SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES by Eliza H. Morton

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, January 6, 1885

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 1

“SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES.”

By Eliza H. Morton

The Bible is the one book that never loses its freshness and power. While presenting thoughts that the most ignorant can grasp and understand, it also shadows forth themes so lofty, so grand, and so incomprehensible, that the strongest minds find food, and stand abashed before the wonderful mysteries of God.

It is the duty of every professed Christian to seek to know the will of the Master as revealed on the sacred page. God never designed that ministers alone should understand the Scriptures. The word is to the world; and the most humble, unlearned student, directed by the Spirit, may see his Bible illuminated with rays of divine light. As we near the close of time we find that the honest in heart feel impelled to study the prophecies. The prayer, “Lord, show me the truth,” is being offered by many a soul, and God is answering that prayer, and earth’s closing message of mercy is being carried eastward and westward and northward and southward, and soon the whole earth will be lighted with its glory.

By careful, prayerful study of the Bible, we may hasten the work of God in the earth, secure valuable mental discipline, gain a depth of Christian experience, secure sweet daily blessings, and by following the teachings of the book divine, win many stars in our crowns of rejoicing. To those who thus “search the Scriptures” the Bible will prove to be—

“A fountain ever springing, Where the weary may repair, The heavy burdens bringing Of sin and of despair.

“A hive of honeyed treasures Distilled from Eden’s bowers, Where heaven-born hope with pleasure May feed in wintry hours.”

Portland, Me. ELIZA H. MORTON.