We have an abundance of that which is real,
that which is divine. Those who thirst for knowledge need not
go to polluted fountains.
Christ presented the principles of truth
in the gospel. In His teaching we may drink of the pure streams
that flow from the throne of God.
Christ could have imparted to men knowledge
that would have surpassed any previous disclosures and put in
the background every other discovery. He could have unlocked
mystery after mystery, and could have concentrated around these
wonderful revelations the active, earnest thought of successive
generations till the close of time. But He would not spare a
moment from teaching the knowledge of the science
of salvation. His time, His faculties, His
life itself, was appreciated and used only as the means for working
out the salvation of the souls of men. He had come to seek and
to save that which was lost, and He would not be turned from
His one object. He allowed nothing to divert Him.
Christ imparted only that knowledge which
could be utilized. His instruction of the people was confined
to the needs of their own condition in practical life. The curiosity
that led them to come to Him with prying questions, He did not
gratify. All such questionings He made the occasion for solemn,
earnest, vital appeals. To those who were so eager to pluck from
the tree of knowledge, He offered the fruit of the tree of life.
They found every avenue closed, except the narrow way that leads
to God. Every fountain was sealed, save the fountain of eternal
life.
Our Saviour did not encourage any to attend
the rabbinical schools of His day for the reason that their minds
would be corrupted with the continually repeated, "They
say," or, "It has been said." Why, then, should
we accept the unstable words of men as exalted wisdom, when a
greater, a certain wisdom is at our command?
That which I have seen of eternal things,
and that which I have seen of the weakness of men, as God has
presented it before me, has deeply impressed my mind and influenced
my life and character. I see nothing wherein man should be exalted
or praised or glorified. I see no reason why the opinions of
worldly-wise men should be trusted in and exalted. How can those
who are destitute of divine enlightenment have correct ideas
of God's plans and ways?
I am willing to be taught by Him who created the heavens and the earth, by Him who set the stars in their order in the firmament and appointed the sun and the moon to do their work. I need not go to infidel authors. I choose to be taught of God.