Article August 2, 1913 Issue

"LEARN OF ME"

CHRISTINE H. BEALS.

It is generally admitted that understanding gives power. We know this to be true in the most common and ordinary sense. We cannot do the thing we do not know how to do, however small or unimportant the thing may be. We must have an idea before we can put it into execution; we must understand before we can accomplish.

We realize that the wise man of ancient time gave good advice when he said, "With all thy getting get understanding." There are in the world today no lack of sources held out to struggling humanity, through which or by means of which men are promised understanding. There is a tendency among educators to advance the theory that all possible learning on all possible subjects constitutes understanding, but this attitude toward learning should be carefully considered. From an ethical and moral standpoint we have two things to consider,—good and evil; that which is desirable, and that which is not desirable; that which promotes the welfare and happiness of men, and that which retards these conditions. All progress depends on the promulgation and perpetuation of that which is good; evil has no place in progress, nor in the advancement of the individual or of the race. It follows, then, that education should constitute a knowledge and understanding of that which is good and true and enduring.

The master thinker of all ages said, "Learn of me." Then the question naturally arises, What did he have to teach? What sort of knowledge did he propose to give out to the world? We cannot conceive of Jesus the Christ teaching evil to any man; no impure thing ever went out from his consciousness. "For I am meek and lowly in heart;" this is the reason that Jesus gave why men should learn of him. He wished humanity to know, not self-seeking, worldly wisdom, and ambition, but the fine, true things of life; clean, honest knowledge; a right perception of all things. He said of those who should obtain this correct knowledge, "Ye shall find rest unto your souls;" and he clearly taught that this knowledge which he desired to impart to humanity would be to them an avenue through which they might obtain all the good and desirable things of life. On page 26 of Science and Health we read, "Divine Truth, Life, and Love gave Jesus authority over sin, sickness, and death;" and Jesus says to humanity, "Come unto me, ... and learn of me." Let us think of the call of the Master, and see if there is anything beside it that is so worth our time, thought, and energy.

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