O satisfy us early
with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14
Learning is not without its effect
upon the soul; it either lends it wings, to bear it up to God,
or leaves behind it tiny sparks, which, little by little consume
the whole being.
If you would ascertain all the good, or ill, you have derived
from all those hours devoted to historians, poets, novelists,
or philosophers, put to yourself these questions: Since acquiring
this knowledge, am I wiser? am I better? am I happier?
Wiser?--That is to say more self-controlled, less the
slave of my passions, less irritated by small vexations, braver
in bearing misfortunes, more careful to live for eternity?
Better?--More forbearing toward others, more forgiving,
less uncharitable, more reticent in exposing the faults of others,
more solicitous for the happiness of those around me?
Happier?--That would mean more contented with my station
in life, striving to derive all possible benefits from it, to
beautify rather than to alter it?
Have I more faith in God, and more calmness and resignation
in all the events of life?
If you cannot reply in the affirmative, then examine your heart
thoroughly, and you will find there, stifling the good that
God has implanted, these three tyrants that have obtained dominion
over you:--(1.) Pride, (2.) Ambition, (3.) Self-conceit.
From them have sprung:--dissatisfaction and contempt of your
life and its surroundings, restlessness, a longing for power
and dominion over others, malice, habitual discontent, and incessant
murmurings. Have you any further doubts? Then inquire of those
with whom you live.
Ah! If this be indeed the sad result, then whatever may be
your age, close, oh! close those books, and seek once more those
three elements of happiness you ought never to have forsaken,
and which , had you made them the companions of your study,
would have kept you pure and good.
I refer to the Bible, prayer and manual labor.
