The Wisdom of the Wise

The Wisdom of the Wise By George Albert Smith, Jr., Superintendent Y. M. M. I. A. Swiss-German Mission IT IS A FACT of general admission that both the peoples and powers of the earth have the desire to live at peace with one another. Mankind is not inclined, fundamentally, to have wars, nor to have strife. That the fruits of peace are much more desirable than the turmoils of war is an almost self-evident fact. Yet, we do not reach the longed-for goal. Nations come together to establish good-will on a firmer basis, having the best intentions, and when they part they are often farther away than ever. Conferences, agreements, and leagues of the most solemn and pacific countenance have fallen miserably short of their goal. An honest observation shows this to be true, not only in the case of governments, but also of individuals; a desire for a better and more profitable life, but a pitiable lack of ability to attain it. These are characteristics of our present-day age, and of all ages of peoples and nations who are not actuated by the forces, the im¬ pulses, and the standards of true religion. The Master taught that these very desirable characteristics are the fruits of faith; and that we can easily have them, if we but obey the laws governing them. He said further, that we should seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and that if we did, all things else of lasting value would be added unto us. And these words contain the key to the solution of our problems. We have had it for thousands of years in this or a slightly different form, and yet men cannot discover it in its full significance. We live in a highly educated age (and the value of learning must never be underestimated) ; but our education in and of itself can easily blind us, rather than illuminate our lives. The attitudes and motives which transfer the knowledge into lasting and effective every-day life must be learned in a more spiritual school. Education deals in “hows” more than “whys”, and we must have the fully developed and balanced view to attain that which we seek. We must have something which will force us, or better said, guide us to do our best. True religion will do this, but wisdom or knowledge as sole driving forces have never succeeded. Education in and of itself is very materialistic, and yet the trend of history and life is not determined by the outward manifestations of nature, but rather by the inner. It deals with men’s souls, with love, with hate.

THE WISDOM OF THE WISE 689 with faith, with jealousy and the other passions. They are schooled, not by the craftiness of man, but by the Spirit of God. There are certain tendencies of our modernism which are detri¬ mental to progress in all fields of endeavor, and especially in this most important one, and which we must avoid or we shall be carried on with the flood past our objective and not recognize it. The journalism of our day is highly critical, but unconstruct- ively critical. And inasmuch as the printed word is both a cause and a result of popular opinion and mind, this has become a characteristic of the readers as well as the writers. How many articles are written, how many sermons preached, which point out the weakness of some prevailing system without attempting to formulate a remedy? We read such and have the feeling that something is wrong, yet we have not been given anything better. That is a very dangerous state of mind, for it is purely de¬ structive, and not constructive. When it is turned on religion, on true religion, and tested, its fallacy becomes obvious, for all attempts to provide a substitute have shown the error of the criticism rather than the criticised. If all would apply the test of logic, and of fact, the trouble would be solved, but the average man rather presumes that it is already a proved fact, and accepts the verdict as just and sufficient. We must guard against the tendency to let our thinking be guided by sensationalists, by scenario writers, by vaudeville entertainers and joke books. A man says he would rather be broad-minded than religious, and infers thereby that the religious man is narrow-minded, which is a fallacious hypothesis. Such is, however, typical of the anti- religious argument. It deals in sophistry, and is calculated to stimu¬ late ready approval rather than earnest thinking. It gives as an¬ swer to a sensible argument, a joke, which, unfortunately, tickles the ears of persons who have greater respect for wit than for pro¬ found thought. We must rise above this cloud of easy-going approval to see the true nature and color of things in the light of reality. The religious person is painted by this false art as weak, ignorant, short-sighted, and highly impractical. The thought that he fears to do wrong spreads much faster than the true fact that he has the courage to do right. Christ, the ideal, has been falsely portrayed to much by word and brush that he is thought of as being weak, and effeminate; whereas, he was vigorous, active, and courageous. The basis of his doctrine was individual responsibility, which calls forth the best and most virile attributes of man. It requires faith, which is not blindness, but vision. It requires obedience, which does not mean fear to do, but dare to do.

690 IMPROVEMENT ERA Many philosophers, both before and after the Savior, have been able to evolve plans of peace which appeal to the reason, but which fail when applied. They do not seek the kingdom of God first, they seek “all things else’’, and of course they must fail. Their methods are solely material, and not spiritual. They attempt to ignore causes, and try to obtain the results. This is illustrated in a civilization which does more to cure social disease than to prevent immorality: which tries to force dis¬ cipline and order rather than teach brotherly love; which makes laws and tries to enforce them with physical force, rather than to instill the true principles of an orderly and happy life into the souls of men. The learning of the world, all that is true and uplifting and good, may go hand in hand with true religion, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and only when it does can it achieve its high purpose. All these other things are means to the end, and should not be considered themselves as objectives. We must be spiritually balanced to effect an application. We must develop those qualities of character which are lasting, and which alone enables us to attain the goals which men and nations so long for — outward and inward peace. This is the work of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to teach us these principles. We must learn them and obey them. It is the eternal law of cause and effect in its widest application. There is no other way. Basel, Switzerland The Sinner’s Prayer I am weighted down with habits of sin Which bind me with fetters of steel. May the peace of thy spirit renew me within And the joy of repentance reveal. I plead for mercy from heaven above, I pray not for power, riches or pelf. Oh. grant me a share in thy infinite love; O Lord, give me courage to conquer myself. The fame of a conquering general is great. When behind him vast ruins we see. But, Father, I crave no such honor or state. Oh! please give me power to conquer just ME. Beaver, Utah E. Cecil McGavin