Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-11-23
The Bible and Mental Growth

BY the study of the bible, the mind of
mar is brought into contact with the mind
of God. Being designed to be the means
Of the highest intellectual culture, as well
rs the means Of eternal salvation, the di
rections it contains are not usually given in
the form of specific rules, but in the form
of principles. The bible contains asystem
of doctrines, but these doctrines are simply
the principles of duty. From the doctrines
as principles, we deducc rules Of duty
From the doctrine of the divinity of Christ,
we deduce the duty ofpaying him homage.
From the doctrine Of the atonement, we
deduce the duty of trusting in Christs
merits for acceptance with God.
These doctrines or principles are not iso-
lated. They are parts Of a system, and
taken together form a perfect whole; no
one doctrine can be perfectly understood
when viewed by itself.
The student Of astronomy may know that
the revolves annually around the sun,
orbit, and the times and circumstances of
her revolution, unless he understands the
relation of the moon to the earth, and to
other portions OF the solarsystem. In like
manner man may know that certain
doctrine is found in the bible, and is there
fore true; but he cannot fully understand
that doctrine till he understands the sys.
tenn Of which it is a part.
The doctrines contained in the bible are
not arranged in formal systematic man
ner, as man would arrange them. They
are not set in order, so that they can be
approached and apprehended with the leas
possible exercise of thought. They art
embedded in facts, just as the natural sci
ences are embedded in facts.
There is in nature perfect system o
astronomy, but it is not so arranged tina
the careless observer may see it, To :
careless and superficial observer, nothin!
can be more confused than the apparen
motions of the heavenly bodies-the fact
from which the science of astronomy is t
be deduced. When observation has foun,
the right standpoint, and the principle
are deduced from the phenomena, then al
confusion ceases, and q perfectly harmoni
Gus system appears.
In like manner there is perfect syster
of theology in the bible, but it is not 8
once apparent. 1t lies underneath the fact
of the bible. These are made up of nara
tives, and precepts, and psalms, and propl
ecies, and epistles Nothing at first view
seems farther from system than the teacl
ings of the bible. But careful study revea
system comprehensive and perfect.
SO far as we can see, God has constructe
both nature and the bible in this way,
order to exercise the mind, and thus deve
op its power Intellectual growth is thu
promoted by the study of the bible, in IL
same way in which it is promoted by II
study of the natural sciences.
1t is also promoted by the peculiar n
ture of the truths which compose this d
vine science, and by the fact that they con
fresh from the mind of God. If truth ha-
tendency to quicken the soul, the tru
of God must have tendency in the hig
est degree. 1t does not, like the science
mathematics, address tie intellect alon
it stirs the deepest feelings of the soul.
Efforts of pure intellect now do not ca
forth the highest intellectual power. Tn
is called forth when the highest intellectu
effort is stimulated by intense feeling; IL
is the very condition of mind which t
truth of God is adapted to produce.
Truth relating to the natural sciences
admitted to be powerful instrument
mental growth; much more, then, shou
we expect that truth relating to conscio
immortal intelligences should have sill
liar power
The study of the wisdom of sages a,
statesmen, as shown in the formation
constitutions and in acts of legislatic
gives power to the mind much more mi
the study of the divine constitution of t
moral universe, and the legislation of t
King of kings.
We have thus viewed one of the ma
aspects in which the value of the study
the bible is apparent. Its great value &C
sists in making us wise unto salvation,
teaching us the way of deliverance FRI
sin; but there are incidental benefits
sulting from its study, to which wedO W
to refer from time to time.-Bi5le Recor