illustrate Bible teachings, and to trace in the Bible the similitudes
drawn from nature. They should search out, both in nature and in Holy
Writ, every object representing Christ, and those also that He employed
in illustrating truth. Thus may they learn to see Him in tree and vine,
in lily and rose, in sun and star. They may learn to hear His voice in
the song of birds, in the sighing of the trees, in the rolling thunder,
and in the music of the sea. And every object in nature will repeat to
them His precious lessons.
To those who thus acquaint themselves with Christ, the earth will
nevermore be a lonely and desolate place. It will be their Father’s
house, filled with the presence of Him who once dwelt among men.
_THE BIBLE AS AN EDUCATOR_
“_When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when
thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when
thou awakest, it shall talk with thee._”
_Mental and Spiritual Culture_
“BY KNOWLEDGE SHALL THE
CHAMBERS BE FILLED WITH ALL
PRECIOUS AND PLEASANT RICHES”
For the mind and the soul, as well as for the body, it is God’s law that
strength is acquired by effort. It is exercise that develops. In harmony
with this law, God has provided in His word the means for mental and
spiritual development.
[Sidenote: _Effort in Bible Study_]
The Bible contains all the principles that men need to understand in
order to be fitted either for this life or for the life to come. And
these principles may be understood by all. No one with a spirit to
appreciate its teaching can read a single passage from the Bible without
gaining from it some helpful thought. But the most valuable teaching of
the Bible is not to be gained by occasional or disconnected study. Its
great system of truth is not so presented as to be discerned by the
hasty or careless reader. Many of its treasures lie far beneath the
surface, and can be obtained only by diligent research and continuous
effort. The truths that go to make up the great whole must be searched
out and gathered up, “here a little, and there a little.”[149]
[Sidenote: _A Perfect Whole_]
When thus searched out and brought together, they will be found to be
perfectly fitted to one another. Each Gospel is a supplement to the
others, every prophecy an explanation of another, every truth a
development of some other truth. The types of the Jewish economy are
made plain by the gospel. Every principle in the word of God has its
place, every fact its bearing. And the complete structure, in design and
execution, bears testimony to its Author. Such a structure no mind but
that of the Infinite could conceive or fashion.
[Sidenote: _Intellectual Discipline_]
In searching out the various parts and studying their relationship, the
highest faculties of the human mind are called into intense activity. No
one can engage in such study without developing mental power.
And not alone in searching out truth and bringing it together does the
mental value of Bible study consist. It consists also in the effort
required to grasp the themes presented. The mind occupied with
commonplace matters only, becomes dwarfed and enfeebled. If never tasked
to comprehend grand and far-reaching truths, it after a time loses the
power of growth. As a safeguard against this degeneracy, and a stimulus
to development, nothing else can equal the study of God’s word. As a
means of intellectual training, the Bible is more effective than any
other book, or all other books combined. The greatness of its themes,
the dignified simplicity of its utterances, the beauty of its imagery,
quicken and uplift the thoughts as nothing else can. No other study can
impart such mental power as does the effort to grasp the stupendous
truths of revelation. The mind thus brought in contact with the thoughts
of the Infinite can not but expand and strengthen.
[Sidenote: _Spiritual Development_]
And even greater is the power of the Bible in the development of the
spiritual nature. Man, created for fellowship with God, can only in such
fellowship find his real life and development. Created to find in God
his highest joy, he can find in nothing else that which can quiet the
cravings of the heart, can satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul. He
who with sincere and teachable spirit studies God’s word, seeking to
comprehend its truths, will be brought in touch with its Author; and,
except by his own choice, there is no limit to the possibilities of his
development.
[Sidenote: _Range of Style and Subjects_]
In its wide range of style and subjects, the Bible has something to
interest every mind and appeal to every heart. In its pages are found
history the most ancient; biography the truest to life; principles of
government for the control of the state, for the regulation of the
household,—principles that human wisdom has never equaled. It contains
philosophy the most profound, poetry the sweetest and the most sublime,
the most impassioned and the most pathetic. Immeasurably superior in
value to the productions of any human author are the Bible writings,
even when thus considered; but of infinitely wider scope, of infinitely
greater value, are they when viewed in their relation to the grand
central thought. Viewed in the light of this thought, every topic has a
new significance. In the most simply stated truths are involved
principles that are as high as heaven and that compass eternity.
[Sidenote: _The Central Theme_]
The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the
whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the restoration in the
human soul of the image of God. From the first intimation of hope in the
sentence pronounced in Eden to that last glorious promise of the
Revelation, “They shall see His face; and His name shall be in their
foreheads,”[150] the burden of every book and every passage of the Bible
is the unfolding of this wondrous theme,—man’s uplifting,—the power of
God, “which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”[151]
[Sidenote: _An Infinite Field_]
He who grasps this thought has before him an infinite field for study.
