All reading ought to be a means of grace. We should never read any book which will not leave in mind and heart some helpful, strengthening, or uplifting thought. This is not saying that we should never read any but distinctly religious books. All truth is enriching. History, if rightly read, inspires adoring feeling. Books of science help us to think over again God’s thoughts, and thus stimulate reverence. Poetry, if true and pure, is wondrously elevating even though it may not treat of spiritual themes. Good fiction may teach us noble lessons in conduct, sketch for us the loftiest things in character, and inspire in us, “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are lovely.” Even humour has its place as a means of grace. There are times when what a good man needs above all things is a hearty laugh. The man who writes truly witty things has a mission. Thus there is no good book of any order which may not have its place in helping us to grow in grace.
Yet there is a special class of books which may fitly be used as devotional helps. When we speak of devotions we usually refer to the “silent times” which every earnest Christian must get into his days, even the busiest of his days. Much is said of the necessity of secret prayer. Perhaps not enough is said of the necessity of devotional reading as part of the exercise of devotion. It is not enough to speak to God to tell him of our wants, our dangers, our sins, our troubles, and to plead with him for help, for favour, for comfort. We must also let God talk to us. We must feed our souls. No exercise is complete without the reading of some sentence or sentences which will start in the mind uplifting thoughts, give us a suggestion of a new lesson to be learned, show us a glimpse of spiritual beauty to be reached after, or speak to us a word that we may rest on in our weakness or take as rod and staff in the valley.
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