p. 39 | CULTURE by S. Lizzie Guernsey

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · January 15, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 3

CULTURE

By S. Lizzie Guernsey

BY S. LIZZIE GUERNSEY.

What is culture? Is it merely a brain stored with knowledge, and a fine polished manner of displaying what little we know? Ought we to seek the society of cultured persons, who, like hollow blocks of polished marble, impart no strength to society, and are only admired for their fine appearance? No; this is not the culture for us to seek or to follow. The great cry of humanity is, Teach us how to live; and how this cry shall be answered is the question that agitates many hearts and minds to-day. It is useless to say, even to the uneducated and ignorant, There is no need of refining influences; all we need is the comforts of life,—to be well fed and clothed. For the mind craves food; it demands knowledge, refinement, and power. Human life is only a preparation for one that is still future, but will come ah! too soon for all.

Then what shall the truly cultured do to supply this great demand of the human family for something that will raise them to a higher mental and moral plane than that which they now occupy? Shall they read the best books, and thus secure the hoarded treasures of wisdom? Yes, indeed; they will seek knowledge, that it may become a part of their lives, and by the power of their example will elevate all within the circle of their influence. We cannot all write books, but we all can and must live; and it is within the power of every person to give the world an example of a true life. However true refinement is acquired, whether by study, experience, or observation, if the heart and life are pure the result will be the highest type of culture.

Too often we hear it said of a man that he is a cultured, but not a good man; although educated, and endowed with wealth, his life and influence go to uphold and sustain error. Yet he is tolerated and courted by society, and the evil heart is ignored. Where are the words that will express a just scorn for such society? Poisonous flowers are often beautiful; venomous reptiles have the power of fascination: but do we love these beauties and fascinations? No; we destroy them for the sake of others. And it would be well for the guardians of homes to shut the door on cultured sinners; for by their very polish they poison and pollute the atmosphere. It is better to elevate the ignorant than to uphold these moral vipers.

The man or woman of the present time who, with average ability and opportunities, is not the better for the intelligence gained by perusing the works of the best authors, is not sound, and must have studied like a parrot,—to remember and quote, not to incorporate into the life. There is one book which above all others may be profitably studied, and that is the Bible, from whose pages all true inspiration, all true knowledge and refinement, are drawn. The person into whose character are infused the principles which this book teaches, is indeed prepared to be a blessing to society.

Education should exalt, refine, and ennoble, and when society demands strength and purity as well as polish, moral excellence as well as refinement, then, and only then, will it attain the true culture for which it is sighing.