The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-11-12
USE OF THE BIBLE.
How Gods Word Should Be Road bv
Seekers After Divine Truth.

USE Of The BIBLE.
How Gods Word Should Be Read bv
Seekers After Divine Truth.
All Christians are supposed to read
their Bibles every day. The amount
may vary from verse or two to chap.
ter or two. But how is the reading done?
Possibly good many Of us havesbeen
won't to read our chapter as the last duty
of the day. Very likely some Of us
tired and sleepy, shave failed 70 profit
largely by our reading. We have occa-
sionally stumbled on verse that has
appealed to US more or less, no doubt
I have been benefited BY just such
desultory reading. But what kind
Of way to do any thing is thatP It is
like the work of listless mechanic.
The heart is not in it. The man who
docs his work we'll, on the other hand,
has the satisfaction Of knowing it, and
is continually becoming more skilful.l
The person who studies the Word Of
God faithfully and honestly, not only
has the satisfaction of knowing that he
is doing an important duty and making
the most Of great privilege, but is at
the same time being richly rewarded
by an increased understanding of the
Scriptures. Each one can best decide
for himself how to get clearer insight
nto the Bible, but let as all see to 1t
that we are reading with open eyes,
are improving the opportunity Of learn
ing about our Creator. through the Book
He has given US. VI
In the first place, let us get up lit
tie enthusiasm on the subject Atleast,
let us open up the New Testament with
ss much interest = we take Su {. daily
paper. The ways Of approaching the
Bible are countless. Some of US may
need to DO reminded that it is library,
not single book; that this collection Of
books is comprehensive; that having
stood the test of ages, it comes to us for
us to get help from; that we are to use
what we call common sense" in study
ing it, taking into consideration the fact
that God, through it, is speaking to
sensible beings, who have certain
amount Of understanding, and are sup
posed to exercise what they have; and
in order that all mankind may enjoy the
rich blessing, the language, for the mos
part, is in extreme simple garb. Those
who are fond of history can begin BY
mastering some good Biblical history
all who appreciate the excelences O
English literature have an inexhausti
BILE mine of gold to explore. II one
likes biography, what study is 80, inter
esting, so helpful or SO inspiring as tn
life Of our Lord and Saviour Jesu
Christ?
Now, then. with such rich material Q
hand, let US use it systematically. W.
have read that people in quest of Divin,
direction have consulted the Bible b,
opening it at random, and dropping
the eyes on some verse that has turned
out to be the needed help. Personally
l have no faith in this chance mode.
believe we are to search the Scripture
diligently; not to trifle with them. w,
should have plan in our work. Nova
days skeletons are prepared for us. tt
the man who has put good solid worl
into filling in these skeletons, the re
ward has been rich. We have our Sun
daY-school lesson papers. Of course w
can 60 on In the easy, careless way o
spending five or ten minutes on eacl
lesson before class, or we can Civ,
much careful thought to them, with
corresponding profit. How much bet
ter it is to do clean, thorough work
first to consider the subject from all tn,
standpoints indicated by the plan, thel
to connect all our scattered thoughts s.
that we can grasp something def1nit
at the close of our study. Why is
that boys and girls who are concien
tious students six days in the week, ar
so Indifferent toward the most importan
lesson that comes on Sunday? Intel
lectually as we'll as morally it is wron
|. for scholars to be allowed to slide alon,
so carelessly. AS in the case of desul
tory private reading, admit that, ow
! ing to the richness Of the Book of Life
the chances are that they will get som
good, but the fact still remains tina
they are not doing their part, and tina
their education is fundamentally wrong
Let US remember, then. that we hav
work to do If we would get what Their
is in store for US. Let take book Q
the 'divine library" and study 1t intel
, ligently, sentence by sentence, chapte
. by chapter, and as whole. 1t is to b
hoped that many st us have . love fc
the sacred writings strong enough to il
! duce us to employ method in our work
, II the rest of US can get up enthusiasm
! enough to start with. interest may gro
to be love- The beginning of systema
ic study is worth great deal. We al
likely to appreciate its advantages an
. cling to it. So let us commence will
! out delay, if We are not already purs1
ing the proper course. We must wor
! while the day lasts. not listlessly. b.
! with activity and energy, believing th'
, our reward will be proportionate to 0,
labor.-Watchman.