Mind, Character, and Personality Vol. 2 - Second Advent Revival

dimensions of the things with which it becomes familiar. The mental powers will surely
become contracted and will lose their ability to grasp the deep meanings of the Word of
God unless they are put vigorously and persistently to the task of searching for
truth.--RH, July 17, 1888. (FE 127). {2MCP 417.5}
Mind Adapts to That Upon Which It Dwells.--It is a law of the mind that it gradually
adapts itself to the subjects upon which it is trained to dwell. If occupied with
commonplace matters only, it will become dwarfed and enfeebled. If never required to
grapple with difficult problems, it will after a time almost lose the power of growth.
{2MCP 418.1}
As an educating power, the Bible is without a rival. In the Word of God the mind
finds subject for the deepest thought, the loftiest aspiration. The Bible is the most
instructive history that men possess. It came fresh from the fountain of eternal truth,
and a divine hand has preserved its purity through all the ages.... {2MCP 418.2}
Here the great problems of duty and destiny are unfolded. The curtain that
separates the visible from the invisible world is lifted, and we behold the conflict of the
opposing forces of good and evil, from the first entrance of sin to the final triumph of
righteousness and truth; and all is but a revelation of the character of God. In the
reverent contemplation of the truths presented in His Word, the mind of the student is
brought into communion with the infinite mind. Such a study will not only refine and
ennoble the character, but it cannot fail to expand and invigorate the mental
powers.--PP 596-599 (1890). {2MCP 418.3}
By Beholding We Become Changed.--It is a law both of the intellectual and the
spiritual nature that by beholding we become changed. The mind gradually adapts itself
to the subjects upon which it is allowed to dwell. It becomes assimilated to that which it
is accustomed to love and reverence. Man will never rise higher than his standard of
purity or goodness or truth. If self is his
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loftiest ideal, he will never attain to anything more exalted. Rather, he will constantly
sink lower and lower. The grace of God alone has power to exalt man. Left to himself,
his course must inevitably be downward.-- GC 555 (1888). {2MCP 418.4}
The Law of Substitute Desire.--Great harm is done by a lack of firmness and
decision. I have known parents to say, You cannot have this or that, and then relent,
thinking that they may be too strict, and give the child the very thing they at first refused.
A lifelong injury is thus inflicted. It is an important law of the mind--one which should not
be overlooked--that when a desired object is so firmly denied as to remove all hope, the
mind will soon cease to long for it and will be occupied in other pursuits. But as long as
there is any hope of gaining the desired object, an effort will be made to obtain it.--ST,
Feb 9, 1882. (CG 283, 284.) {2MCP 419.1}
Convictions Seek Expression.--It is a law of God that whoever believes the truth