Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1877 — Rich in the Bible. [ARTICLE]

Rich in the Bible.

Some may a?k, " How can I become Bible rich ?” In reply, I can give you, of course, onlv the most general directions. First, I would say to every young convert, and indeed to every reader without exception, identify yourself at once with the Sundav-School, join some class, and begin immediately the study of the International Lessons. This will give you a definite portion of Scripture to study, save your time, and keep you from rambling at will through the Word. If you begin such study every Sabbath, look out the marginal references, carefully examine the chapters between the lessons, make your reading every day Bear upon your Sunday topic, you will find a conscious growth. Continue this course steadily, and you will acquire a most valuable acquaintance. with the Scriptures. These lessons are Intended to take a general survey of the whole Bible in seven years. To do your work well, you need Bible helps; just the best your circumstances will allow. Even if vour means are quite limited, be resolved to have good Bible helps, and you will succeed. Many young men OT young ladies think they cannot afford a good Bible, concordance, or dictionary, and yet they wear on their persons jewelry which cost more than any or all of these. If you really desire Bible wealth, count good helps as neceuariet of life, to be as carefully provided as flour or fuel. Those who nave time will do well to select some particular book, as a gospel or epistle, and give it a thorough study. One book .well read throws great light on the whoJelßible. In this case select such a book" as is adapted tQ your age, circumstances and Christian progress. Consult your pastor. Another excellent method is to study the Scriptures topically. . . . You will gain much it you study particular graces, examining all the passages in which they are mentioned, and in which examples of them are recorded. Do this in respect to those graces in which yt>u feel yourself specially deficient. Are you impatient, easily discouraged ? Is it hard to deny yourself, to obey, to love others, to be forgiving? Do you want to grow m your relations as husband, wife, parent or child? to abound in hope or Christian joy? to have power in prayer? Examine each of these topics, and strengthen yourself by its stuuy; it will ieave~a lasting impression on your soul. In short, be thoroughly in earnest to become Bible-rich, and you will soon find what, for you, is the best plan of study. Never forget that the Word of Christ is designed to nourish and purify the spiritual life. Come to it with the same design. Mere intellectual study will not find its richest treasures. Even Sophocles, a heathen poet, has said: “ A heart of mildneae, full of good intent, Far soon than acuteness, will the truth hold."To aid this spiritual study, form the habit of at once turning into prayer what you read. This will enable you both to reach tnl hidden riches of the Word, and also add interest and freshness to prayer, for the want of which it often becomes dull and formal. Form the habit of committing Scriptures to memory, especially the devotional parts. In the days of sorrow, of declining years, and of death, you will esteem them more precious than gold. It was a most instructive aspect of that hour in which Arnold, of Rugby, passed from abounding health to the silence of death, that he repeated with such calm earnestness his favorite passages of Scripture. Mrs. Augustus Hare, one of the most intelligent and love)j Christians of modern times, was carried by slow and painful stages from Rome to England, that she might die at home. She wrote: “Yes, I know the Psalms. Many a time it keeps me quiet for hours to know and repeat them. I should never have got through my journey, if I had not had so many to repeat, to still my impatience." Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.—Rev. Wwi. Jf. Haigh. in Standard.