CHAPTER XXIII. Be a Bible Student

BE A BIBLE STUDENT

Never was there an age with so many books as the present; books to amuse and instruct, books of fact and fiction, but the greatest and grandest is the Bible. “It has,” as Locke said, “God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without mixture of error for its matter,—it is all pure, all sincere; nothing too much, nothing wanting.”

The Bible is the only book in which the best literature of thirty centuries is incorporated, the only book which has been translated into more than three hundred languages and printed by the hundreds of millions. The only book which has stimulated invention, advanced education, given stability, order and prosperity to homes and nations, emancipated slaves, exalted virtue, and led lost souls to a knowledge of Christ and everlasting life.

The Bible! Bishop Foster said, “Exiled, it has created a new kingdom and shifted the center and balance of power. Carried away captive, it has broken down rival altars and overthrown false gods, till the right of way has been accorded to it by friend and foe. Sold into bondage by false brethren, it has captured the hearts of its masters, and ascended the throne of dominion. Driven into sea, it has gone over dry shod, seeing its enemies overwhelmed in the flood and itself singing the glad song of deliverance. Burned on the public square by the public executioner, it has risen Phœnix-like and floated away in triumph, wearing the smoke of its own funeral pyre as a flag of victory. Scourged from city to city, it has gone through the capitals of the civilized world, leaving behind it a trail of light attesting its divine authority. Cast into the leper’s pest-house, it has purified the scales of contagion, restored the soft pink skin of smiling infancy, quickened the energies of romping youth, and recreated the sinews of heroic manhood. Betrayed by a kiss, it has stood erect in the calm majesty of eternity, amid the swarming minions of its enemies. Nailed to a felon’s cross it has illuminated the darkness by the radiance of its own glory, and transformed the summits of sacrifice into a throne of universal judgment. Sealed into the gloom of a sepulcher, it has come forth with the echoing footsteps of Almighty God, rising to dominion over all intelligences.”

The Bible! Marvelous book! It has illuminated every darkness, broken the shackles of vicious habits, and given inspiration along all lines of goodness. The pictures of Raphael, the images of Milton, the allegory of Bunyan were all drawn from it. Ruskin built his literary productions upon it. The poets Thompson and Johnson dipped their pens in the style of the Orientals. Emboldened by its teaching Howard devoted his life to the amelioration of prisoners, Wilberforce and Lincoln to the emancipation of slaves, and the Pilgrim Fathers forsook their native land to accept the hardships of this untilled country, where they might worship God according to the dictates of their conscience.

The Bible! It is the best book for boys. Not only does it tell the story of Joseph sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, Samuel called by God in the night, David killing Goliath with sling and stone, Daniel cast into the lions’ den, Christ confounding the doctors of the law by His knowledge of the Scriptures, but it makes one rich in things eternal. In London a poor man once purchased a second-hand family Bible, and was turning over its leaves, when he found two stuck together. His wife loosened them with hot water, and found there six crisp five pound bank-notes, twenty-five dollars each. He was questioning his right to keep them, when he found these words written on one of them: “I have had to work very hard for these, and, having no natural heirs, I leave thee, whoever shall buy this Holy Book, my lawful heir, June 17, 1840, South End, Essex.” So—

“This Book unfolds Jehovah’s mind, This voice salutes in accents kind; This friend will all your needs supply, This fountain send forth streams of joy. This mine affords us boundless wealth, This good physician gives us health. This sun renews and warms the soul, This sword both wounds and makes us whole; This letter shows our sins forgiven, This guide conducts us safe to heaven; This charter has been sealed with blood— This volume is the Word of God.”

READ THE BIBLE.

The Bible, being such an excellent book, should be read with care. There is not a condition or circumstance in life but that some appropriate counsel is given. “In this Book,” as Dean Stanley said to the skeptic Ewald, “is contained all the wisdom of the world.” George Muller formed the habit of reading it through with diligent attention four times a year. So delighted was Sir William Jones with it, that he wrote on the blank leaf of his Bible: “I have regularly and attentively perused these Holy Scriptures.”

If the Bible is good to read it is better to study. To study is an art and is the couplet to habitual practice. Said a talented young man to a musician, “Tell me how to play the sonatas of Beethoven in their true spirit.” “You ask too much of me,” said the musician, “yet I will do what I can. What do you play these days?” “Nothing.” “My friend! How shall I tell you how to play Beethoven when it is not your habit to play anything at all? To know how to play Beethoven you must first of all know how to play.” So with the Bible. To know how to study it, we must first of all know how to study. To enjoy a painting one needs more than to glance at it. It should be looked at from every point, the variety of shading noticed minutely, and then, taking a step backwards, one is better able to appreciate it, as its whole beauty stands out prominently. There is an ingenious engraving of the first draft of the American Constitution and the Emancipation Proclamation, so finely shaded that at a little distance one presents a perfect likeness of George Washington, the other an excellent portrait of Abraham Lincoln. So after investigating this authentic history, this library of sixty-six of the world’s best books, the more than a hundred pieces of its best music and double that of pictures, one cannot fail to see standing out from all the great Jehovah and His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

PEASANT AND BIBLE.

