Editorial January 14, 1911 Issue

"HID TREASURES."

Annie M. Knott

The wise man sets forth with many strong reasons the necessity for spiritual understanding, and tells of the rewards to be gained by its possession, among which are named health, long life, peace, prosperity, safety. Need we wonder that, with all these as the result of the understanding which comes from God, we should be bidden to search for it as for "hid treasures"? The wise man indeed tells us that it is more to be desired than silver and gold; more precious than the rarest ruby. He tells us that God Himself established the earth and the heavens by His understanding, and that the one who possesses this kind of understanding shall walk safely and not stumble, that he shall lie down and not be afraid, and that his "sleep shall be sweet." Well might he add, "With all thy getting get understanding."

We find that the great Teacher was no less insistent upon the need of acquiring spiritual treasures at any cost, making it a condition of discipleship that one should be willing to forsake all that he had in order to become his follower. He reproached the people for their lack of understanding which kept them from being healed by him, but he said to his disciples, "Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear." Then he went on to give one parable after another (see Matthew xiii.), among others the one which declares that the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field, to gain which a man would sell all that he had. Again it was likened unto a "pearl of great price," for which one "sold all that he had, and bought it."

All through the Master's teachings we find him directing thought to the spiritual treasures which were so clearly perceived by him, but which were hidden from those who believed that the material senses were the avenue through which they could be cognized. Again and again had he healed the sick in the presence of the scribes and Pharisees, but so blinded were they by prejudice that when the little children joined in loud praises of all the "mighty works" which had been done by him, these men could only say, "Master, rebuke thy disciples." Need we wonder that he wept when he beheld the city which was the very citadel of their pride, as he said, "If thou hadst known ... the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes."

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