He has the key that will unlock to him the whole treasure-house of God’s
word.
The science of redemption is the science of all sciences; the science
that is the study of the angels and of all the intelligences of the
unfallen worlds; the science that engages the attention of our Lord and
Saviour; the science that enters into the purpose brooded in the mind of
the Infinite,—“kept in silence through times eternal;”[152] the science
that will be the study of God’s redeemed throughout endless ages. This
is the highest study in which it is possible for man to engage. As no
other study can, it will quicken the mind and uplift the soul.
[Sidenote: _Truths Life-Begetting_.]
“The excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that
have it.” “The words that I speak unto you,” said Jesus, “they are
spirit, and they are life.” “This is life eternal, that they should know
Thee the only true God, and Him whom Thou didst send.”[153]
The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the word
of God. This word imparts power; it begets life. Every command is a
promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it
the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature, and re-creates
the soul in the image of God.
[Sidenote: _Life-Sustaining_]
The life thus imparted is in like manner sustained. “By every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God”[154] shall man live.
The mind, the soul, is built up by that upon which it feeds; and it
rests with us to determine upon what it shall be fed. It is within the
power of every one to choose the topics that shall occupy the thoughts
and shape the character. Of every human being privileged with access to
the Scriptures, God says, “I have written to him the great things of My
law.” “Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and
mighty things, which thou knowest not.”[155]
[Sidenote: _Possibilities of Companionship_]
[Sidenote: _Not a Stranger_]
With the word of God in his hands, every human being, wherever his lot
in life may be cast, may have such companionship as he shall choose. In
its pages he may hold converse with the noblest and best of the human
race, and may listen to the voice of the Eternal as He speaks with men.
As he studies and meditates upon the themes into which “the angels
desire to look,”[156] he may have their companionship. He may follow the
steps of the heavenly Teacher, and listen to His words as when He taught
on mountain and plain and sea. He may dwell in this world in the
atmosphere of heaven, imparting to earth’s sorrowing and tempted ones
thoughts of hope and longings for holiness; himself coming closer and
still closer into fellowship with the Unseen; like him of old who walked
with God, drawing nearer and nearer the threshold of the eternal world,
until the portals shall open, and he shall enter there. He will find
himself no stranger. The voices that will greet him are the voices of
the holy ones, who, unseen, were on earth his companions,—voices that
here he learned to distinguish and to love. He who through the word of
God has lived in fellowship with heaven, will find himself at home in
heaven’s companionship.
_Science and the Bible_
“WHO KNOWETH NOT IN ALL
THESE THAT THE HAND OF THE
LORD HATH WROUGHT?”
[Sidenote: _Harmony of Nature and Revelation_]
Since the book of nature and the book of revelation bear the impress of
the same master mind, they can not but speak in harmony. By different
methods, and in different languages, they witness to the same great
truths. Science is ever discovering new wonders; but she brings from her
research nothing that, rightly understood, conflicts with divine
revelation. The book of nature and the written word shed light upon each
other. They make us acquainted with God by teaching us something of the
laws through which He works.
[Sidenote: _Evolution of the Earth_]
Inferences erroneously drawn from facts observed in nature have,
however, led to supposed conflict between science and revelation; and in
the effort to restore harmony, interpretations of Scripture have been
adopted that undermine and destroy the force of the word of God. Geology
has been thought to contradict the literal interpretation of the Mosaic
record of the creation. Millions of years, it is claimed, were required
for the evolution of the earth from chaos; and in order to accommodate
the Bible to this supposed revelation of science, the days of creation
are assumed to have been vast, indefinite periods, covering thousands or
even millions of years.
[Sidenote: _Bible Record of the Creation_]
Such a conclusion is wholly uncalled for. The Bible record is in harmony
with itself and with the teaching of nature. Of the first day employed
in the work of creation is given the record, “The evening and the
morning were the first day.”[157] And the same in substance is said of
each of the first six days of creation week. Each of these periods
Inspiration declares to have been a day consisting of evening and
morning, like every other day since that time. In regard to the work of
creation itself the divine testimony is, “He spake, and it was; He
commanded, and it stood fast.”[158] With Him who could thus call into
existence unnumbered worlds, how long a time would be required for the
evolution of the earth from chaos? In order to account for His works,
must we do violence to His word?
