Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1890-11-22
A LOST ART.
Christian Advocate.

Christian Advocate.
Perhaps not the best title, but it has
this advantage, it is familiar. A lost |
art-lost to most; but, happily, re-
tanned by a few. This it is-the art |
of Bible-reading and study. OF those |
who read it at all, probably the large |
majority read in a random way.
Now and then, if the sacred volume
is at hand, and nothing more interest.
ing solicits attention, they will pick
it up, glance over it-where chance |
directs-in a listless way, and then |
lay it aside with scarce thought of
what they have been doing, and with |
no remembrance Of what, in fact,
never had Judgement in the memo
ry. Many of those who have plan,
make it to include the daily reading
of very limited sections, with view
to meditation upon them that is, in
many cases, as justification for the
devotion of slender portion of time
to the Holy Book. The purposed
meditation is forgotten the reading
is only pydcebO, which quiets con-
science, but does little good to mind
or heart. The majority either do not
read at all or do it with such infre-
quency and inattention that, if re-
quested to turn to passage in Zecha-
riab, they would not know whether
to look in the Old Testament or the
New, if, indeed, they have taken in
the fact of this general division of the
sacred Canon. 1t is embarrassing to
see such persons fumbling the leaves
and vainly hoping for some escape
from their confusion. Talk of reviv-
als Is any revival more needed
than one which will move our people
to search the scriptures Can we
hope for stalwart, steadfast, intelli>
gent Christians, so long as men and
women take no note of the holy COM
mandments delivered to them, or are
indifferent to the will of God in Christ
Jesus concerning them? Will the
Church not be poor and miserable
while it remains uniformed of the
wealth freely proffered in the gospel
and of the exceeding great and pre-
cious promises given to it?
These questions intimate the bene-
fits of Bible study; but the subject
deserves more full and explicit con-
sideration. The careful student of
Gods word will store his mind with
the greatest truths and soon find his
heart stirred and moved by the
weightiest motives. The ferment of
lofty thoughts and the impulse of
these divine motives will transform
the sordid life into life glorified by
holy aspirations, worthy aims, and
noble endeavOrs. The constant, de-
vout Bible student will acquire a tone
of thought and feeling which unhap-
PLY few, it is to be feared, possess.
A man who reads nothing but the
daily news will have only secular
tone; the man or woman who reads
chiefly fiction will breathe an atmos-
phere which only enervates, and
those who read only profane litera-
ture, though it may be of a character
well approved, will be out of sympa-
thy with the spiritual, and disin.
clined to the entertainment and con.
sideration of divine truth. Bible
study is very helpful to prayer. AT,
ter God has spoken to us through hi:
word we are more disposed to speak
to him in our closets. The word O
God suggests most important subjects
for prayer. Do you say, How is this
| feel that l need about every thing.
Yes; but this general impression is
sues in general petitiOns-the result
small benefits or none, But the Chris
tan who reads and ponders the bless
ed Book receives suggestions, o.
palmer direction, respecting hi
wants; and then the specific anC
richer blessings. And, further, sucl
an one finds in the word the suitable
vehicle of expression. Do you say
If know what l need I can tell it t
God? Yes, if you kRow. But it hap
pens oftentimes that the impression
Of need, while positive, is vague
The Bible reader finds his undefineC
thought crvStallized in some precer
5r petition Of the word, and so is, b
IL, enabled To- make his wants ant