reverence； to whose authority they had been accustomed implicitly to bow。
〃How is it；〃 they asked； 〃that our rulers and learned scribes do not believe
on Jesus？ Would not these pious men receive Him if He were
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the Christ？〃 It was the influence of such teachers that led the Jewish
nation to reject their Redeemer。
The spirit which actuated those priests and rulers is still manifested by
many who make a high profession of piety。 They refuse to examine the
testimony of the Scriptures concerning the special truths for this time。
They point to their own numbers； wealth； and popularity； and look with
contempt upon the advocates of truth as few； poor； and unpopular； having a
faith that separates them from the world。
Christ foresaw that the undue assumption of authority indulged by the
scribes and Pharisees would not cease with the dispersion of the Jews。 He
had a prophetic view of the work of exalting human authority to rule the
conscience； which has been so terrible a curse to the church in all ages。
And His fearful denunciations of the scribes and Pharisees； and His warnings
to the people not to follow these blind leaders； were placed on record as an
admonition to future generations。
The Roman Church reserves to the clergy the right to interpret the
Scriptures。 On the ground that ecclesiastics alone are competent to explain
God's word； it is withheld from the common people。＇* SEE APPENDIX NOTE FOR
PAGE 340。＇ Though the Reformation gave the Scriptures to all； yet the
selfsame principle which was maintained by Rome prevents multitudes in
Protestant churches from searching the Bible for themselves。 They are taught
to accept its teachings as interpreted by the church； and there are
thousands who dare receive nothing； however plainly revealed in Scripture；
that is contrary to their creed or the established teaching of their church。
Notwithstanding the Bible is full of warnings against false teachers； many
are ready thus to commit the keeping of their souls to the clergy。 There are
today thousands of professors of religion who can give no other reason for
points of faith which they hold than that they were so instructed by their
religious leaders。 They pass by the Saviour's teachings almost
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unnoticed； and place implicit confidence in the words of the ministers。 But
are ministers infallible？ How can we trust our souls to their guidance
unless we know from God's word that they are light bearers？ A lack of moral
courage to step aside from the beaten track of the world leads many to
follow in the steps of learned men； and by their reluctance to investigate
for themselves； they are becoming hopelessly fastened in the chains of
error。 They see that the truth for this time is plainly brought to view in
the Bible； and they feel the power of the Holy Spirit attending its
proclamation； yet they allow the opposition of the clergy to turn them from
the light。 Though reason and conscience are convinced； these deluded souls
dare not think differently from the minister； and their individual judgment；
their eternal interests； are sacrificed to the unbelief； the pride and
prejudice； of another。
Many are the ways by which Satan works through human influence to bind his
captives。 He secures multitudes to himself by attaching them by the silken
cords of affection to those who are enemies of the cross of Christ。 Whatever
this attachment may be； parental； filial； conjugal； or social； the effect is
the same； the opposers of truth exert their power to control the conscience；
and the souls held under their sway have not sufficient courage or
independence to obey their own convictions of duty。
The truth and the glory of God are inseparable； it is impossible for us；
with the Bible within our reach； to honor God by erroneous opinions。 Many
claim that it matters not what one believes； if his life is only right。 But
the life is molded by the faith。 If light and truth is within our reach； and
we neglect to improve the privilege of hearing and seeing it； we virtually
reject it； we are choosing darkness rather than light。
〃There is a way that seemeth right unto a man； but the end thereof are the
ways of death。〃 Proverbs 16：25。 Ignorance is no excuse for error or sin；
when there is every opportunity
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to know the will of God。 A man is traveling and comes to a place where there
are several roads and a guideboard indicating where each one leads。 If he
disregards the guideboard； and takes whichever road seems to him to be
right； he may be ever so sincere； but will in all probability find himself
on the wrong road。
God has given us His word that we may become acquainted with its teachings
and know for ourselves what He requires of us。 When the lawyer came to Jesus
with the inquiry； 〃What shall I do to inherit eternal life？〃 the Saviour
referred him to the Scriptures； saying： 〃What is written in the law？ how
readest thou？〃 Ignorance will not excuse young or old； nor release them from
the punishment due for the transgression of God's law； because there is in
their hands a faithful presentation of that law and of its principles and
claims。 It is not enough to have good intentions； it is not enough to do
what a man thinks is right or what the minister tells him is right。 His
soul's salvation is at stake； and he should search the Scriptures for
himself。 However strong may be his convictions； however confident he may be
that the minister knows what is truth； this is not his foundation。 He has a
chart pointing out every waymark on the heavenward journey； and he ought not
to guess at anything。
It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the
Scriptures what is truth； and then to walk in the light and encourage others
to follow his example。 We should day by day study the Bible diligently；
weighing every thought and comparing scripture with scripture。 With divine
help we are to form our opinions for ourselves as we are to answer for
ourselves before God。
The truths most plainly revealed in the Bible have been involved in doubt
and darkness by learned men； who； with a pretense of great wisdom； teach
that the Scriptures have a mystical； a secret； spiritual meaning not
apparent in the language employed。 These men are false teachers。 It was to
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such a class that Jesus declared： 〃Ye know not the Scriptures； neither the
power of God。〃 Mark 12：24。 The language of the Bible should be explained
according to its obvious meaning； unless a symbol or figure is employed。
Christ has given the promise： 〃If any man will do His will； he shall know of
the doctrine。〃 John 7：17。 If men would but take the Bible as it reads； if
there were no false teachers to mislead and confuse their minds； a work
would be accomplished that would make angels glad and that would bring into
the fold of Christ thousands upon thousands who are now wandering in error。
We should exert all the powers of the mind in the study of the Scriptures
and should task the understanding to comprehend； as far as mortals can； the
deep things of God； yet we must not forget that the docility and submission
of a child is the true spirit of the learner。 Scriptural difficulties can
never be mastered by the same methods that are employed in grappling with
philosophical problems。 We should not engage in the study of the Bible with
that self…reliance with which so many enter the domains of science； but with
a prayerful dependence upon God and a sincere desire to learn His will。 We
must come with a humble and teachable spirit to obtain knowledge from the
great I AM。 Otherwise； evil angels will so blind our minds and harden our
hearts that we shall not be impressed by the truth。
Many a portion of Scripture which learned men pronounce a mystery； or pass
over as unimportant； is full of comfort and instruction to him who has been
taught in the school of Christ。 One reason why many theologians have no
clearer understanding of God's word is； they close their eyes to truths
which they do not wish to practice。 As understanding of Bible truth depends
not so much on the power of intellect brought to the search as on the
singleness of purpose； the earnest longing after righteousness。
The Bible should never be studied without prayer。 The Holy Spirit alone can
cause us to feel the importance of those
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things easy to be understood； or prevent us from wresting truths difficult
of comprehension。 It is the office of heavenly angels to prepare the heart
so to comprehend God's word that we shall be charmed with its beauty；
admonished by its warnings； or animated and strengthened by its promises。 We
should make the psalmist's petition our own： 〃Open Thou mine eyes； that I
may behold wondrous things out of Thy law。〃 Psalm 119：18。 Temptations often
appear irresistible because； through neglect of prayer and the study of the
Bible； the tempted one cannot readily remember God's promises and meet Satan
with the Scripture weapons。 But angels are round about those who are willing
to be taught in divine things； and in the time of great nec