necessary
to keep us in the love of God. Of these especially important are reading
the Scripture, prayer, fasting, examination, meditation, etc.

Reading The Scripture.

"Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it." "I love thy
commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold." "The law of thy mouth is
better unto me than thousands of gold and silver." Psa. 119:140, 127, 72.
The Bible, to the Christian, is a richer treasure than gold. No other book
is read with such deep, amazing interest. The soul ravishingly feasts upon
the pure, simple truth. It is manna. It is life. "How sweet are thy words
unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth." Psa. 119:103. When
the soul gets to taste of the honeyed sweetness of God's Word it endears
it to God and the Bible so as to make death preferable to separation. "O
how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." Psa. 119:97. Exile
to Patmos would not be so lonely to the Christian did he but have his
Bible.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good
works." 2 Tim. 3:16, 17. The Word of God contains sufficient instructions
and corrections to properly develop the Christ-life in the soul, if it is
heeded. By looking into this perfect law of God and continuing in its
teaching one will imbibe its spirit, its life, its power, until his own
life will reveal the truly high and ennobling principles of the precious
volume from heaven. The true sentiment of the Bible will be so interwoven
into his very existence that his decorum will be so influenced by the
power of divine truth that all who read his life will but read God's Holy
Book.

The Bible tells us of heaven, the eternal, happy home of the righteous. It
tells us of sin and how it deprives the soul the privilege of entering
that bright mansion of everlasting rest. It tells of a Savior who saves
from sin, and fits and prepares man to receive from God's hands great
eternal rewards. It unfolds to us the beautiful character of God and
encourages our souls to imitate his perfect example. It speaks of our
Heavenly Father's loving providence, how that he is ever watching over us,
and guiding us with his eye; how that no harm shall ever befall us, and
when we pass through the rivers they shall not overflow us; when we walk
through the fire we shall