without the aid of God’s Spirit. “Open thou mine. eyes, that I may
behold wondrous things out of thy law."
*3rd.* Read it studiously. When you come to something, you do not fully
understand, stop and obtain light upon it from commentary, references,
Bible dictionary, etc.
*4th.* Read it consecutively. Aim to read the Bible through from Genesis
to Revelation in the course of a year, but do not hurry the reading in
order to get through it in that time.
*5th.* Read it sympathetically. Ask when, where, by whom, and for what
purpose each book that you read was written. In that way get the
standpoint of the sacred writer, and put yourself in sympathy with him.
*6th.* Read it, noting its perspectives, observe the dates of events, by
the aid of the Bible margin, and so keep them in your mind at their
proper relative distances from each other; thus, Abraham, though he
appears in Genesis 12, is halfway between Adam and Christ.
*7th.* Read it topically. By the aid of a concordance and a Bible Text
Book. See what it has to declare upon Faith, Love Justification, etc.
*8th.* Read it in a spirit of obedience. Seek in it for direction. Make
its precepts the rule of your life.
*9th.* Read it in faith. Take it as God’s word to yourself. Look upon
its promises as your own
THIS book is the word of God showing the state of a man, the way of
salvation the doom of sinners, the happiness of believers.
Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are
immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe practice it to be
holy, and live it to be happy.
It contains light to direct you food to support you, and comfort to
cheer you.
It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the
soldier’s sword and the christian’s charter.
Scriptures, The.
*Importance of Bible study.*
Have a good print Bible, well bound of your own; keep it where you spend
most of your time and then search it.
*SEARCH the Scriptures*; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and
they are they which *testify of me*.
_John 5:39._
THESE were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received
the word with all readiness of mind, and *searched the scriptures daily,
whether those things were so*.
_Acts 17:11_
Set apart at least ten minutes (longer if possible) each day. Choose an
hour for study when your mind is clearest. The writer finds the first
thing in the morning, his best time. May the first four words in the
Bible be your motto, “In the beginning God.”
THE Lord God has given me the *tongue* of the learned, *that I should
know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary*: he wakeneth
morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
_Isaiah 50:4._
AT that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of
heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and
prudent, and *hast revealed them unto babes*.
_Matthew 11:25._
AND now, brethren, I commend you to *God*, and to the *word* of His
*grace*, which is *able* to *build* you *up*, and to give you an
inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
_Acts 20:32_
STUDY to *shew thyself approved unto God*, a workman that needeth not to
be ashamed, *rightly dividing the word of truth*.
_II Timothy 2:15_
Scriptures, The.
*How to study them.*
*1st*. When you open your Bible never forget that *it is God’s word*,
not man’s word.
FOR this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye
receive the word of God which ye heard of us, ye receive it *not as the
word of men*, but as it is in truth, *the word of God*, which
effectually worketh also in you that *believe*.
_I Thessalonians 2:13._
FOR the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but *holy men
of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost*.
_II Peter 1:21._
*2nd.* Read your Bible as if it were written for *you only*.
FOR whatsoever things were written aforetime were written *for our
learning*, that *we through patience* and *comfort of the scriptures
might have hope*.
_Romans 15:4._
ALL *scripture* is given *by inspiration of God*, and is profitable for
*doctrine*, for *reproof*, for *correction*, for *instruction* in
righteousness.
_II Timothy 3:16._
*3rd*. Study with *prayer*, making the *psalmist’s prayer* yours.
OPEN thou *mine eyes*, that I may behold *wondrous things* out of *thy
law*.
_Psalms 119:18._
*4th*. Study with *meditation* expecting help, comfort, blessing and
success in living for God.
THIS book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou *shalt
meditate therein day* and *night*, that thou mayest observe to do
according to all that is written therein: for then thou *shalt* make thy
way *prosperous*, and then thou *shalt* have *good success*.
_Joshua 1:8_
One of the most important things in eating is chewing. Don’t let any one
chew your spiritual food for you.
