The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-09-13
How to Study the Bible.

uldr Cnapler or DOCK. Wnen tnaC is
found, then you can unlock the treas
ures of the book. In Genesis, for in
stance, we find eight great beginnings, :"
this key will help you to understand not
only Genesis, but good part of the
Bible. 1t will repay US if we spend
good while in studying any one of the
books. Let us go to it with some definite
object-to find strength or cheer and
guidance. For these very objects it has
been given to us, not simply that we may
read parts of it, at set times and in an
aimless way. 1t is better to read little
and understand thoroughly what we read,
than to read the whole book through
every year and not appropriate any of its
teachings. In California they say that
you have to dig deep to get the purest
and finest gold. If we would find out
the blessed truths contained in the Bible,
we must hunt and dig deeply for them. l
sometimes spend months on one book,
until have got the DRIFT of it. Thus l
am helped to understand other books,
and the truth becomes a part of my very
being.
Another profitable way is to study it
topicaIIy. Take concordance and go
through every passage on any particular
subject, just as an advocate who wishes
to convince a jury would bring together
all the facts he can gather on the point
at issue. Take, for instance, " THE Lone
of God" See how it shines out on every
page from Genesis onwards growing
brighter as the years pass on, till Christ
came as its full and glorious manifesto
ton. If we thus study the wonderful
love of God towards ourselves, we will
be ready to go and throw our arms
around the neck of our worst enemy.
David said he hid Gods word in his
heart that he might not sin against Him
some one has said it was good thing in
a good place for good purpose. Many
Scotch people have got good deal of
the Bible in their heads, but they want
to get it into their hearts The word of
God alone can quicken our spiritual life.
1t is very interesting to note how often
in the 10th Psalm David asks the Lord,
Quicken me according to thu qUord."
Then we might take up such topic as
Heaven. A friend said to me on one
occasion, after had been preaching on
this subject, I did not know there was
so much in the Bible about heaven" If
we will only read about it, and talk
about it, and think about it, we shall soon
become more heavenly minded we shall
have our hearts affections set on things
above. Other subjects might be studied
in the same way, such as Grace" "The
Atonement," Justification by Faith,
Sanctifcation. A deeply interesting
and valuable subject of study is TIE
Conversions Of the Bi6le;;" they are so
different from what we often think con-
versions ought to be. We find Christ
saying to one disciple and another as
they were at their daily business, " Fol
low Me" straightway they obeyed and
followed Him. l wish we could get back
to the primitive methods of conversion.
People say they do not believe in sudden
conversion, and talk about the danger of
it. cannot find any other sort of con-
versions in the Bible.
have been wonderfully blessed some
times In taking up a single word and
running through the Scriptures to dis
cover the meaning and application of it.
When at family worship in house last
week, l was struck by the frequent use
of the word "Lf'; got much spiritual
blessing IN searching it out. In the same
| Wy W nay oCuiJ IuS e8 preston ~ /
knoa0." Many people in Scotland are
troubled because they have not got as
surance; others do not believe in it. Let
them go to the Epistles of the Apostle
John. We can have no peace of soul as
long as we have any uncertainty aboutour
future. 1t is not the mind Of God that
we should be in such uncertainty. Christ
told his disciples to rejoice how could
they rejoice if they were uncertain about
their spiritual condition Nowadays,
it would almost seem as if it were saba
ton By doubts that we ought to seek
after. How dishonoring this is to God.
Love does not like to be doubted. Study
the Scriptures, and especially Johns
Epistles, on this one subject of assurance,
and you will be surprised at the light
you will receive. If this book does not
teach assurance of salvation, should
like to know what it does teach.
Then you might take the Ouercon,es, ="
the Blessed" and the " No naores" Of
Revelation, which is the only book in the
Bible to accompany the reading of which
blessing is promised. 1 think the devil
wants us to keep away from studying
this book. 1t tells Of his own downfall
and destruction, and he does not want
us to know about that. Take also the
9 Precious Things" of the Epistles of
/ Peter kpo,v ro4 ,,Loro - - rrt -.