eator. The book of nature is a great lesson book, which in
connection with the Scriptures we are to use in teaching others of
His character, and guiding lost sheep back to the fold of God. As
the works of God are studied, the Holy Spirit flashes conviction into
the mind. It is not the conviction that logical reasoning produces;
but unless the mind has become too dark to know God, the eye too
dim to see Him, the ear too dull to hear His voice, a deeper meaning
is grasped, and the sublime, spiritual truths of the written word are
impressed on the heart.
In these lessons direct from nature, there is a simplicity and purity
that makes them of the highest value. All need the teaching to be
derived from this source. In itself the beauty of nature leads the soul
away from sin and worldly attractions, and toward purity, peace, and
God.
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Too often the minds of students are occupied with men’s theories and
speculations, falsely called science and philosophy. They need to be
brought into close contact with nature. Let them learn that creation
and Christianity have one God. Let them be taught to see the harmony
of the natural with the spiritual. Let everything which their eyes see
or their hands handle be made a lesson in character building. Thus
the mental powers will be strengthened, the character developed, the
whole life ennobled.
Christ’s purpose in parable teaching was in direct line with the
purpose of the Sabbath. God gave to men the memorial of His creative
power, that they might discern Him in the works of His hand. The
Sabbath bids us behold in His created works the glory of the Creator.
And
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it was because He desired us to do this that Jesus bound up His
precious lessons with the beauty of natural things. On the holy rest
day, above all other days, we should study the messages that God has
written for us in nature. We should study the Saviour’s parables where
He spoke them, in the fields and groves, under the open sky, among
the grass and flowers. As we come close to the heart of nature, Christ
makes His presence real to us, and speaks to our hearts of His peace
and love.
And Christ has linked His teaching, not only with the day of rest,
but with the week of toil. He has wisdom for him who drives the
plow and sows the seed. In the plowing and sowing, the tilling and
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reaping, He teaches us to see an illustration of His work of grace in
the heart. So in every line of useful labor and every association of
life, He desires us to find a lesson of divine truth. Then our daily toil
will no longer absorb our attention an