nothing shall be permitted to interfere with. We should read often, and continuously, and diligently, with a patience which no difficulties can weary, and with a perseverance which will be satisfied with nothing short of a comprehensive knowledge of the whole revealed will of God.

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If do not read in this manner, you cannot become familiar with the numerous historical facts that throw light upon the character of God and the condition of men. You will not retain in the memory the important doctrines which are revealed as the foundation of human hope. You will not see the true relation between the different parts of this sublime system of grace. You will not find those precious pearls which lie in the deep ocean of truth. You will never be in a condition to explain or modify one part of the Bible by allusions contained in other places, nor be able to perceive the wonderful harmony that exists between the word and the works of God.

It is one of the most obvious and ominous characteristics of the religious world at the

present day, that men are impatient of profound and continued thought, of systematic and thorough investigation, of laborious searching after Divine knowledge, and too easily satisfied with an infrequent and superficial glance at the mysteries of redemption. Even after men have tasted. the good word of God, and felt the power of the world to come, there is a continual tendency to relax their efforts, to free themselves from the wearisome duty of study, to waste their time in easy and profitless reading, to make religion a pastime rather than the work of life, and to take all their knowledge of Christian doctrine at second hand. With such habits nothing but erroneous, or at best the most superficial and feeble views of truth can be expected; and instead of being rooted and built up in Christ, and established in the faith, we shall ever be children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Eph. 4: 14.

SECTION VII.

EARNEST DESIRE TO KNOW THE TRUTH.

We should read the Bible with a sincere and earnest desire to understand the revelation which is there made to us, so far at least, as is essential to our salvation, and the safe instruction of all whose spiritual illumination we are bound to seek.

A deep desire to obtain clear and adequate views, and to make sure and rapid progress in useful knowledge, is universally regarded as essential to eminence in any science, and he who reads or hears with a listless and careless mind, is always expected to be ever learning, without arriving at any satisfactory knowledge of the truth that he needs.

This is especially true in relation to religious studies. The Bible is sent into the world, not to amuse an idle hour, or to furnish subjects for vain speculation or fruitless debate, but as a revelation of Divine grace to perishing sinners. It brings light

for the intellect, and spiritual life for the soul. It speaks to us of another world, and solves the questions which most perplex and embarrass the human mind. Surely, to desire that we may understand the subjects thus miraculously spread before us,that we may receive the celestial benefits so freely offered,-that we may realize the benevolent design of this revelation,—is most reasonable and necessary.

This state of mind has characterized all the eminent servants of God in all ages. See how vehemently David descried the light of Divine truth. "My soul breaketh

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for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times." Ps. 119: 20. the heart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." Ps. 42: 1. Let us feed our souls, says a Father of the Church, by the study of the Divine writings; let us satisfy our hunger and quench our thirst, by the heavenly meat and drink which they afford. "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled."

Math. 5: 6. A deep desire to understand and feel the converting force of truth, is therefore, one of the best interpreters of the word. Difficulties will vanish, obscure places will become plain, doubts will melt away, temptations will be baffled, and the word will become quick and powerful under the influence of this all engrossing passion. The experience of all who have made great attainments in Divine knowledge, proves and illustrates this.

But when we read, as probably by far the greater number do, with wandering minds, with languid feelings, with no definite aim or object, we shall experience none of the peculiar effects of the written word. It will be to us nothing more than a common book. We shall gather up, perhaps, a few fragments that lie upon the surface, and be enabled to talk fluently of some events recorded as it were in letters of fire, but we shall not comprehend the great design of the Bible; we shall have obscure views of the means which God employs to save sinners; the peculiar excellence and