To study the Bible was once considered a crime. Only priests were allowed to read and interpret it. Those who were caught searching its sacred pages were punished by fine, imprisonment and not infrequently death. On one occasion Joseph II. under the assumed name of “Count of Falkenstein” was traveling in Bohemia, and, being stopped by a rainstorm took shelter at a village inn. During the evening some of the peasants called at the tavern to talk with the landlord about a small house just outside the village, in which they claimed dark-looking objects, carrying lighted torches, were moving about. Superstition had such a hold upon the peasantry that they thought the future welfare of the little town depended upon the utter annihilation of that cottage, together with its occupants. Joseph, overhearing their conversation, expressed a desire to see the place. Accordingly he proceeded thither with his escort. On arriving, he commanded his attendants to surround the house while he knocked at the door. The summons was answered by an old man who asked, “Who is it that disturbs an honest man at so late an hour?” The Emperor replied: “If you are honest, no harm shall befall you, but, if not, you shall die this very night.” The old man re-entered the room and Joseph followed and seated himself on the stove-hearth. In the center of the room was a table with a Bible upon it, and gathered around were several pious-looking people who had been engaged in divine worship. Joseph ordered the master of the house to proceed with his devotions. This he did, reading from the third chapter of the Gospel of St. John: “For God so loved the world.” After listening a little while, the ruler, with tears in his eyes, exclaimed: “I was not aware that there were people who still had the courage to read the Bible.” He invited the pious father to come to Vienna and inquire at the imperial palace for the “Count of Falkenstein.” The good man, in company with his son, soon after went, and found the Count to be the Emperor himself. Joseph grasped both his hands and gave him a scroll which contained the toleration edict, dated October 13th, 1781. He also handed him a purse of five hundred florins with which to build a chapel. This chapel bearing the inscription, “A present from the Emperor,” is situated in the village of Lackenstein, Bohemia, while the name of Senitz is still honored as the one who dared study the Word of God, though a nation opposed it.

POINTS TO REMEMBER.

To study the Bible one needs a proper spirit. Ezra said, “He prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord.” (Ezra 7:10). Heart preparation is needed to open the covers of this Book indited by the Holy Ghost. It is God’s Book, and should be handled by clean fingers and a clean heart. Without doubt Ezra prayed before he studied. “Open Thou mine eyes,” said David, “that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” (Psalm 119:18). Every boy should speak to God before he looks into the Bible, asking that he may reverently and intelligently read its contents.

“Study it carefully, Think of it prayerfully, Deep in thy heart let its pure precepts dwell. Slight not its history, Ponder its mystery; None can e’er prize it too fondly or well.”

To study the Bible one should have a special time if possible. The early morning is doubtless the best, for the mind is more active and receptive, and passages then read may be considered with profit throughout the day. However, it is a good thing to glance at it whenever there is a spare moment. James Bonnell made the Holy Scriptures his constant and daily study. He read them, meditated upon them and prayed over them. Sir John Hartop, amidst his many vocations, kept the Bible before him night and day. If it is good to read in the morning, and to meditate upon through the day, it is just as good to read in the evening. The good German expositor Bengel was seen one night with the open Bible upon his knees, and laying his hand upon its sacred page, was heard to say, “Lord Jesus, we are on the same terms that we were this morning, now I will lie down and sleep, and Thou wilt fulfill Thy Word in me.” Blessed confidence!

To study the Bible one might use a few helps to advantage. Use a reference Bible. It is almost indispensable to proper study. A concordance is necessary to turn to any verse with celerity. A Bible dictionary is a valuable aid to explain many things in history, antiquity, customs and manners. A good commentary is often a valuable requisite. It helps in the study, though it must not be depended upon as a lame man depends upon his crutches.

HOW TO STUDY.

What is worth doing is certainly worth doing well. No fitful study has ever mastered any branch of science or art. If constant application of fundamental principles is necessary to achieve the highest results in scientific investigation, if the ability to make accurate lines and curves is essential to the success of the truest artist, if practice in five-finger exercises is a daily necessity to the pianist, the boy who desires to be thoroughly acquainted with the Bible must diligently search it.

Study carefully words and verses. Frequently one word is a nugget of pure gold. Study ideas. As there are veins of silver and gold in the rocks, so there are veins of truth running through the Bible. Study history. No book deals with nations as far back and shows their rise and fall as the Bible. Study geography. There are rivers and mountains associated with great events. Every land seems to have changed except the one where the Bible was written. Egypt, Greece and Rome have little now in common with the days of antiquity. Babylon and Nineveh are not. But Palestine still remains about the same as a literal explanation of the Bible.

