The urgent necessities that are making
themselves felt in this time demand a constant education in the
word of God. This is present truth. Throughout the world there
should be a reform in Bible study, for it is needed now as never
before. As this reform progresses, a mighty work will be wrought;
for when God declared that His word should not return unto Him
void, He meant all that He said. A knowledge of God and of Jesus
Christ "whom He has sent" is the highest education,
and it will cover the earth with its wonderful enlightenment
as the waters cover the sea.
Bible study is especially needed in the
schools. Students should be rooted and grounded in divine truth.
Their attention should be called, not to the assertions of men,
but to the word of God. Above all other books, the word of God
must be our study, the great textbook, the basis of all education;
and our children are to be educated in the truths found therein,
irrespective of previous habits and
customs. In doing this, teachers and students will find the hidden
treasure, the higher education.
Bible rules are to be the guide of the
daily life. The cross of Christ is to be the theme, revealing
the lessons we must learn and practice. Christ must be brought
into all the studies, that students may drink in the knowledge
of God and may represent Him in character. His excellence is
to be our study in time as well as in eternity. The word of God,
spoken by Christ in the Old and New Testaments, is the bread
from heaven; but much that is called science is as dishes of
human invention, adulterated food; it is not the true manna.
In God's word is found wisdom unquestionable,
inexhaustible--wisdom that originated, not in the finite, but
in the infinite mind. But much of that which God has revealed
in His word is dark to men, because the jewels of truth are buried
beneath the rubbish of human wisdom and tradition. To many the
treasures of the word remain hidden, because they have not been
searched for with earnest perseverance until the golden precepts
were understood. The word must be searched in order to purify
and prepare those who receive it to become members of the royal
family, children of the heavenly King.
The study of God's word should take the place
of the study of those books that have led minds into mysticism
and away from the truth. Its living principles, woven into our
lives, will be our safeguard in trials and temptations; its divine
instruction is the only way to success. As the test comes to
every soul, there will be apostasies. Some will prove to be traitors,
heady, high-minded, and self-sufficient, and will turn away from
the truth, making shipwreck of faith. Why? Because they did not
live "by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of
God." They did not dig deep and make their foundation sure.
When the words of the Lord through His chosen
messengers are brought to them, they murmur and think the way
is made too strait. In the sixth chapter of John we read of some
who were thought to be disciples of Christ, but who, when the
plain truth was presented to them, were displeased and walked
no more with Him. In like manner these superficial students also
will turn away from Christ.
Everyone who has been converted to God
is called upon to grow in capability by using his talents; every
branch of the living Vine that does not grow is pruned off and
cast away as rubbish. What, then, shall be the character of the
education given in our schools? Shall it be according to the
wisdom of this world or according to that wisdom that is from
above? Will not teachers awake to their responsibility in this
matter and see that the word of God has a larger place in the
instruction given in our schools?