True Education Uplifting by L. W. FELTER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 2, 1908

True Education Uplifting

By L. W. FELTER

We often speak of “educated people,” which is, perhaps, correct enough, as we mean it; but, in fact, and in a broad sense, there are none who are entirely uneducated. Education consists of what is learned, and, from the day we first see the light, we are learning. But it is to be lamented that the knowledge acquired too often consists of the wisdom of this world, and much of it only degrades the learner, making him worse off by its possession.

Another term for education, and perhaps a better one, would be character building; and true teachers are workmen engaged in building characters that are destined to shine as the stars forever and ever. We read in “Christ’s Object Lessons,” page 332, that “a character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next.” Such a character can be formed only by leading the mind to grasp the great truths of eternal things; and just here comes in the importance of Bible study. On page 37 of “Christian Education” is this statement: “No other study will so ennoble every thought, feeling, and aspiration as the study of the Scriptures.”

The great work of the Master Teacher was to train the mind to drink in life-giving, character-building truths from the great fountain of knowledge, and all the under teachers may engage in the same all-important work. “In all his teaching Christ brought the mind of man in contact with the Infinite mind. . . . He taught them to behold him as manifested in his works, in his Word, and by his providences.”—“Christ’s Object Lessons,” page 25.

What unlimited resources are at the command of the humble, God-fearing teacher by which the mind can be led to feed upon the thoughts of Him who is infinite in wisdom! It is said of the astronomer Kepler that while gazing at the heavens through a telescope, he became so enraptured that he exclaimed, “My God, I think thy thoughts after thee!” And so it is. When we study the works of God, from the construction of the tiniest flower, to the balancing of the heavenly bodies in their orbits, we are brought in contact with the Infinite mind. It is a very comforting and reassuring thought that we can read the thoughts of God in the things of nature as well as in his Word, and thus come to know him, whom to know aright is life everlasting.

The awakening of the young people among us is a hopeful omen, and the Spirit of the Lord is sending the children and youth to the schools to be “polished after the similitude of a palace,” by faithful teachers who have a keen appreciation of their responsibility.

L. W. FELTER.