Article September 1, 2013

A higher education

Joseph G. Harrison

Originally published in the August 10, 1971 issue of The Christian Science Monitor

Shakespeare, whom Ben Jonson described as having "small Latin and less Greek," tells us that "learning is but an adjunct to ourself." And never, in the four centuries since that was written, has the wisdom of the poet's words been more apparent than today. With increasing insistence, millions of young men and women are demanding that education be an adjunct of themselves, that is, that education be truly relevant to the creation of a wiser, better, happier, kinder human being.

Despite his lack of learning in the two subjects which were looked upon in his day as the absolute foundation of a good education, Shakespeare had a depth of understanding that no amount of schooling could have given him. Compared with his insight into the human condition, how dull and barren was the scholarship of his contemporaries who viewed learning as an end in itself. Shakespeare has had few peers in his ability to put knowledge at the service of mankind.

When we turn to Christ Jesus, we see how fruitfully human knowledge was subordinated to higher spiritual goals. As for Mrs. Eddy, she put men's learning in perspective when she wrote, "To ask wisdom of God, is the beginning of wisdom." Miscellaneous Writings, p. 359.  

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