The word "research" is much in use today. There are committees and societies for research into all sorts of subjects. The results of some of these are of benefit in matters of health, industry, government, science, education, etc.; though where there is the erroneous modernistic basis, or other false premise, the results tend to further fallen man's unbelief of, and rebellion against God.

Very many persons are engaged in, and a great deal of time, labor and money is expended upon these various researches; in contrast with which, research on the part of Christians, into truth having reference to God, His Word and His Work, is comparatively scant. Praise God, indeed, for knowledge of truth already attained, but there "remains yet very much land to be possessed," and there are many problems inviting solution in connection with the Christian faith. A group of Christian students of one of the universities come together for Bible study, and have as their purpose, the scientific study of the Bible. That is the right attitude. Bible interpretation suffers from the methods of pseudo-science, but not from true scientific investigation.

The Lord Jesus Christ has set before His people "an opened door." This blessing is before us now, we may believe; more so than at any previous period in the history of the Church of Christ. And as each generation is heir to the knowledge and experience of preceding generations, how great is the privilege and responsibility of the present generation. The door which the Lord sets before us opens two ways, we may say-inward, for access into the treasury of truth; outward, for the proclamation of the "unsearchable riches." Are we sufficiently awake to our responsibility in these two directions? And while the side of the door opened for evangelization is not by any means being used as much as it might; yet perhaps it is more in use than the other side which opens into the inviting pastures of the truth. The consequence of such one-sidedness is that not only is there lack of fuller and clearer knowledge, but even our presentation of the gospel tends to suffer from lack of convincing power. There is universal harmony in the truth of God, and neglect of one side is bound to affect the other side. Notice how that, with the godly Man of Psalm One, fruitfulness is closely connected with the constant meditation in the law of the Lord-the Word of God.

Now serious research is no small task. We have need of one another in this good work. "Two are better than one, for they have a good reward of their labor." We must not allow the enemy to discourage, but be glad and eager at this happy occupation, for it will make God and Christ and the things that abide very real to us. Let us not hold back from doing our little bit. Even two or three working together will find great blessing. In fact, it will be found that small classes are better than large ones for such work. It will consist of purposive study, depending on the Holy Spirit, and using Concordances, Bible Dictionaries, Commentaries, and all available helps, while doing each our own thinking.

"Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given you," said Jehovah to Joshua. Let us put in our claim, each of us. See how many Scriptures exhort to search after wisdom, understanding, knowledge, truth! Read Proverbs 3:13-18. E. B. Craig