MENTAL IMPROVEMENT by Joseph Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 16, 1869

MENTAL IMPROVEMENT.

By Joseph Clarke

As a general thing, we think too little of the cultivation and improvement of the mind. A man has land, he improves it; money he has, he puts it out at interest; stock, he sees that it is always growing; but his mind he considers a servant, to be used in his own interest. His mind is employed, worked, burdened; or he does not perchance stop to think of the fact that his mind is capable of improvement.

Property, riches, honor, fame, may all take wings and fly away; but a well-stored, well-cultivated mind, will last, and will continue to shine when youth, beauty, and wealth have all passed away; and more than this, will not mental culture go with us when we enter the celestial world, if we are so happy as to attain to it?

Men toil, and strive, and tug, at the perpetual round of life's labor, and year in, and year out, they are slaves, though in a free country; they toil and sweat, and often even when they have attained a competence, they only know how to toil on and on, forgetting that they possess minds capable of endless improvement.

So common is this, that if it happens that one more thoughtful, leaves the common beaten track, and lives in simple style, that he may have time to think a little of the affairs of the mind, he is considered much behind in the race of life. He has no money at interest, no fine houses or farms to rent, but is content with a competence. Surely he must lack common sense, say the wise and prudent of this world.

But we do not think of censuring any one on this head; we only suggest that it is, as we believe, every one's duty to cultivate the mind daily, old as well as young. And speaking of this, we would inquire if premature old age is not sometimes caused by this very thing, too much physical labor, and too little real mental culture.

It is a well-known law of nature, that neglect of any physical or mental endowment, causes the decay of the neglected capacity. Thus the singer may neglect his vocal powers, and he soon loses his musical talent. The mechanic may lose his skill, by ceasing to practice his trade. And so of every kind of business. It is the constant practice of the same which makes the skillful workman.

Now it often happens that, when people become a little in years, they imagine they must grow old, lose sight, hearing, memory, and at the slightest notice they have of this, they imagine the time has come; and committing their affairs to others, they sit down in apathetic slumber of mind, become dull and torpid as to life's affairs, and suppose it is all chargeable to old age. We admit that old age brings decay; but not so soon as it often comes to the timid and despondent.

That the culture of the mind tends to lengthen life, and to strengthen the mental powers, is proved by the lengthened lives and usefulness of such men as have most consistently, judiciously, and continuously, improved the mind; and hundreds of such men are now living; which is, we think, fair evidence of the correctness of this position.

There are various ways of improving the mind. Circumstances may debar some from such a course of study as they wish. To such, some other mode of improvement is suggested by the necessities and exigencies of the occasion. Again, another consideration presents itself. It is this, that men's minds are varied in their tastes and capacities; one is for deep and thorough investigation; another skims more swiftly over the surface, but returns again to plow deeper the next time; one is the deep subsoil plough, another only ploughs the light stubble just below the surface; or one is like the elephant shaking the earth as he walks, another is like the light deer, which glides softly but swiftly by.

But much as minds differ, they need in a certain sense, the same preparation and early training. Failing in this, they suit themselves to circumstances, and the nearest available means and mode of improvement. Benjamin Franklin gained his high position by varied and extensive reading; and he was a remarkably rapid reader. Sir Isaac Newton attained to eminence by deep study and research.

In religious matters, one peruses the Bible with caution and care, comparing parallel passages; slowly but surely removing seeming difficulties and objections. To him the reading of the Bible by course would be of little benefit compared with the mode he has adopted. To another the study of the Scriptures is accomplished by often reading them by course. To such an one, it may be more habitual and natural to get the sense by often reading the sacred text; and by so doing the whole Bible becomes familiar. And as he often reads it in this manner, it becomes a part of his being. Like an elegant and finished painting, it becomes impressed upon his mind, in all its grandeur and truth, sublimity and beauty; and every fresh perusal, brings out some new beauties, not before seen.

The writer of this must confess himself of this latter class; but had he in the past formed a habit of study in his reading, it might have been otherwise. Not long since, a man of erudition and deep piety, made this remark in a private letter to a friend: 'I am now studying the first chapter of Genesis.' He was not saying, 'To-day, I am studying this chapter,' but, 'It is my study at present;' and he is a man of large, comprehensive mind, capable of rapid work. Think of this, ye who are content to shine along the surface.

But with regard to mental culture, our age is teeming with theories as to the best modes and means of improving the mind. We fall back upon the tried and proved testimony of the Bible: 'Seek first the kingdom of Heaven.' First fill the mind with heavenly light and wisdom; then there is a foundation to build upon; and when the mind, purified by grace, does acquire wisdom and knowledge, it shines with far greater luster and beauty, as the sky always seems more beautiful, when clouds and mists are cleared away.

JOSEPH CLARKE.