IS EDUCATION A DUTY? by George Ide Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 11, 1877

IS EDUCATION A DUTY?

By George Ide Butler

BY ELD. G. L. BUTLER.

Education is a process of discipline and instruction by which the mind is prepared to act efficiently. It may vary, of course, to all degrees; but a good education will result in giving the person enjoying its benefits that condition of efficiency of which his mind is capable. Strength of mind, and surrounding circumstances, vary with different individuals, and of course affect results. But, nevertheless, the general principle holds good, that other things being equal, he who has the benefits of education will succeed best. Ignorance and lack of discipline never helped any one in the race of life.

It is a universal law of nature, that exercise gives strength. For the mind to act effectually, it must be exercised and disciplined. The school is not the only place where this can be done, but it is by far the best, when proper safeguards can be thrown around it. The great field of knowledge covered by our school-books, the favorable circumstances for receiving instruction in the realms of science from teachers of experience, and the constant friction of daily intercourse of mind with mind among those bent upon gaining useful knowledge, which often creates a generous emulation to succeed, among those who would otherwise be dull, render the school the place above all others, where the most favorable conditions exist for combining mental discipline and instruction.

Much is truly said in our day concerning the duty of preserving our physical strength, caring for the health of our bodies, and living temperately, to preserve their powers in the best condition. If this be important, how much more so is the training and condition of the mind? Indeed, the great reason why the body should receive such care is, that through it the mind may be favorably affected. The mind is the noblest part of man. It is that which allies him to God, distinguishes him from the brute, elevates him to companionship with angels, gives him a hope of immortality, and makes him capable of all that is worthy of regard.

I do not claim that the school is the sole factor in educating the mind. Family training and associations have a great influence. A life of constant improvement after the mature years are reached is also to be considered. But a good education in school is also a great assistance, a most important element. The men who have moved the world have been educated men, not always in the sense of a thorough acquaintance with all the intricacies and technicalities of scientific lore, but the mind, in some way, has become stored with facts and disciplined by exercise. Moses was learned in all the knowledge of the wise Egyptians, the wisest nation of his time. God provided for his being thus taught. Why, unless he thought education important?

Paul sat at the feet of the wisest teachers of his time. He was a learned man. The groundwork of the Christian system was to be laid. Its doctrines were to be drawn out for the consideration of a world. Its principles were to be clearly defined. The arguments of our faith were to be prepared for generations yet unborn. The ardent Peter was not to do this. The “sons of thunder” were not selected, though these had been with Christ himself as special companions; but an educated man was smitten with physical blindness, that his mind might be opened to the great truths of the gospel. What meant that supernatural display of omnipotent power on the road to Damascus, such as was never seen in another instance, if not to show God’s appreciation of education and learning united with strong natural powers of mind? Other disciples, as well as Paul, were true to Christ, others died for him; but he had use for an educated man.

Luther, Melancthon, Zwingle, and Calvin, were educated men. Wesley, Clarke, and the leading men in the great Methodist reformation, were educated men. And it is not claiming too much to say that all those who have had great influence in forming the status of religious opinion in all the past, have been those who have received in some way a fair education. In saying this, we readily admit that there is a field of usefulness for those to labor in who have been deprived of the advantages of education, and yet have the cause of God at heart; but we doubt very much if any will be really useful who despise education. Their ideas will be too narrow ever to accomplish real good. Their influence will oftener count on the wrong side than the right. But there are honest, noble-hearted men who were deprived of early advantages, who can do real good, and accomplish much for the benefit of their fellow-men; yet these will regret their early disadvantages, and do what they can to make up for their lack of school privileges. And these very ones will be free to admit that they find many places in their experience where their usefulness is greatly crippled for the lack of education.

What has been proven true in the experience of all the past is fully verified in our own history as a people. I need not call names, but will simply inquire, Who have been most useful in the building up of this cause? Have not those that have exercised the leading influence among our ministers been the men who have obtained a fair education, either by reading or study? This is most certainly true. Education is important for every condition of life. It matters not what business a person follows, discipline of mind, and acquired knowledge, will enable him to succeed better in it than otherwise, because these enable him to think better. They strengthen the mind, give it a larger range, and enable him to investigate subjects more thoroughly. He is thus better able to discover hidden causes of danger, and avoid mistakes. Many a genius has been lost to the world for lack of proper education, and many a person of ordinary capacity has filled an important position of usefulness because of its benefits.

If this be true in the general business of life, how vastly more important with those who preach the gospel, and influence people to engage in God’s service. Here is a field for the highest power of the human mind, for the clearest thought, for the most convincing logic.

There is great truth in the remark, “Ministers ought to know everything.” People dislike to be taught by those whom they esteem ignorant. They will not be influenced by such. This is an age of knowledge; and when men go about as teachers, they ought not to be ignoramuses. How preposterous for a man to stand in the public desk as a teacher of mighty truths, who cannot read, write, and speak the English language properly! It is an insult to the understanding of his hearers. There is no need of it if a person will use the advantages so lavishly thrown on every side of him.

A minister in this cause will be thrown into the society of all classes of men. Some of these are interested in one thing, and some in another. To form, readily, an acquaintance with these, some knowledge of those subjects which interest them is, to say the least, very convenient. In due time the truth can be introduced, and step by step they can be led into it; while, if they had found the teacher ignorant, they would not have cared for his acquaintance.

A person lacking in mental training and knowledge will fail to reach the very class who might be most useful in doing good among us, viz., the intelligent and refined. Though the souls of these may be no more valuable, yet they certainly have ability to do far greater good after coming into the truth. Thousands of vacancies exist where such can step in and do a good work.

May God preserve us as a people from the blighting idea that ignorance is excusable, and education unnecessary. While we have not the time to go through all the technicalities of scientific training, and cannot spend years in reading all the dead languages, yet our young people should not be satisfied short of from one to three years’ hard study after their common school term is over. They will never regret this as long as they live, but probably will regret that they could not have devoted more time to study. I have never seen the man who was sorry for what education he had obtained, while many greatly regret that they have not obtained more.

Hundreds of our people are asleep to the importance of giving their children proper mental training. They teach them to value the almighty dollar. They show them by constant example the principles of saving and accumulating till their minds become narrowed down to the worship of mammon. They did not possess educational privileges in their youth, and are blinded as to their value. They think they cannot afford the expense. But money laid out for an education is better than notes drawing a hundred per cent. interest. It brings better returns. It pays even in dollars and cents, for the person possessing it stands a far better chance to secure property than otherwise. His mind is sharper, there are more avenues open to him in the world’s great conflict; and when losses come by fire or flood, failure or theft, here is something which clings to him as long as life lasts. This investment needs no insurance at Lloyd’s. It is as secure as anything can be in this world. It pays, not only in this respect, but it makes life sweeter, enlarges the radius of our enjoyments, brings mental pleasure, and extends the field of our usefulness.

Parents and guardians should awake to this subject. Here is one good object to labor for, in benefiting their children, something of permanent value. And I would say to our young men and women who have become of age, Secure a good education. Put off early marriages; labor to this end. You can secure a reasonable degree of schooling even if you are poor. Thousands of our most eminent men have done this, and secured a valuable experience in doing it, becoming self-reliant and energetic. Such learn the true value of education. If this is a worthy object because of its temporal importance, of how much greater value when the motive is to proclaim the truth of God, and save precious souls from death! Work out for a few months, and use the proceeds in going to school. You will then be apt to realize the value of your money, because you will know what it costs. You will never regret this in after years.

May God prosper the cause of true education, and greatly bless our school.