OUR IDEAL by J. P. Henderson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 13, 1896

OUR IDEAL.

By J. P. Henderson

BY J. P. HENDERSON.

An ideal is defined as a “conception proposed by the mind for imitation, realization, or attainment.”

The mind intuitively conceives an ideal picture, or conception, of whatever is presented to it, and life and character take on form and action in harmony with this conception.

As a stream never rises above its source, so the elements of life will never rise above, or be more perfect than, the ideal which is formed within. It is well said: “Man will rise no higher than his conception of truth, purity, and virtue.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 95.

That which is perfect in its construction has first had a perfect model of its formation in the mind. The artist first views the beautiful landscape. His vision takes in hill and dale, home and hamlet, and, with pen or pencil, the scene is transferred to a canvas that decorates the walls of his chamber.

It is thus the chambers of our memory are

adorned with the variegated scenes of life. In the regenerated heart these scenes are lovely sketches from nature, and the high, ennobling principles of character, but with the unbeliever they are more frequently from the debasing elements of the low and the vile. From the midst of these revelings of the mind the stream of life courses its way, for as he “thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Prov. 23:7.

An exalted ideal of the life of Christ is essential to the formation of perfect character. Its formation will rise no higher than the zenith of its conception.

To obtain a proper model, one must gaze beyond the visage of outward form. Jesus saw Nathanael coming, and said, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” He saw him while yet he was “under the fig tree.” He gazed upon the virtues of the soul within, and not upon the mere physical form! It is thus that we are to see Jesus, and by beholding are to become changed; for “as face answereth to face in water,” so life should answer to life in Scripture.

When the mind’s ideal is perfect, it will raise the standard of Christian virtues to the exalted level of the character of heaven. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matt. 5:48.

“Chisel in hand stood a sculpture boy, With his marble block before him, His face lit up with a smile of joy, As an angel dream passed o’er him.”

“He carved the dream on that shapeless stone With many a sharp incision; With heaven’s own light the sculptor shone; He had caught that angel vision.”

Goodland, Ind.