p. 359 | The Acquisition of Knowledge by Eliza H. Morton

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · June 3, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 23

The Acquisition of Knowledge.

By Eliza H. Morton

BY ELIZA H. MORTON.

Development is the great object for which man was created. Whatever strengthens the mind or educates the heart, ennobles, refines, exalts, and elevates the entire being. Pleasurable emotions always accompany true culture. All manly and womanly joy has its origin in earnest labor.

Youth looks forward with eager eyes and high ambitions, and longs for an honored place in society; but the desire brings not the position. Yonder are “golden mountains” with “crowns of golden clouds,” but those summits cannot be reached at a bound. A steady purpose, an unflinching will, and a bold heart, are needed in the march of life. Beauty, music, balm, and flowers may at times brighten the way; but ever and anon dark shadows, gloomy clouds, and dangerous pitfalls will terrify the soul. High possibilities lie before us all, and unwise are they that flinch, turn backward, and lose the culture which otherwise might be secured.

What if stern discipline be required, the result will repay the effort. A well-drilled mind, a strong, healthy body, and a sweet, loving disposition, make life a great and wonderful thing.

The idea of separate individuality is a pleasing thought. Robertson says: “There is a sacredness in individuality of character; each one born into this world is a fresh, new soul, intended by its Maker to develop itself in a new, fresh way. We are what we are; we cannot be truly other than ourselves. We reach perfection not by copying, much less by aiming at originality; but by consistently and steadily working out the life which is common to all of us, according to the character which God has given us.”

Mind and heart may be dwarfed until life becomes a miserable failure, or they may be expanded to the true glory of a noble existence. It is useless to be an idle “dreamer among shadows.” We may rise above the wearisome level of dull mediocrity. Positive worth and noble action will bring a reward richer than the fabled treasures of the Orient.

Let us, then, aim high, and put forth that energy of mind that will at length lead us to all goodness, beauty, knowledge, and truth.