THY words were found, and *I did eat them*; and *thy word was unto me
the joy and rejoicing of mine heart*.
_Jeremiah 15:16._
*5th.* Study your Bible depending upon the Holy Spirit to teach you. You
will fail to learn if you do not.
BUT the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in
my name, *He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your
remembrance*, whatsoever, I have said unto you.
_John 14:26._
BUT when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the
Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he
shall testify of me.
_John 15:26._
NEVERTHELESS I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go
away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if
I depart, I will send him unto you.
_John 11:7_
*6th.* And as you read *pray*: “Thou light of life shine into my heart,
and reveal thyself to me now from thy word.”
Study to know God’s will and do it, Christ-like, holy in living and
humble in service.
IF any man will do *His will*, he *shall know* of the *doctrine*, (R.V.
Teaching) whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
_John 7:17_
Cleanse your life by the application of the word.
WHEREWITHAL shall a young man *cleanse his way*? by taking heed thereto
according to *thy word*.
_Psalms 119:9._
Scriptures, The.
*How to memorize?*
In preparing this book I trust that I have done something toward
supplying a long-felt need among the Christians who desire to be soul
winners.
Looking at the great number of scripture references in this book it
would seem like asking something that was impossible to suggest the
memorizing of *all* these passages. Yet it is a comparatively easy task
if undertaken in the right manner.
In memorizing:
*1st.* Memorize the difficulty then locate the verses under that
difficulty and memorize the verses and where they are found. For example
say John 1:29 “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the
world” instead of merely saying “Behold the Lamb of God,” etc., omitting
to say John 1:29.
*2nd.* Learn it. Don’t get a faint, indefinite idea of it. *Take no
“snap shot” but give it a “time exposure.”* If you want to remember any
text in after years as well as at the present time, let it make a deep,
clear, vivid impression on your mind.
*3rd.* There are a great many “methods” or “schemes” of memorizing
advanced in this day of ours, but the writer’s opinion is that the best
way of memorizing is to *get to work and do it*. If it is easily
acquired by some easy method, you may depend on it that *it will be as
easily lost*.
*4th.* Read the verses over twenty times, close your Bible, see if you
can repeat it correctly, *then to be sure, read* it again. *I have made
a practice of writing out on paper* the passages to be memorized. *Once
writing the verse is worth a dozen repetitions of it by mouth*. In
Joliet after talking on personal work one night a lady came to me and
said “How did you memorize so many passages of scripture to meet the
difficulties?” I said to her, “Did you ever ride on the train?” “Oh yes,
hundreds of times." “Did you notice the brakeman come in and call out
the station? How did he know it was the right station? He went over that
road every day, and that is what you and I have to do.
*5th. Review, Review, Review.* That’s the secret of memorizing. *Review*
every *day*. *Review* every *week*. *Review* every *year*. *Review,
Review, Review*.
How many people you hear saying: “I know the verse one day but forget it
the next.” *Well you need to review, that’s all*.
*6th.* Use the passages of Scripture. Seek occasions for talking to
persons who have difficulties. *Practice! Practice!! Practice!!!* That’s
what the *lawyer*, *preacher*, and *doctor* have to do, and that is what
I had to do. Be “seasonable” or “unseasonable,” in season or out of
season, only *seek* your *opportunity* to *practice*.
*7th.* Will you join the author in committing to memory the Gospel of
St. John in a year? Learn three verses a day and review constantly
until a chapter is repeated at one time?
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
_Psalms 119:11._
Scriptures, The.
*The word of God our TESTIMONY.*
*THE WORD OF GOD IS YOUR TESTIMONY.*
BE *ready* ALWAYS to *give* an *answer* to *every man* that *asketh* you
a *reason of the hope* that is in you with *meekness* and *fear*.
_I Peter 3:15._
WHOSOEVER therefore *shall confess me before men*, him will *I confess
also before my Father* which is in *heaven*.
