Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)

Ms 4, 1880

The Bible and the School

1880

Portions of this manuscript are published in FLB 20, 222.

It is only when we are conversant with our Bibles and have a clear conception of God that nature is appreciated and capable of kindling in our souls the highest emotions of moral grandeur. Those who love and adore God can sense the charms of nature. They see God through His created works. Nature speaks of His glory. 3LtMs, Ms 4, 1880, par. 1

The Bible, the Book of all books, is the least appreciated, the least studied. This book trains the mind to grapple with the deepest problems and to pursue the broadest explorations. It exalts the intellect; it saves the soul. 3LtMs, Ms 4, 1880, par. 2

What can I say to you, my brethren and sisters, to awaken in you an interest to become Bible readers and Bible doers? What can I say to you that will arouse your moral sensibilities to take this precious volume and make the most of it in your families and in your college? The case of every one is met. It is because you fail to make it your daily practice and guide that you follow your own plans and appreciate your own imaginings. Take it as your mirror. It will be a faithful monitor, detecting the faults and errors of your character. It will strengthen every good trait. 3LtMs, Ms 4, 1880, par. 3

Youth, in the name of Jesus I appeal to you whom I shall soon meet around the throne of God, Study your Bible. It will prove to you [to be] not only the pillar of cloud by day, but the pillar of fire by night. It opens before you a path leading up and still upward, bidding you go forward. The Bible—you do not know its worth! It is a book for the mind, for the heart, for the conscience, the will, and the life. It is the message of God to you, in such simple style that it meets the comprehension of a little child. 3LtMs, Ms 4, 1880, par. 4

The Bible—precious Book! It is out of fashion to read it, to study it, to make it the principal study in schools. For this reason God has directed that a school shall be established where the Bible shall be held sacred, its teachings elevated above the teachings of men. The Bible, rightly interpreted, should be the chief study. Time is short, and we want to know how to live so as to be prepared for the future. Great events are before us. The Bible tells what they are. 3LtMs, Ms 4, 1880, par. 5

We read of how a deist, who had labored publicly to disprove Christianity and to bring the Scriptures into contempt as a forgery, was one day found instructing his child from the pages of the New Testament. When challenged with his inconsistency, his only reply was that it was necessary to teach the child morality and that nowhere was there to be found such morality as in the Bible. “Were there no Bible, there would be no source of instructions in duties and virtues.” 3LtMs, Ms 4, 1880, par. 6

Bring the Bible into your families; make it your textbook. With your children around you, read it, explain it, teach them to be interested in it. 3LtMs, Ms 4, 1880, par. 7

What we believe is of great consequence with us. The pursuit of knowledge and science is the pursuit of truth. All truth comes from God. Religion is what the students need before they are educated. What we want in our college in this degenerate age is that the students shall be connected with God and in union with Jesus Christ. Then they will see and understand that God has ordained that perfect union should exist between science and Bible religion. 3LtMs, Ms 4, 1880, par. 8

We want practical piety. There must be the converting power of God upon the hearts of the teachers. The very best talent should be employed, those who love to search the Scriptures and who obey their teachings. Less worldly knowledge of customs and practices and greater knowledge of Christ, His life, His character, and His spirit, would make the school what God designed it should be. 3LtMs, Ms 4, 1880, par. 9