[Sidenote: _Changes at the Flood_]
It is true that remains found in the earth testify to the existence of
men, animals, and plants much larger than any now known. These are
regarded as proving the existence of vegetable and animal life prior to
the time of the Mosaic record. But concerning these things Bible history
furnishes ample explanation. Before the flood, the development of
vegetable and animal life was immeasurably superior to that which has
since been known. At the flood the surface of the earth was broken up,
marked changes took place, and in the re-formation of the earth’s crust
were preserved many evidences of the life previously existing. The vast
forests buried in the earth at the time of the flood, and since changed
to coal, form the extensive coal fields, and yield the supplies of oil,
that minister to our comfort and convenience to-day. These things, as
they are brought to light, are so many witnesses mutely testifying to
the truth of the word of God.
[Sidenote: _Evolution of Man_]
Akin to the theory concerning the evolution of the earth, is that which
attributes to an ascending line of germs, mollusks, and quadrupeds the
evolution of man, the crowning glory of the creation.
When consideration is given to man’s opportunities for research; how
brief his life; how limited his sphere of action; how restricted his
vision; how frequent and how great the errors in his conclusions,
especially as concerns the events thought to antedate Bible history; how
often the supposed deductions of science are revised or cast aside; with
what readiness the assumed period of the earth’s development is from
time to time increased or diminished by millions of years; and how the
theories advanced by different scientists conflict with one
another,—considering all this, shall we, for the privilege of tracing
our descent from germs and mollusks and apes, consent to cast away that
statement of Holy Writ, so grand in its simplicity, “God created man in
His own image, in the image of God created He him”?[159] Shall we reject
that genealogical record,—prouder than any treasured in the courts of
kings,—“which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God”?[160]
[Sidenote: _The Divine Working in Nature_]
Rightly understood, both the revelations of science and the experiences
of life are in harmony with the testimony of Scripture to the constant
working of God in nature.
In the hymn recorded by Nehemiah, the Levites sung, “Thou, even Thou,
art Lord alone; Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all
their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and
all that is therein, and Thou preservest them all.”[161]
[Sidenote: _The All-Embracing Providence_]
As regards this earth, Scripture declares the work of creation to have
been completed. “The works were finished from the foundation of the
world.”[162] But the power of God is still exercised in upholding the
objects of His creation. It is not because the mechanism once set in
motion continues to act by its own inherent energy that the pulse beats,
and breath follows breath. Every breath, every pulsation of the heart,
is an evidence of the care of Him in whom we live and move and have our
being. From the smallest insect to man, every living creature is daily
dependent upon His providence.
“These wait all upon Thee....
That Thou givest them they gather;
Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good.
Thou hidest Thy face, they are troubled;
Thou takest away their breath, they die,
And return to their dust.
Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created;
And Thou renewest the face of the earth.”[163]
“He stretcheth out the north over the empty place,
And hangeth the earth upon nothing.
He bindeth up the waters in His thick clouds;
And the cloud is not rent under them....
He hath compassed the waters with bounds,
Until the day and night come to an end.”
“The pillars of heaven tremble
And are astonished at His rebuke.
He stilleth the sea with His power....
By His Spirit the heavens are beauty;
His hand hath pierced the gliding serpent.
Lo, these are but the outskirts of His ways;
And how small a whisper do we hear of Him! [Sidenote: “_Who Can
Understand?_”]
But the thunder of His power who can understand?”[164]
“The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm,
And the clouds are the dust of His feet.”[165]
[Sidenote: _A Personal God_]
The mighty power that works through all nature and sustains all things
is not, as some men of science claim, merely an all-pervading principle,
an actuating energy. God is a spirit; yet He is a personal being, for
man was made in His image. As a personal being, God has revealed Himself
in His Son. Jesus, the outshining of the Father’s glory, “and the
express image of His person,”[166] was on earth found in fashion as a
man. As a personal Saviour, He came to the world. As a personal Saviour,
He ascended on high. As a personal Saviour, He intercedes in the
heavenly courts. Before the throne of God in our behalf ministers “One
like the Son of man.”[167]
The apostle Paul, writing by the Holy Spirit, declares of Christ that
“all things have been created through Him, and unto Him; and He is
before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”[168] The hand
that sustains the worlds in space, the hand that holds in their orderly
arrangement and tireless activity all things throughout the universe of
God, is the hand that was nailed to the cross for us.
[Sidenote: _Omnipresence; Omniscience_]
The greatness of God is to us incomprehensible. “The Lord’s throne is in
heaven;”[169] yet by His Spirit He is everywhere present. He has an
intimate knowledge of, and a personal interest in, all the works of His
hand.
“Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
Who humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the
earth!”
“Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there;
If I make my bed in the grave,[170] behold, Thou art there.
“If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall Thy hand lead me,
And Thy right hand shall hold me.”[171]
“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,
Thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou searchest out my path and my lying down,
And art acquainted with all my ways....