_Matthew 10:32._
BUT *whosoever* shall *deny me before men* him will *I also deny before
my Father* which is in *heaven*.
_Matthew 10:33._
*IF thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus*, and shalt believe
in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; *and with
the mouth confession is made* unto salvation.
_Romans 10:9-10._
DAVID prayed, "*O Lord, open thou my lips*, and my *mouth* shall show
forth thy praise."
_Psalms 51:15._
Live so that you can say with the Psalmist.
I HAVE not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy
faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness
and thy truth from the great congregation.
_Psalms 40:10._
FOR I am *not* ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the *power* of
*God* unto *salvation* to *every one that believeth*.
_Romans 1:16._
THE law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his
lips: He walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from
iniquity.
_Malachi 2:6._
Read: I John 5:15; II Timothy 2:12.
Skeptic.
*The HONEST enquirer, though skeptical.*
IF you are an honest doubter, let me ask you to pray, “O God, if there
be a God show me the truth and I will follow it." Read the book of John
and walk in the light as fast as he reveals it to you, and if you do not
understand everything at once, remember you do not understand many other
things you use and believe;
BUT these (the writings of John’s gospel) are written that ye might
*believe* that *Jesus* is the *Christ*, the *Son* of *God*; and that
*believing* ye might have *life* through *His name*.
_John 20:31._
IF any man *will do his will*, he shall *know* of *the doctrine*.
_John 7:17._
God tells us that an unregenerated man cannot understand spiritual
things.
BUT the *natural man* receiveth not the things of *the Spirit of God*:
for they are *foolishness unto him*: neither can he know them, because
they *are spiritually discerned*.
_I Corinthians 2:14._
The blind man (Mark 8:24), saw “*men as trees.” walking* when Christ
first gave him sight, but he used what sight he had and then Christ gave
him more.
If you use the light you have, the Spirit will give you more. Many have
had the same experiences through which Thomas the Apostle, passed; read
it.
*EXCEPT I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my
finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I
will not believe*. And after eight days again his disciples were within,
and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the door being shut, and stood in
the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach
hither *thy finger*, and behold *my hands*; and reach hither thy hand,
and thrust it *into my side*: and be not faithless, *but believing*. And
Thomas answered and said unto him, *My Lord and my God*.
_John 20:25-28._
Spiritualism Fortune Telling.
*God WARNS against It.*
*REGARD not* them that have *familiar spirits*, neither seek after
wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord thy God.
_Leviticus 19:31_
THE soul that turneth after such as have *familiar spirits, and after
wizards*, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against
that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
_Leviticus 20:6._
*Beware of Spiritualism.*
BELOVED, *believe not every spirit*, but try the spirits whether they
are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that
confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and
this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should
come: and even now already is in the world.
_I John 4:1-3._
EVEN him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and
*signs and lying wonders*, And with all *deceivableness of
unrighteousness* in them that perish; because they received not the love
of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall
send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all
might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness.
_II Thessalonians 2:9-12._
THERE shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his
daughter to pass through the fire, or that *useth divination or an
observer of times or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer or a
consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer*.
_Deuteronomy 18:10-11._
Temperance.
*God’s WARNING against INTEMPERANCE.*
*WOE unto them that rise up early in the morning*, that they may follow
strong drink, that continue until night, till *wine* inflame them.
_Isaiah 5:11._
*WOE unto them that are mighty to drink wine*, and men of strength to
mingle strong drink.
_Isaiah 5:22._
WOE unto him that *giveth his neighbor drink*, that putteth the bottle
to him, and maketh him drunken also.
_Habakkuk 2:15._
HEAR thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. *Be
not among winebibbers*; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard
and the glutton shall *come to poverty*: and drowsiness shall clothe a
man with rags. . . . Who hath *woe*? who hath *sorrow*? who hath
*contentions*? who hath *babbling*? who hath *wounds* without cause? who
hath *redness of eyes*? They that *tarry long at the wine*; they that go
to seek mixed wine. *Look not thou upon the wine* when it is red, when
it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the
last it *biteth like a serpent*, and *stingeth like an adder*.
