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THE THREE ELEMENTS

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 9, 1901

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 78, No. 15.

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THE THREE ELEMENTS

By L. A. Reed

I. A Theme.—The theme is that truth which the author has first of all in his own mind; it is contained in his own mind.
A divine theme is a truth in the divine mind.
2. Plan.—Now having this theme in mind, if the author thinks of presenting it to others, he must consider how he shall unfold it; not that he will think first of the words and figures he is to use,—these are the last things that he considers,—but how shall he arrange his thought, how shall he approach the minds of those whom He is to address.
3. Execution.—Having his theme, and having also his plan of presenting it, the last thing for an author to do is to choose the words and symbols of thought which will enable him most clearly to convey to other minds what he himself has to present.
Many men leave this last to the moment or occasion of presentation, and then choose the terms at their command. Others will not trust to the inspiration of the moment, but by careful study and writing will select the very words that must go together, according to their opinion, in the presentation of that given theme.
And there are some who seem to think this last is the legitimate field of literary study. They will spend years or a lifetime in the study of words. No one can say that the study of words is unimportant; but there is such a thing as words without sense, and such a thing as multiplying them without knowledge. All such is vanity.
Even the words, the figures, the little turns of expression, are for but one thing—to bring out the theme in the author's mind. And if the words used do not do this, do not reveal the theme, or leading thought, in the mind of the author, no matter how euphonious they may be, they are but as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.
The themes of Biblical literature are the great thoughts of its divine author. And truly, can not God present great thoughts? The whole universe lies before His infinite mind. Does He not know the highest, grandest themes? Does He not know the most helpful, ennobling thoughts? Does He not comprehend the greatest, most inspiring truths?—Yes, truly He does; and in His word He has given them to all willing, submissive minds.
When one has really discovered the theme of an author, he may read any portion of his treatise, and will readily see that it bears in some way upon the central theme: unless the author has done the unpardonable thing of wandering from his subject.
And when we have discovered the theme of any portion of Biblical literature, we shall find it running, like a scarlet cord, through every sub-thought, idea, or word, giving the composition what is called unity.
Now, while the theme is the first thing in the mind of the author, it is the last thing to be found by the one addressed. Words are the last resort of the one who speaks or writes, but words are the first thing that the listener or reader receives. Hence, when we take up any piece of literature, Biblical or general, we give attention to words. If there are any new words, we should be sure that we understand their meaning. If there are any historical allusions, we should be sure that we get their idea. If there are any figures of speech, we should be sure that we know what they represent. Having done this, we may search for the theme. L. A. REED.