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 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 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
416