_Proverbs 23:19-21, 29-32._
WINE is a *mocker*, strong drink is *raging*: and whosoever is deceived
thereby *is not wise*.
_Proverbs 20:1._
HE that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that *loveth wine* and
oil *shall not be rich*.
_Proverbs 21:17._
AND *be not drunk with wine*, wherein is excess; but be filled with the
Spirit.
_Ephesians 5:18._
BUT Daniel *purposed in his heart* that he *would not defile himself*
with the portion of the king’s meat, *nor with the wine which he drank*.
_Daniel 1:8._
Temptation.
*How to gain the VICTORY.*
When you are tempted remember that Christ has promised to deliver you.
THERE hath no *temptation taken you but such as is common to man*: but
God is *faithful*, who will *not suffer (you)* to be *tempted above*
that *ye are able*; but will WITH THE TEMPTATION ALSO MAKE A WAY OF
ESCAPE, that ye may be *able to bear it*.
_I Corinthians 10:13._
THE Lord *knoweth* how to *deliver the Godly out of temptation*.
_II Peter 2:9._
*BLESSED* is the man that *endureth temptation*: for when he is tried, .
. . he shall receive the crown of life. . . . Let no man say when he is
tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil,
neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is *drawn
away of his own lust*, and enticed.
_James 1:12-14._
BE *strong* and of *good courage*; be not *afraid*, neither be thou
*dismayed*: for the *Lord* thy *God* is with thee *whithersoever thou
goest*.
_Joshua 1:9._
FEAR thou not, for *I am with thee*: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
*I will strengthen thee*; yea *I will help thee*; yea, *I will uphold
thee* with the right hand of my righteousness.
_Isaiah 41:10._
FOR we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities; but was *in all points tempted like as we are*, yet
without sin. Let us *therefore* come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and *find grace to help in time of need*.
_Hebrews 4:15-16._
*WATCH and pray*, that ye enter not into temptation.
_Matthew 26:41._
*RESIST the devil, and he will flee from you*.
_James 4:7._
Read: Revelation 3:10; Romans 8:35-39.
Unpardonable Sin.
REMEMBER, as long as there are desires in your heart to do good, you
have not sinned away your day of Grace; for these desires are the result
of the Holy Spirit doing his office work to bring you to God.
ALL that the Father giveth me shall come to me; *and him that cometh to
me I will in no wise cast out*.
_John 6:37._
THE Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count
slackness; but is *longsuffering* to usward, *not willing that any
should perish, but that all* should come to repentance.
_II Peter 3:9._
WHEREFORE he is *able to save them to the uttermost* that come unto God
by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.
_Hebrews 7:25._
God is willing to save all who will come to Him, no matter what feelings
or conditions are.
FOR *whosoever* shall call upon the *name* of the *Lord shall be saved*.
_Romans 10:13._
Show just what the unpardonable sin is?
WHEREFORE I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be
forgiven unto men: *but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost* shall not
be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of
man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy
Ghost, *it shall not be forgiven him*, neither in this world, neither in
the world to come.
_Matthew 12:31-32._
VERILY I say unto you, all sing shall be forgiven unto the sons of men,
and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall
blaspheme against the *Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness*, but is in
danger of *eternal damnation*.
_Mark 3:28-29._
Unforgiveness.
*For those who will not forgive.*
Do not delay one moment, you must forgive them or God will not forgive
you.
THEREFORE if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest thy
brother *hath aught against thee*; Leave there thy gift before the
altar, *and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother*, and then
come and offer thy gift.
_Matthew 5:23, 24._
Have you forgiven *all*?
AND when ye stand praying, *forgive, if ye have ought against any*: that
your Father also which is in heaven may *forgive you your trespasses*.
*BUT if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father* which is in heaven
*forgive your trespasses*.
