p. 166 | Hints on Studying by George H. Bell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 12, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 11.

Hints on Studying.

By George H. Bell

SUCCESS in study depends largely on favorable conditions of the mind. It is a well-known experience that under certain circumstances, impressions are made that last through life. Trifling incidents are remembered without an effort, and unimportant scenes are as fresh after twenty or thirty years as they were on the day they occurred. On the contrary, many things that we labored long to acquire and tried hard to retain, have slipped away from us, we know not how.

This difference is not wholly due to natural depravity or Satanic influence. These may tend toward causing us to drop the valuable and retain the worthless; but the chief reason why the memory has kept some things without an apparent effort, is because the mind was in a condition to receive impressions when these things happened, or when they were studied. The artist prepares the polished plate, and puts it into the camera; when the sun quietly and silently paints for him, in light and shade, the most perfect pictures. The mind is like the plate; it receives impressions most readily when it is passive; that is, when it is not anxious about receiving an impression; just as water will reflect an image better when placid than when disturbed. We often remember best by not trying to remember at all, but by simply giving the whole mind to the appreciation and enjoyment of our subject. Just as soon as one begins to cudgel his brain with the thought, "Now be sure to remember this!" just so soon the attention is partly turned aside from what he wishes to remember. His hold is weakened upon the very thing he wants to keep. A cloud, slight though it may be, has come between him and his subject; the sunlight is partially cut off, and his picture is dimmed. The best way is to be so wholly given up to the subject in hand that self, time, place, and circumstances will be wholly forgotten. When a thought has once taken possession of the mind in this way, it will be sure to return again.

If the theme be historical, descriptive, or narrative, step right on to the scene of action, and let all pass before you in vision. See and hear and feel as you would if you had really been present. It will thus become a part of your own experience, and you will recall it as you do the events of your own life. Time after time these scenes will come back to you, till they will become too familiar to be lost.

If the subject be philosophical, or meditative, let your mind drink in and assimilate the thought, without being hindered by any anxiety about remembering it. Whatever thoughts of others you deem worthy to be cherished, will thus mingle with your own until they seem a part of your own mind.

If it is mere words you wish to remember, regardless of their meaning, this plan will not serve your purpose; you must look elsewhere for instruction in that art.

Many people are much hindered in their studies by a hurried feeling. The thought continually comes up: "Well, now, I must hurry, for I fear I shall not have time to learn all my lesson!" If the time be short, all the more need there is of keeping the mind calm and clear. We cannot afford to have it unbalanced by distracting fears, and so unfitted for healthy action. Be deliberate, though you may not have five minutes for study. This is not inconsistent with decision and energy.

But the most essential condition of success is that the mind should take pleasure in the very act of studying. So long as learning a lesson, or studying a subject, is regarded as a task, there can be but little real success. The mind is nourished by study, thought, as the body is by food; and both study and food should be relished in order to be serviceable. The relishing of food depends upon healthy conditions of the body; and true delight in study, especially the study of the Bible, depends on a healthy condition of body, mind, and spirit. This thought opens up a broad field,—one which we cannot attempt to explore,—but a few hints may be given. Our pleasure in study depends on the interest we take in the subject; our interest depends on the nature of the subject, a complete understanding of it, and a condition of character that will enable us to appreciate the truths presented. What we need to do, then, is to choose a worthy subject; ask the aid of the Holy Spirit to prepare the mind and heart to appreciate truth; and then give ourselves up wholly to the influence of that truth, with the sole purpose of being made better by it.

Thorough, persistent study of this kind will soon become a satisfaction and delight, and will yield results that seem marvelous.

If we cannot at once achieve all that is here set forth, let us aim in the right direction, follow the plan as nearly as possible, and see what will come of it.—G. H. B., in S. S. Worker.