It is a soother of the nerves, and imparts solidity of mind and firm principle.
The student of the Sabbath-school should be in earnest, should dig deep and search with the greatest care for the precious gems of truth contained in the weekly lessons. The privileges and opportunities which they now have of becoming intelligent in regard to the Scriptures should not be neglected. God would have those who profess to be his followers thoroughly furnished with proof of the doctrines of his word. When and where can this be better obtained than in youth at the Sabbath-school? Parents should in no case treat this matter indifferently.
MRS. E. G. WHITE.
Continue reading: Facts about the Sabbath and First Day in the New Testament