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True Education

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 3, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 36.

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True Education

By L. B. Ragsdale

“TRUE education means more than the perusal of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers.” If the student develops one of these powers to the neglect of the others, he is not living up to his privilege, nor will he grow up into the perfect man.
From the following statement we can see the importance of forming a good character while we are gaining our education. “True education does not ignore the value of scientific knowledge or literary acquirements; but above information it values power, above power goodness, above intellectual acquirements, character.”
We have many examples of noble characters who have surmounted the difficulties of to-day, and have reached their aim in life. There is encouragement for those who are self-distrustful, and whose lack of self-reliance leads them to shrink from care and responsibility. Let these rely fully upon God. Thus many a one who would otherwise be but a helpless burden will be able to say with the apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Success in any line demands a definite aim. He who would achieve true success in life must keep steadily in view an aim worthy of his endeavor. The heaven-appointed purpose of giving the gospel to the world in this generation is the noblest that can appeal to any human being. We need to follow more closely the example of our Saviour. When he worked in the carpenter shop with his father, he developed his physical powers; as he sat by his mother’s knee and learned the sacred truths of the Scriptures, his mental powers were developed; and his spiritual powers were developed by those seasons when he spent all night in prayer to his Heavenly Father. L. B. RAGSDALE.