Reading is also of great importance.  By this we call in the aid of others’ minds, with the experience of past ages.  But, unless you observe some system in your reading, you will derive comparatively little benefit from it.  I will endeavor to mark out a simple plan, which you may find useful.  For this purpose I shall arrange the various kinds of reading, under four different heads, to each of which you may assign particular days of the week.

1. History, two days; 2. Biography, one day; 3. Doctrinal, one day; 4. Miscellaneous, two days.

The advantages of this plan are, that the knowledge you acquire will be more complete than it would be if you were to pursue but one subject at a time; and the variety will add interest to the employment.  But each of these different kinds of reading requires a separate notice.

(1.) History is divided into two kinds, sacred and profane.  It is for this reason that I have assigned two days in the week for the reading of it.  I would have one of these days devoted to the history of the church, and the other to the history of the world.  Both these are highly necessary to every one who desires an enlarged view of the affairs of the world, and the dealings of God with mankind in general, and with his church in particular.  In reading profane history, several things are to be kept distinctly in view.

1. The providence of God in directing the affairs of men. Observe the hand of God in everything; for he controls the actions even of wicked men, to accomplish his own purposes.  The Bible is full of this great truth.  Scarcely a page can be found where it is not recognized.  “The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.”  He calls the king of Assyria the “rod of his anger,” for chastising the hypocritical Jews; but adds, “Howbeit, he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.”  And, in a subsequent verse, he says, when he has performed his whole work, by this wicked king, he will punish his stout heart, and the glory of his high looks.  But it is not in great matters alone, that the hand of the Lord is to be seen.  He exercises a particular providence over the least as well as the greatest of his works.  Even a single sparrow, says our Lord, shall not fall to the ground without our heavenly Father.  And this is one of the brightest glories of the divine character.  He who fills immensity with his presence, condescends to care for the minutest beings in the universe.

2. Observe the connection of the events recorded in history, with the fulfilment of prophecy. I do not, however, suppose you will be able to see this very clearly, without reading some authors who have made the prophecies their particular study.  And this you will not be prepared to do with much profit, till you have the leading events of history fixed in your mind.