_Mark 11:25, 26._
AND be ye *kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another*,
even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
_Ephesians 4:32._
FOR if ye *forgive men their trespasses*, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you:
*But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father
forgive your trespasses*.
_Matthew 6:14, 15._
PUT on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of
mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, *and forgiving one another*, if any man have a
quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
_Colossians 3:12, 13._
If you refuse to forgive your neighbor, you make it impossible for God
to forgive you.
LET all *bitterness*, and *wrath*, and *anger*, and *clamour* and *evil
speaking, be put away* from you *with all malice*.
_Ephesians 4:31._
Worldly Amusements.
*"I see no HARM in them"*
*LOVE not the world*, neither the things that are in the world. *If any
man love the world*, the love of the Father is not in him.
_I John 2:15._
WHEREFORE, if meat make my brother to offend, I will *eat no flesh*
while the world standeth, *lest I make my brother to offend*.
_I Corinthians 8:13_
Paul was willing to give up meat for the sake of others. Can you not
give up something?
AND whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all *in the name of the Lord
Jesus*, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
_Colossians 3:17._
WHETHER therefore ye eat, or drink or whatsoever ye do, *do all to the
glory of God*.
_I Corinthians 10:31_
*BE YE not unequally yoked together with unbelievers*.
_II Corinthians 6:14._
*NO man can serve two masters*: for either he will hate the one, and
love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other,
*Ye cannot serve God and mammon*.
_Matthew 6:24._
YE adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that *the friendship of the
world is enmity with God*.
_James 4:4_
WHEREFORE *come out* from among them, and *be ye separate*, saith the
Lord.
_II Corinthians 6:17_
NO man that warreth *entangleth himself with the affairs of this life*;
that he may *please him* who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
_II Timothy 2:4_
FOR ye are bought with a price: therefore *glorify God in your body*,
and in your spirit, which are God’s.
_I Corinthians 6:20_
*WALK in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes*: but
know thou, that *for all these things* God will *bring thee into
judgment*.
_Ecclesiastes 11:9_
KNOW ye not that ye are *the temple of God*, and that the *Spirit of God
dwelleth in you*? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God
destroy; for the *temple of God is holy, which temple ye are*.
_I Corinthians 3:16, 17._
DO you think that you could retain the Holy Spirit while on a Ball Room
floor? Would that not be defiling the temple of the Holy Spirit? Your
body is that temple.
THEY profess that they know God; *but in works they deny him*, being
abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
_Titus 1:16._
When you are on a dance floor or sitting at the card table, are you
confessing Christ by your works? Could you invite Him to join you? Can
you ask a blessing on it.
BE careful for nothing; *but in every thing by prayer and supplication*
with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.
_Philippians 4:6._
WHETHER therefore ye eat, or drink, *or whatsoever ye do, do all to the
glory of God*.
_I Corinthians 10:31._
Do you dance and play cards for the glory of God?
*BE ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers*: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion
hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or
what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? *And what agreement
hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living
God*:
_II Corinthians 6:14-16._
Some say: “All my friends dance, and my pastor does not object to our
dances.”
I must say with Paul:
IF any man preach *any other gospel unto you* than that *ye* have
received, *let him be accursed*.
_Galatians 1:9._
Young Converts.
*What they should do.*
By doing these *four* things nobody can write backslider after your
name.
*1st. Every day say something To GOD.*
*PRAY* without ceasing.
_I Thessalonians 5:17._
BE careful for nothing; but in *everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving* let your *requests be made known unto God*.
_Philippians 4:6._
IF *ye abide in me*, and *my words abide* in *you*, ye *shall ask* what
ye will, and it *shall* be done unto you.
_John 15:7._
THEREFORE I say unto you, *What things soever ye desire*, when ye pray,
believe that ye receive them, and *ye shall have them*.
_Mark 11:24._
CALL *unto me, and I will answer thee*, and show ye great and mighty
things, which thou knowest not.
_Jeremiah 33:3._
CONFESS your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that *ye*
may be healed. The *effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much*.
_James 5:16._