Thou hast beset me behind and before,
And laid Thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I can not attain unto it.”[172]
[Sidenote: “_A Father unto You_”]
It was the Maker of all things who ordained the wonderful adaptation of
means to end, of supply to need. It was He who in the material world
provided that every desire implanted should be met. It was He who
created the human soul, with its capacity for knowing and for loving.
And He is not in Himself such as to leave the demands of the soul
unsatisfied. No intangible principle, no impersonal essence or mere
abstraction, can satisfy the needs and longings of human beings in this
life of struggle with sin and sorrow and pain. It is not enough to
believe in law and force, in things that have no pity, and never hear
the cry for help. We need to know of an almighty arm that will hold us
up, of an infinite Friend that pities us. We need to clasp a hand that
is warm, to trust in a heart full of tenderness. And even so God has in
His word revealed Himself.
[Sidenote: _Mysteries in Nature_]
He who studies most deeply into the mysteries of nature will realize
most fully his own ignorance and weakness. He will realize that there
are depths and heights which he can not reach, secrets which he can not
penetrate, vast fields of truth lying before him unentered. He will be
ready to say, with Newton, “I seem to myself to have been like a child
on the seashore finding pebbles and shells, while the great ocean of
truth lay undiscovered before me.”
[Sidenote: “_Through Faith We Understand_”]
The deepest students of science are constrained to recognize in nature
the working of infinite power. But to man’s unaided reason, nature’s
teaching can not but be contradictory and disappointing. Only in the
light of revelation can it be read aright. “Through faith we
understand.”[173]
“In the beginning God.”[174] Here alone can the mind in its eager
questioning, fleeing as the dove to the ark, find rest. Above, beneath,
beyond, abides Infinite Love, working out all things to accomplish “the
good pleasure of His goodness.”[175]
[Sidenote: _The Divine Teacher_]
“The invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are ...
perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power
and divinity.”[176] But their testimony can be understood only through
the aid of the divine Teacher. “What man knoweth the things of a man,
save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God
knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”[177]
“When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all
truth.”[178] Only by the aid of that Spirit who in the beginning “was
brooding upon the face of the waters;” of that Word by whom “all things
were made;” of that “true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh
into the world,” can the testimony of science be rightly interpreted.
Only by their guidance can its deepest truths be discerned.
Only under the direction of the Omniscient One shall we, in the study of
His works, be enabled to think His thoughts after Him.
_Business Principles and Methods_
“HE THAT WALKETH UPRIGHTLY
WALKETH SURELY”
[Sidenote: _Business Man’s Manual_]
There is no branch of legitimate business for which the Bible does not
afford an essential preparation. Its principles of diligence, honesty,
thrift, temperance, and purity are the secret of true success. These
principles, as set forth in the book of Proverbs, constitute a treasury
of practical wisdom. Where can the merchant, the artisan, the director
of men in any department of business, find better maxims for himself or
for his employees than are found in these words of the wise man:—
“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings;
he shall not stand before mean men.”[179]
“In all labor there is profit; but the talk of the lips tendeth only to
penury.”[179]
[Sidenote: _Every-Day Maxims_]
“The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing.” “The drunkard and
the glutton shall come to poverty; and drowsiness shall clothe a man
with rags.”[180]
“A talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that
flattereth with his lips.”[181]
“He that hath knowledge spareth his words;” but “every fool will be
meddling.”[182]
“Go not in the way of evil men;” “can one go upon hot coals, and his
feet not be burned?”[183]
“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.”[184]
“A man that hath friends must show himself friendly.”[184]
The whole circle of our obligation to one another is covered by that
word of Christ’s, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye
even so to them.”[185]
* * * * *
[Sidenote: _A Financial Safeguard_]
How many a man might have escaped financial failure and ruin by heeding
the warnings, so often repeated and emphasized in the Scriptures:—
“He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.”[186]
“Wealth gotten in haste shall be diminished; but he that gathereth by
labor shall have increase.”[187]
“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and
fro of them that seek death.”[188]
“The borrower is servant to the lender.”[188]
“He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; and he that hateth
suretyship is sure.”[188]
“Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the
fatherless; for their Redeemer is mighty; He shall plead their cause
with thee.” “He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he
that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.” “Whoso diggeth a
pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon
him.”[189]
[Sidenote: _Basis of Confidence_]
These are principles with which are bound up the well-being of society,
of both secular and religious associations. It is these principles that
give security to property and life. For all that makes confidence and
co-operation possible, the world is indebted to the law of God, as given
in His word, and as still traced, in lines often obscure and well-nigh
obliterated, in the hearts of men.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: _Best Capital_]