Study the books. Learn the number and the names of their authors. “Doctor,” said a convalescent, “I’m no judge of books—don’t often read one; but I’m reading one now that seems to me a very fine book. I haven’t noticed yet who wrote it, and I don’t know how you’d pronounce its title, but it’s something like I-van-hoe.” “My friend,” said the physician, “I’d give large gold to be in your place long enough to be reading that book for the first time and not knowing who wrote it.” In the Old Testament there are 39 books. In the New Testament 27. The first five are laws and political economy, the next twelve history, the rest poetry and prophecy. The first four of the New Testament are biography and gospel; Acts is history; the Epistles theology and philosophy, and Revelation is a drama written by John on the Isle of Patmos.

Study a whole book asking such questions, “Who wrote it? Where was it written? In what age? What lessons does it teach?” By seeking an answer to these questions one cannot fail to gain valuable information in biography, geography, and manners. Study the teachings of the New Testament. Its numerous commands will prompt action, its invitations inspire confidence, its promises impart comfort and its doctrines establish one in faith. In a word, study the Scriptures methodically.

WHY STUDY THE BIBLE?

The question why study the Bible is of as great importance as how. It is historically worth studying. Without it history is incomplete. It is the only book that spans four thousand years, revealing the origin of the universe and man. It is personally worth studying. “In its pages every conceivable condition of human experience is reflected as in a mirror. It puts music into the speech of the tuneless one, and rounds the periods of the unlettered into an eloquence which no orator can rival. It has martial odes to brace the warrior’s courage and gainful proverbs to teach the merchant wisdom. It can translate the doubt of the perplexed, articulate the cry of the contrite, and fill the tongue of the joyous with carols of thankful gladness.” Because of its blaze of eloquence and light of truth Burke read it, while Daniel Webster turned to it for its rhetoric and poetry.

It is this book, my boy, which is needed as a guide in the practical duties of life, and which makes us “Wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:15). In fact, it is the only book which presents Christ. In the Old Testament He is seen in prophecy and symbol, in the New in history. In the Old, He is brought to our hearts in glorious promises; in the New, He comes to us as a living person. He is “all and in all” (Col. 3:3), insuring peace in this life, comforting in death and extending happiness beyond the grave.

“IS ALL THIS TRUE?”

In the northern part of England lived a pious widow with her seven daughters and one son. The latter proved ungrateful for her care and became her scourge and cross. He loved worldly company and pursued a wayward course till becoming impoverished it was necessary for him to go to sea. When his mother took leave of him she gave him a New Testament, inscribed with his name and her own and solemnly and tenderly entreated him to keep the book and read it for her sake. Years passed without tidings of his whereabouts. Occasionally when visiting the metropolis she would inquire for the ship in which her son had sailed, but without satisfaction. On one occasion she accidentally met a sea captain, who informed her that the vessel had been wrecked, and that Charles, whom he knew well, had gone as all like him should go, to the bottom of the sea. Pierced to the soul, the unhappy mother withdrew and resolved in future to live in strict retirement. “I shall go down to the grave,” she said, “mourning for my son.” (Gen. 37:35). She moved to a seaport. After the lapse of years a destitute sailor seeking relief knocked at the door. She heard his tale. He had several times been wrecked, but he had never been so dreadfully destitute as he was some years back, when he and a fine young gentleman were the only individuals of a whole ship’s crew that were saved. “We were cast upon a desert island, where, after seven days and nights, I closed his eyes. Poor fellow, I shall never forget it. He read day and night in a little book, which he said his mother gave him, and which was the only thing he saved. It was his companion every moment. He talked of nothing but this book and his mother, and at last he gave it to me, with many thanks for my poor services. ‘There, Jack,’ said he, ‘take this book, keep and read it, and may God bless you, it’s all I’ve got,’ and then he clasped my hand and died in peace.”

“Is all this true?” asked the trembling, astonished mother. “Yes, madam, every word of it.” Then, drawing from his ragged coat a little book, much battered and time-worn, he held it up, exclaiming, “and here it is.” She seized the Testament, recognized her own handwriting and beheld the name of her son coupled with her own on the cover. She gazed, read, wept and rejoiced. She seemed to hear a voice which said, “Behold, thy son liveth!” (John 4:50). Amidst her conflicting emotions, she was ready to exclaim: “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.” (Luke 2:29, 30).

If my boy, a book helps one to die, it must be an excellent book by which to live. Make it your constant companion and study, looking for its precepts as well as promises, and determine to live up to every duty as you shall discover it. On the day of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, a boy, skilled in athletic feats, was dressed as an angel, with wings on his shoulders and feet, and on the approach of the royal coach, he descended as if from heaven, from the top of Temple Bar, bearing an elegant Bible, expressly made for the Queen. As he descended, the crowd exclaimed: “The Bible Bearer!” Blessed the boy who accepts God’s call to be a “Bible Bearer.” Said David, “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.” (Ps. 119:11).

“Here the tree of knowledge grows, And yields a free repast; Here purer sweets than nature knows, Invite the longing taste.”