The Old and the New

The Old and the New

To receive attention in these days, all things must have up-

to-dateness about them. Even if old and standard thoughts are

presented, they must be dressed in the latest fashion to com-

mand respect. In nothing does this apply with greater force

than in matters educational. New and catchy methods are

adopted to impress the youth with old ideas, and the process is

sought to be made as easy as possible for the student.

We read stories of hundreds of pages to get an idea that

might be obtained in a few sentences. The object of the story

is that the thought may be absorbed with interest and ease, so

that the reader may have it impressed without over-exertion on

his part. Some one has truly said that a classical author is one

that everybody talks about, and that nobody reads. His sedate

and dignified thoughts are therefore amplified, and doled out

540 IMPROVEMENT ERA

in homeopathic doses in a flood of modern books. It is a sad

comment.

The good old standard methods of teaching religion which

made it imperative that the student should dig out of the plain

and unsugared books of scripture, simple in themselves, the

truths of the gospel, are often supplanted by what is considered

easier ways, either through listening to stories or lectures, or hav-

ing outlines provided in which the doctrine is made convenient

and easy, and the student is freed from mental exertion as far as

possible. Every one must recognize the value of system and

interest. Without them, teaching is almost in vain. But these

alone are not sufficient. The individual must think and act

for himself. No deep impression can come to any person's

mind when that person is not willing to command his mind

itself to struggle.

Youth must go back to original sources for inspiration, and

be willing to search for the truths and experiences of the past,

if they are to be thinkers and wise men of action, and not alone

mere listeners and absorbers. Fads in new literature come and

go, but the dignified words of the holy scriptures and other

standard works, prized and handed down through ages to us,

have a special value when we study them for ourselves and

make their truths our own. When we discard this method for

seemingly easier ones, we do so at a great loss to ourselves.

As the flood of new books and methods come to attract our

interest, let us take advantage of them, of course, as far as con-

sistent; but let us also remember to cling closer to the thought

that as students and teachers we must do our share of work and

not discard truth because it is dressed in old clothes. We must

seek original sources, and learn largely to interest and instruct

ourselves by personal effort and also by prayer and the inspira-

tion of the Holy Ghost. This applies especially to the study of

the gospel and to obtaining a knowledge and testimony of the

great Latter-day work in which we are engaged.

President Joseph F. Smith wrote recently, in referring to new

methods from here and there relating to educational matters:

"I may be a little skeptical in regard to some new f angled ideas;

and, perhaps without good cause, I doubt the propriety of ap-

plying them in our organizations. I sometimes fear that we are

in danger of encumbering the Church organizations with too

many forms and rules which may put on the shape and hind-

rance resulting from too much red tape. The spirit and princi-

ples of the gospel are very simple and direct, and are seldom

improved by extraordinary methods and rules which men may

adopt for their promulgation or induction."

So, while we should not despise new books, new methods,

new ideas, they should be thoroughly proved before being

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adopted. Furthermore, knowledge does not come by hearing

and interest alone, but by diligent application to study and

meritorious conduct. Let it ever be remembered that we will

not gain by abandoning the old, tested, tried and valuable books,

authors, and methods, for untried substitutes, though popular

for the passing day. This applies especially to the fundamental

truths of the gospel which, while old, are ever new, — the same

yesterday, today, and forever.