Morning Star

[Editorial.]

Of Reading the Scriptures.
What a perfect map would be to the traveller, what the chart and compass are to the mariner, the Scriptures are to the Christian. They are a perfect transcript of the Divine Will, illustrating and enforcing our duties to God and to one another. No human composition can be found that describes the excellencies of holy writ so beautifully as this from the Psalmist: The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple: the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned; and in keeping them there is great reward. St. Paul testifies the same thus: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God—that the christian may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good work. To every variety of life they afford just what is wanted, and what can be supplied from no other source. You may read, nay study them daily and constantly; for unlike human compositions, they contain a variety which prohibit satiety, and he that reads them oftenest will relish them best. To the Scriptures in general may be applied what Bishop Horne has beautifully remarked in reference to the book of Psalms: Indited under the influence of Him, to whom all hearts are known, and all events foreknown, they suit mankind in all situations, grateful as the manna which descended from above, and conformed itself to every palate. The fairest productions of human wit, after a few perusals, like gathered flowers, wither in our hands, and lose their fragrancy; but these unfading plants of Paradise become, as we are accustomed to them, still more and more beautiful; their bloom appears to be daily heightened; fresh odors are emitted, and new sweets extracted from them. Another writer with equal beauty thus: 'In this respect, the Scriptures will be found to resemble the garden of Eden, in which the Lord has made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for spiritual food. But no Cherubim or flaming sword are set to prohibit access to the Tree of Life. The children of the second Adam may freely, and without fear of interruption, now put forth their hands to its soul reviving fruit, and take, and eat, and live forever.' No reader surely should turn away from such a feast as the scriptures aspread out before him. The Bible has imperative claims on our attention; and lest it be neglected by reason of the mass of other reading and the demand of other duties, we should have definite times for reading the Scriptures. We hesitate not to say that
The Scriptures should be read daily.
Every day we are advancing towards the close of our pilgrimage; and as we proceed it becomes us constantly to compare our life with what the word of God requires, in order to make amendment and square our conduct by that unerring rule. Besides, if it be neglected one day, it may be another and another, until we get a total dislike for it. And who does not wish to learn more of himself, of the deceit of the human heart, of the world around him—more of the wiles of the adversary, and how he is to overcome all his spiritual antagonists—more of the glorious character and attributes of God, of the sufferings and intercession of Christ, of the ministration of the Holy Ghost? He may learn all these in the Divine Record. He should sit himself down to the perusal of it with alacrity, expecting to arise from the perusal his thoughts elevated, his whole soul feasted and refreshed, and his mind fully prepared by the grace of God to resist any temptation that may thwart his pilgrim path.
Particularly on the Sabbath. The sabbath brings to every man, the poor as well as the rich, cessation from worldly employments, and a consequent leisure to attend to the things that belong to his peace. The primitive christians not only held their public meetings, but kept the day holy unto the end of it. Irenaeus says, Unusquisque nostrum sabbatizat spiritualiter, meditatione legis gaudens, [each one keeps the sabbath day spiritually, rejoicing in the meditation of the law.] In addition to the law we have the gospels and inspired epistles. And how can we better keep the Sabbath holy acceptable unto God, than in reading and meditating upon his written word? Whoever may find an excuse for neglecting to read the Bible on other days can have none for this. Every christian and moralist should make it a point particularly on every sabbath to treasure up something new from God's word. In this way will our Sabbaths here be a foretaste of the eternal sabbath to be enjoyed by the ransomed hereafter.
In retirement. We are informed that Alexander the Great, in all his journeyings and expeditions, was accustomed to keep Homer's poems in a golden case under his pillow. His object was unquestionably to receive profit and enjoyment from that prince of heathen poets, whenever the wants of a numerous army would give him leisure and retirement. Shall then a christian be less eager to be profited and enlightened by perusal of the Scriptures, writings which every way incomparably excel the Iliad and Odyssey of a Grecian poet? Let it never be said. It is in retirement that the soul holds most intimate communion with God—it is here that meditation is sweetest—it is here that the Scriptures will be studied with greatest profit. The world shut out—a God the audience—a map of the heavenly land spread out before you—the soul feasts and gathers strength for all the exigences of our way thither, however it may lie mid the entanglements of an imposing world. Let the Bible be made our companion when we enter into our closets to pray to Him who seeth in secret. And it is no less desirable that the Scriptures be read
In family devotions. We have not unfrequently seen the devotions at the family altar unaccompanied by the reading of the Scriptures. This is not as it should be. If we revere God's word, let us teach our children to revere it too, by giving it its proper place. Besides, reading will often quicken a spirit of devotion, of prayer and thanksgiving. Suitable portions should always be read; and occasionally at least remarks should be made upon what is read, either to throw light upon some important truth of christianity, or to impress some fact desirable to be retained and designed to effect good. If any of our readers are habituated to neglect reading in family devotions, let them make the trial here suggested, and if they do not find an increased profit, then we shall think we have erred in our observation. It is supposed that generally this practice has obtained; it should be so universally. The duties of christian parents bear heavily on this point; their duty to the members of their family, to themselves, and to God, require that their family devotions be not performed in part, occasionally, or passed over slightly; but perfectly and heartily, as unto God. The devotion of the heathen to their household gods should not reflect upon the family devotions of Christians.
In prayer meetings. Here is a subject upon which we have long wished to say a word. Many of the prayer meetings among us are held meeting after meeting, and not a chapter ever read in them, or any portion of the word of God. This may seem a little strange to unaccustomed minds, but is nevertheless true. That we who professedly take the Bible as the man of our counsel should neglect to bear it with us to the house of prayer is manifestly not right. The Hindoos do not so neglect the Shaster, nor the Mohammedan the Koran. We think reading the Scriptures should as much make up a part of the prayer meeting, as singing; nay, the word of God should be read whether there be ever any singing or not; we mean, this should constitute a regular part of the prayer meeting. If there be no minister to conduct the meeting, some brother, or perhaps better, the brethren in turn should, in our opinion, go forward, and before or after prayer, read some select portion. This we think should obtain in all meetings of social worship. This course is in perfect consonance with all the views of our brethren in regard to the high value they place upon the scriptures; and where it has not heretofore obtained, it needs but a little reflection to be adopted.
In public worship. Reading the scriptures in public worship was treated upon in the Star some months since, and it is hoped that the article has had the effect which its author intended; but it is a fact that yet there are many of our preachers who do not read the scriptures in their public ministrations. When this departure from the ancient order commenced among us, we are unable to say; but think our brethren should begin to enquire for the "old paths." It is evident that the primitive christians observed this order. Our blessed Redeemer himself has set us an example; and it is written for our instruction. Moses was read in the synagogue every sabbath. Jesus himself read the Scriptures in the assemblies of Israel. Paul instructs that his epistles be read in the churches. Without controversy, we will say it is to us an interesting part of the services of the sanctuary. If there is any good reason why reading the Scriptures should be dispensed with in public worship, we would be happy to learn it. If there is none, we would be happy to see our brethren walking in this way also.
The Scriptures are not to be read and laid aside in that careless manner that we may sometimes be permitted to do with a newspaper or some unimportant book. They are to be read with meditation and prayer; in a humble and teachable spirit; never with a desire to build ourselves up in some particular way; but always with a desire to know the truth. We should regard them as the word of God, and remember that Jehovah speaks. To read the Scriptures in this way will always be to promote spirituality, and we shall not repent of reading them too much.