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we neglect to improve the privilege of hearing and seeing it； we virtually
reject it； we are choosing darkness rather than light。
〃There is a way that seemeth right unto a man； but the end thereof are the
ways of death。〃 Proverbs 16：25。 Ignorance is no excuse for error or sin；
when there is every opportunity
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to know the will of God。 A man is traveling and comes to a place where there
are several roads and a guideboard indicating where each one leads。 If he
disregards the guideboard； and takes whichever road seems to him to be
right； he may be ever so sincere； but will in all probability find himself
on the wrong road。
God has given us His word that we may become acquainted with its teachings
and know for ourselves what He requires of us。 When the lawyer came to Jesus
with the inquiry； 〃What shall I do to inherit eternal life？〃 the Saviour
referred him to the Scriptures； saying： 〃What is written in the law？ how
readest thou？〃 Ignorance will not excuse young or old； nor release them from
the punishment due for the transgression of God's law； because there is in
their hands a faithful presentation of that law and of its principles and
claims。 It is not enough to have good intentions； it is not enough to do
what a man thinks is right or what the minister tells him is right。 His
soul's salvation is at stake； and he should search the Scriptures for
himself。 However strong may be his convictions； however confident he may be
that the minister knows what is truth； this is not his foundation。 He has a
chart pointing out every waymark on the heavenward journey； and he ought not
to guess at anything。
It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the
Scriptures what is truth； and then to walk in the light and encourage others
to follow his example。 We should day by day study the Bible diligently；
weighing every thought and comparing scripture with scripture。 With divine
help we are to form our opinions for ourselves as we are to answer for
ourselves before God。
The truths most plainly revealed in the Bible have been involved in doubt
and darkness by learned men； who； with a pretense of great wisdom； teach
that the Scriptures have a mystical； a secret； spiritual meaning not
apparent in the language employed。 These men are false teachers。 It was to
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such a class that Jesus declared： 〃Ye know not the Scriptures； neither the
power of God。〃 Mark 12：24。 The language of the Bible should be explained
according to its obvious meaning； unless a symbol or figure is employed。
Christ has given the promise： 〃If any man will do His will； he shall know of
the doctrine。〃 John 7：17。 If men would but take the Bible as it reads； if
there were no false teachers to mislead and confuse their minds； a work
would be accomplished that would make angels glad and that would bring into
the fold of Christ thousands upon thousands who are now wandering in error。
We should exert all the powers of the mind in the study of the Scriptures
and should task the understanding to comprehend； as far as mortals can； the
deep things of God； yet we must not forget that the docility and submission
of a child is the true spirit of the learner。 Scriptural difficulties can
never be mastered by the same methods that are employed in grappling with
philosophical problems。 We should not engage in the study of the Bible with
that self…reliance with which so many enter the domains of science； but with
a prayerful dependence upon God and a sincere desire to learn His will。 We
must come with a humble and teachable spirit to obtain knowledge from the
great I AM。 Otherwise； evil angels will so blind our minds and harden our
hearts that we shall not be impressed by the truth。
Many a portion of Scripture which learned men pronounce a mystery； or pass
over as unimportant； is full of comfort and instruction to him who has been
taught in the school of Christ。 One reason why many theologians have no
clearer understanding of God's word is； they close their eyes to truths
which they do not wish to practice。 As understanding of Bible truth depends
not so much on the power of intellect brought to the search as on the
singleness of purpose； the earnest longing after righteousness。
The Bible should never be studied without prayer。 The Holy Spirit alone can
cause us to feel the importance of those
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things easy to be understood； or prevent us from wresting truths difficult
of comprehension。 It is the office of heavenly angels to prepare the heart
so to comprehend God's word that we shall be charmed with its beauty；
admonished by its warnings； or animated and strengthened by its promises。 We
should make the psalmist's petition our own： 〃Open Thou mine eyes； that I
may behold wondrous things out of Thy law。〃 Psalm 119：18。 Temptations often
appear irresistible because； through neglect of prayer and the study of the
Bible； the tempted one cannot readily remember God's promises and meet Satan
with the Scripture weapons。 But angels are round about those who are willing
to be taught in divine things； and in the time of great necessity they will
bring to their remembrance the very truths which are needed。 Thus 〃when the
enemy shall come in like a flood； the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a
standard against him。〃 Isaiah 59：19。
Jesus promised His disciples： 〃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 the teachings of Christ must previously have been stored in the
mind in order for the Spirit of God to bring them to our remembrance in the
time of peril。 〃Thy word have I hid in mine heart；〃 said David； 〃that I
might not sin against Thee。〃 Psalm 119：11。
All who value their eternal interests should be on their guard against the
inroads of skepticism。 The very pillars of truth will be assailed。 It is
impossible to keep beyond the reach of the sarcasms and sophisms； the
insidious and pestilent teachings； of modern infidelity。 Satan adapts his
temptations to all classes。 He assails the illiterate with a jest or sneer；
while he meets the educated with scientific objections and philosophical
reasoning； alike calculated to excite distrust or contempt of the
Scriptures。 Even youth of little experience presume to insinuate doubts
concerning the fundamental
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principles of Christianity。 And this youthful infidelity； shallow as it is；
has its influence。 Many are thus led to jest at the faith of their fathers
and to do despite to the Spirit of grace。 Hebrews 10：29。 Many a life that
promised to be an honor to God and a blessing to the world has been blighted
by the foul breath of infidelity。 All who trust to the boastful decisions of
human reason and imagine that they can explain divine mysteries and arrive
at truth unaided by the wisdom of God are entangled in the snare of Satan。
We are living in the most solemn period of this world's history。 The destiny
of earth's teeming multitudes is about to be decided。 Our own future
well…being and also the salvation of other souls depend upon the course
which we now pursue。 We need to be guided by the Spirit of truth。 Every
follower of Christ should earnestly inquire： 〃Lord； what wilt Thou have me
to do？〃 We need to humble ourselves before the Lord； with fasting and
prayer； and to meditate much upon His word； especially upon the scenes of
the judgment。 We should now seek a deep and living experience in the things
of God。 We have not a moment to lose。 Events of vital importance are taking
place around us； we are on Satan's enchanted ground。 Sleep not； sentinels of
God； the foe is lurking near； ready at any moment； should you become lax and
drowsy； to spring upon you and make you his prey。
Many are deceived as to their true condition before God。 They congratulate
themselves upon the wrong acts which they do not commit； and forget to
enumerate the good and noble deeds which God requires of them； but which
they have neglect