p. 137 | WISDOM by J. R. Calkins

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 24, 1881

WISDOM.

By J. R. Calkins

The Bible exhorts to get wisdom. The following, from "Pollock's Course of Time," tells us what true wisdom is, and what the world calls wisdom. The Lord says, "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire." True wisdom will lead us to do this. J. R. CALKINS. Rome, N. Y.

Wisdom is humble, said the voice of God. 'Tis proud, the world replied. Wisdom, said God, Forgives, forbears, and suffers, not for fear Of man, but God. Wisdom revenges, said The world; is quick and deadly of resentment; Thrusts at the very shadow of affront, And hastes, by death, to wipe its honor clean. Wisdom, said God, loves enemies, entreats, Solicits, begs for peace. Wisdom, replied The world, hates enemies; will not ask peace, Conditions spurns, and triumphs in their fall. Wisdom mistrusts itself, and leans on Heaven, Said God. It trusts and leans upon itself, The world replied. Wisdom retires, said God, And counts it bravery to bear reproach, And shame, and lowly poverty upright; And weeps with all who have just cause to weep. Wisdom, the world replied, struts forth to gaze; Treads the broad stage of life with clamorous foot, Attracts all praises; counts it bravery Alone to wield the sword, and rush on death; And never weeps, but for its own disgrace. Wisdom, said God, is highest, when it stoops Lowest before the holy throne, throws down Its crown abased, forgets itself, admires, And breathes adoring praise. . . . Thus did Almighty God, and thus the world, Wisdom define. . . .

Hence, he that to the worldly wisdom shaped His character, became the favorite Of men--was honorable termed; a man Of spirit; noble, glorious, lofty soul; And as he crossed the earth in chase of dreams, Received prodigious shouts of warm applause. Hence, who to godly wisdom framed his life, Was counted mean, and spiritless, and vile; And as he walked obscurely in the path Which led to Heaven, fools hissed with serpent tongue, And poured contempt upon his holy head; And poured contempt on all who praised his name.

The wise man, said the Bible, walks with God, Surveys, far on, the endless line of life; Values his soul; thinks of eternity; Both worlds considers, and provides for both; With reason's eye his passions guards; abstains From evil; lives on hope, on hope, the fruit Of faith; looks upward; purifies his soul; And drinks with angels from the fount of bliss. The multitude aloud replied (replied By practice). . . . The wise man first of all eradicates, As much as possible, from out his mind, All thought of death, God, and eternity; Admires the world, and thinks of time alone; Avoids the Bible, all reproof avoids; Rocks conscience, if he can, asleep; puts out The eye of reason; . . . Lets passion loose; the substance leaves; pursues The shadow vehemently, but n'er o'ertakes; Puts by the cup of holiness and joy; And drinks, carouses deeply in the bowl Of death; grovels in dust; pollutes, destroys His soul; is miserable to acquire More misery; deceives to be deceived; Strives, labors to the last, to shun the truth; Strives, labors to the last, to dam himself; Turns desperate, shudders, groans, blasphemes, and And sinks--where could he else?--to endless woe, And drinks the wine of God's eternal wrath. The learned thus, and thus the unlearned world, Wisdom defined.