The Holy Scriptures.

THOSE of you, dear children, who have been brought up to the perusal of the Holy Scriptures, know something about Timothy, that godly and devoted young man whom the apostle Paul loved so much, and who so greatly assisted him in his service to the Lord Jesus Christ. Timothy was of a gentle and humble spirit, full of love to the Lord and of service to his saints; and a blessed example for any young Christian to set before him, and to follow, even as he followed Christ. We learn from the 2nd Epistle of Paul to him (1:5) that he was blessed with great advantages from his birth; for he had both a grandmother and mother who had “unfeigned faith,” that is, real true-hearted confidence in God. So that we are sure that he was constantly remembered in their prayers, and that as soon as it was possible, some of the sweet and simple words of the truth of God were sought to be instilled into his mind, as the means of instructing him, through the teaching of the Spirit of God, in the way of salvation. He was thus brought up from his infancy in “the nurture and admonition; of the Lord,” and was early instructed in the Scriptures; for we read of him, “that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures.” What a privilege you have too, dear children, in these days, when there are so many opportunities of knowing the Scriptures; many of you having dear parents and friends who are continually seeking to instruct you in them; many of you being also sent to Sunday Schools, where teachers diligently labor to lead you into the way of truth; and some of you attending day schools kept by those who care for your souls, as well as for your minds and bodies. Oh, then, while you are young and possess such advantages, may you seek to profit by the instruction of your kind friends and teachers, and above all things may you read and learn “the holy Scriptures,” which are able to make you (as they did Timothy) “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
But do not suppose that it is merely necessary for you to obtain a knowledge of the words of Scripture; for if you could repeat by heart the whole of the Bible from beginning to end, and had not “faith which is in Christ Jesus,” you would still not be “wise unto salvation.” He that has faith not only learns but believes what God says, and puts his trust in him. Now God tells us that “all we have sinned,” the young as well as the old; that “there is none righteous, no, not one,” not even a little child but that “whosoever,” be he young or old, “shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Jesus, the holy and the just One, has died for us, the unholy and the unjust, and shed his precious blood on the cross, in order that sin might be put away, and that sinners who believe in his name might be saved, and blessed in him forever. Have you, then (I ask each young reader), believed on Jesus Christ to the saving of your soul, and thus become “wise unto salvation”? If you have, you have eternal life, and shall never perish, for none is able to pluck you out of the Father’s hand, who is greater than all. (John 10:28,2928And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:28‑29).) But if, instead of being a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are still, though a child, at enmity against God, oh! do not, I pray you, trust in your knowledge of the words of Scripture, but seek to know HIM, even Jesus, of whom the whole volume of Scripture testifies, and whom to know is life everlasting.
We all know that after a little babe is born into the world, it requires a great deal to be done for it before it becomes a man; and so it is with a new-born child of God. He wants food, and God has given the pure “milk of the Word” for the nourishment of the soul, and that he “may grow thereby.” (1 Peter 2:22As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1 Peter 2:2).) He also wants instruction in the truth and ways of God, and therefore “all Scripture” is given, that, being taught therein by “the Spirit of Truth,” he may have “the Word of Christ” dwelling in him richly, and thus be “thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” We do not know what our blessed portion is in Christ, unless we are taught in the Scriptures of truth; nor do we know what is pleasing to God, nor what wonderful events are coming to pass, except as the mind of the Lord is made known to us through his Word. We see, then, how important it is for the Christian to search the Scriptures, and search in them continually. And how suitable has God made them for us; and how many beautiful and instructive histories, narratives, and parables has he caused to be written for our learning. I therefore hope that all young Christian readers of the “Good News” will read in the Scriptures daily, for their present blessing and guidance in the ways of the Lord; and if it should please him, as they grow older, to make use of them as his servants, to preach the Gospel, or to lead others more perfectly into the way of truth, they will find how happy and useful it will be to have obtained, like Timothy, a knowledge of “ALL SCRIPTURE,” which “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.”
T.