The Bible as a
Textbook
No
other study will so ennoble every thought, feeling, and aspiration
as
the study of the Scriptures. This Sacred Word is the will of God
revealed
to men. Here we may learn what God expects of the beings
formed
in His image. Here we learn how to improve the present life and
how
to secure the future life. No other book can satisfy the questionings of
the
mind and the craving of the heart. By obtaining a knowledge of God’s
word,
and giving heed thereto, men may rise from the lowest depths of
ignorance
and degradation to become the sons of God, the associates of
sinless
angels. A clear conception of what God is, and what He requires us to be, will give
us humble views of self. He who studies aright the Sacred Word will
learn
that human intellect is not omnipotent; that, without the help which
none
but God can give, human strength and wisdom are but weakness and
ignorance.
As an educating power the Bible is without a rival. Nothing will
so
impart vigor to all the faculties as requiring students to grasp the
stupendous
truths of revelation. The mind gradually adapts itself to the
subjects
upon which it is allowed to dwell. If occupied with commonplace
matters
only, to the exclusion of grand and lofty themes, it will become
dwarfed
and enfeebled. If never required to grapple with difficult
problems,
or put to the stretch to comprehend important truths, it will,
after
a time, almost lose the power of growth.
24
The
Bible is the most comprehensive and the most instructive history
which
men possess. It came fresh from the fountain of eternal truth, and
a
divine hand has preserved its purity through all the ages. Its bright
rays
shine into the far distant past, where human research seeks vainly to
penetrate.
In God’s word alone we find an authentic account of creation.
Here
we behold the power that laid the foundation of the earth and that
stretched
out the heavens. Here only can we find a history of our race,
unsullied
by human prejudice or human pride.In the word of God the mind finds subject for
the deepest thought, the loftiest aspiration. Here we may hold communion with
patriarchs and prophets, and listen to the voice of the Eternal as He speaks
with men. Here we behold the Majesty of heaven as He humbled Himself to become our
substitute and surety to cope singlehanded with the powers of darkness and to
gain the victory in our behalf. A reverent contemplation of such
themes
as these cannot fail to soften, purify, and ennoble the heart, and, at
the
same time, to inspire the mind with new strength and vigor. If morality and
religion are to live in a school, it must be through a knowledge of God’s word.
Some may urge that if religious teaching is to be made prominent our school
will become unpopular; that those who are not of our faith will not patronize
the college. Very well, then, let them go to other colleges, where they will
find a system of education that suits their taste. Our school was established,
not merely to teach the sciences, but for the purpose of giving instruction in
the great principles of God’s word and in the practical duties of everyday
life.
This
is the education so much needed at the present time. If a worldly
influence
is to bear sway in our school, then sell it out to worldlings and
let
them take the entire control; and those who have invested their means
in
that institution will establish another school, to be conducted, not upon
the
plan
25
of
popular schools, nor according to the desires of principal and teachers,
but
upon the plan which God has specified. In the name of my Master I entreat all
who stand in responsible positions in that school to be men of God. When the
Lord requires us to be distinct and peculiar, how can we crave popularity or
seek to imitate the customs and practices of the world? God has declared His
purpose to have one college in the land where the Bible shall have its proper
place in
the
education of the youth. Will we do our part to carry out that purpose?
It
may seem that the teaching of God’s word has but little effect on
the
minds and hearts of many students; but, if the teacher’s work has been
wrought
in God, some lessons of divine truth will linger in the memory of
the
most careless. The Holy Spirit will water the seed sown, and often it
will
spring up after many days and bear fruit to the glory of God.
Satan
is constantly seeking to divert the attention of the people from
the
Bible. The words of God to men, which should receive our first
attention,
are neglected for the utterances of human wisdom. How can
He,
who is infinite in power and wisdom, bear thus with the presumption
and
effrontery of men! Through the medium of the press, knowledge of every kind is
placed within the reach of all; and yet, how large a share of every community
are
depraved
in morals and superficial in mental attainments. If the people
would
but become Bible readers, Bible students, we would see a different
state
of things. In an age like ours, in which iniquity abounds and God’s character
and His law are alike regarded with contempt, special care must be taken to
teach
the youth to study, to reverence and obey the divine will as revealed
to
man. The fear of the Lord is fading from the minds of our youth because
of
their neglect of Bible study.
26
Principal
and teachers should have a living connection with God,
and
should stand, firmly and fearlessly, as witnesses for Him. Never
from
cowardice or worldly policy let the word of God be placed in the
background.
Students will be profited intellectually, as well as morally
and
spiritually, by its study.
REFFERENCE
Testimonies
for the Church
Volume
Five
Ellen
G. White
1889,page 23-26
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