God's
Word a Treasure House
By
Ellen G. White
The
Bible is of the highest value because it is the word of the
living God. Of all the books in the world it is the most deserving
of study and attention, for it is eternal wisdom. The Bible
is a history that tells us of the creation of the world and
opens to us past centuries. Without it we should have been
left to conjecture and fable in regard to the occurrences
of the remote past. It reveals to us the Creator of the heavens
and the earth, with the universe that He has brought into
being, and it sheds a glorious light over the world to come.
The
Bible is a field where are concealed heavenly treasures, and
they will remain hidden until, by diligent mining, they are
discovered and brought to light. The Bible is a casket containing
jewels of inestimable value, which should be so presented
as to be seen in their intrinsic luster. But the beauty and
excellence of these diamonds of truth are not discerned by
the natural eye. The lovely things of the material world are
not seen until the sun, dispelling the darkness, floods them
with its light. And so with the treasures of God's word; they
are not appreciated until they are revealed by the Sun of
Righteousness.
The
Bible contains a simple and complete system of theology and
philosophy. It is the book that makes us wise unto salvation.
It tells us of the love of God as shown in the plan of redemption,
imparting the knowledge essential for all students--the knowledge
of Christ. . . .
God
has not only revealed to us the doctrine of the atonement,
holding out the hope of eternal life, but His words are the
manna from heaven for the soul to feed upon and receive spiritual
strength. The Bible is the great standard of right and wrong,
clearly defining sin and holiness. Its living principles,
running through our lives like threads of gold, are our only
safeguard in trial and temptation.
The
Holy Scriptures were the essential study in the schools of
the prophets, and they should hold the first place in every
educational system, for the foundation of all right education
is a knowledge of God. Used as a textbook in our schools,
the Bible will do for mind and morals what cannot be done
by books of science and philosophy. As a book to discipline
and strengthen the intellect, to ennoble, purify, and refine
the character, it is without a rival.
God
cares for us as intelligent beings, and He has given us His
word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Its teachings
have a vital bearing upon our prosperity in all the relations
of life. Even in our temporal affairs it will be a wiser guide
than any other counselor. Its divine instruction points the
only way to true success. There is no social position, no
phase of human experience, for which the study of the Bible
is not an essential preparation.
Written
May 16, 1896 and published in Counsels to Parents, Teachers,
and Students, pp. 421, 422.