The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-02-20
International Sunday. School Lessons.
THE BIBLE AS AN EDUCATIONAL
GUIDE,

THE BIBLE AS AN EDUCATIONAL
GUIDE.
"What manner of man is he like to
be who breakfasts with Abraham, sups
with Paul, and sings David's songs in
the night-timep So asks a popular
writer of the day, when advocating the
Bible as the greatest of all educational
books. There can be no question that
in the important work of training the
young and forming both the intellectual
and moral character there is no book in
the world that can take the place of the
Bible. The whole experience of the
past, on the part of those who have
given the matter fair trial, would 90
to prove this e-eminence of the Bible
as an intellectual and moral textbook.
1t gives the truest light to the mind, and
it gives the clearest, purest light to the
soul. Nor does the writer Just referred
to go too far in saying: "If any one
thinks that this single book is not to be
regarded as great factor in educa-
tional processes, let me tell him that it
is more than equal to any other hundred
books he could pick out, and q more
powerful factor in. the work of building
up thorough mental structure than any
other two hundred that could be named
unconnected with it."
The Bible is large book, covering a
vast range of subjects, suited to all
classes of men and all conditions of life.
II onpto;no n ,uorld of ;,fo,,,,, n +;o,, oo,,
corning both God and man, nature and
history, time and eternity; and it an
swers questions which every thinking
mind must raise, and which can be an
swered nowhere else. 1t is easy to see
what treasure he has who believes it
, to be from God, who accepts it as
Gods own solution of the deep mys-
teries of life and death, who from his
youth has formed the habit of studying
it daily as the guide of life, and who
has also learned to follow all its coun-
sells with the docility Of child and
the loyal obedience of a servant of
God. For he has thereby brought his
whole mind and heart and character
under the most powerful and salutary
educational discipline this world has
ever known. This is fact which can
not be gainsaid or denied. Too many
thousands of good and intelligent men
and women have made trial of the
Bible as the guide and instructor of
their lives, to admit of its being ques-
toned. All the railing skepticism in
the world would not weigh a feather
against this individual and united testi-
mony of actual experience on the part
of thousands.
Of course the influence of the Bible
as an educational teacher must depend
upon its being taken as such. This is
the true light of the world. But it does
not shine where it is not known. 1t can
do no good to those who will not re-
ceive it, who do not read and study it,
who will not follow its teachings, who
resist and reject it, Still further this
habitual and docfle Bible study, to be
of much avail as an educational disci-
pline of the soul, must begin in youth.
At no time of life is its educational in
structions so much needed and so i'm
portant. Then, if ever, the mind must
be filled with Divine truth, the heart
trained to noble habits and aspirations,
and the character of the man nodded
for time and eternity. 1t is in youth
that the destiny of the soul is for the
most part settled. 1t is in youth that
the choice is for the most part made be-
tween virtue and vice, Christ and the
god of this world. 1t is in youth
especially that the practical question
of life is made and answered: ".Where-
with shall a young man cleanse his
wayp By taking heed thereto according
to Thy word"
1t is in the Bible-in the daily, pray
erful reading and study of it-that the
good man comes in contact and commun-
ion with the God who made and re-
deemed him. And it Is here that the
ingenious young mind is led to that
higher spiritual knowledge which it so
much needs, and which no other books
can give. In the strong and truthful
words of the writer above quoted: ga
man does not get mathematics out of
the Bible, but knowledge of human life;
knowledgeof human nature; knowledge
Of human history; furthermore, what
the schools never give, comprehension
of the true uses, end and aims of human
existence, balance to weigh the world
withal and all things in it, so that the
small is no longer mistaken for the
great, nor the great for the small. He
finds q chrism there that clears the men
tai vision, a food that satisfies the soul
hunger, guide that saves from false
philosophy, a leading star that keeps
the minds eye true, q field for life's ut
most work, prize for its utmost en-
deayor, an object for its utmost capac-
tiles"
Gods Word was intended to give
light to the people, and it does give
light in every human habitation where
it'i permitted to shine. 1t is lamn to