In all true knowledge lies profit. Every trade, every profession rests upon some special knowledge. A good knowledge of one’s mother-tongue opens many a door of opportunity. A knowledge of mathematics is essential to the surveyor, the jailor, the engineer, the astronomer. A knowledge of mechanics enables a man to construct machines, and frees man from painful and useless drudgery. A knowledge of the laws of nature gives a man mastery over the natural forces, and enables him to make them his servants. The studies pursued in the school-room are immensely useful. A man who lacks the rudiments of education is as badly handicapped as if he were blind or crippled. To know, and to know how, distinguishes a man above his fellow. Yet none of the branches of human knowledge and learning can reach or satisfy the deepest need of a human being. Mathematics cannot heal a broken heart. Literature and Philosophy cannot lift a life from the dust. Science cannot wash away the stain of guilt from the conscience. Human education fails utterly in the most vital points, to fit a man for life or death. “I have drunk of every spring and fountain of knowledge,” said Alexander von Humboldt, the great German scientist and scholar, when he lay dying— “except the one that could satisfy my soul.” In the face of the last crisis the learned master-mind perceived how futile, how empty, how worthless at last, is all human attainment, all earthly knowledge.

But there is a knowledge that can change and transform the heart; that brings peace and hope; that redeems and restores the soul; that renders the man who has it superior to all he may have to encounter in this world and fitted for the hereafter. That is the knowledge of God.

This priceless knowledge can be had by every one who wants it. The lesson shows how by easy steps “my son” is led in the upward way to the knowledge of God. The great Teacher takes him where he is. There is no entrance requirement at all to this course of instruction; nor any hard thing demanded at first— only a passive receptive hearing:

“My son, if thou wilt receive my words.” …. That is all that is asked just here. Are you willing? Well, that is enough. Get this lesson: it is quite simple and easy: When God’s words of wisdom come, open wide the door, let them come in ; give them entrance and reception. That much learned, comes lesson two:

“And lay up my commandments with thee.” That is conservation. The Words have come to you freely and of themselves*: now lay them up carefully— let them not fade away, treasure them, keep them· Now, lesson three:

“So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom.” The first teaching came to you unsought. Now bend your ear a bit, to get more.

You have been hearing: now make a move forward and listen with purpose and interest. Is that step complied with? Good— here is the fourth one:

“And apply thy heart to understanding .” That is a soul effort— the appropriating of the teaching, trying to master it, to make it your own, to grasp it, to seize upon it, to hold it fast, trying to understand it and impress it on your mind. That is not hard after the first interest is awakened. Yet you will become aware now that after all your own power cannot just grasp it. The next step is extremely important:

       “Yea if thou CRY after discernment, and lift up thy voice f or understanding.” Here then you begin to appeal to God for it— and certainly not in vain. For, “if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (Jas. 5 :5 ). When therefore the inestimable value of the thing dawns upon you, and also the difficulty of its attainment, and you turn to make application to God, you have lesson five. Now comes assurance and hope for God has heard you; and you are ready to throw your whole soul into the high and noble quest:

“I f thou seek her as silver and search for her as for hid treasures—”

 Ah, how men will toil and venture and strive and delve, to dig the precious metals from the rocks, or to unearth a hidden treasure! Such earnestness if applied in the search of truth and wisdom would bring a revival immensely more valuable and precious than all the treasures of the earth. Then, yes, then, to your eager heart will come the great and wonderful gift—a gift still, although you have so strenuously sought it:

 

“T h e n thou, understand the fear of Jehovah and find the knowledge o f G o d …………. T h e n shalt thou understand righteousness and justice and equity, yea, every good path.”

No other pursuit will yield so sure and rich a success. It matters not how lowly your station and attainment, nor what your natural deficiencies: start upon this quest and follow these steps forward; you cannot, you shall not fail of that exceeding great reward. “For Jehovah giveth wisdom;” and “Wisdom shall enter into thy heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant to thy soul; discretion shall watch over thee; understanding shall keep thee.”

     I n the course of life it is not fate a man needs to fear, but folly. The great shipwrecks and failures are not due to misfortunes but to lack of wisdom and of understanding. What others may do to you is a trifle in comparison to what you can inflict upon yourself. Give a man wisdom and understanding, and though misfortunes fall upon him as thick as the arrows of the Persians that darkened the sun, yet he will always find his way out. Witness Joseph in Egypt, or Daniel in Babylon. If he is put down, he inevitably rises again. If he lose all, he presently regains it. In strife and conflict he comes off victorious at last. In every condition he has the knack of knowing just the one way of all ways to get through. The fact is Jehovah is with him— and who or what can be against him?

FOR SAFETY AND DIRECTION.

 Wisdom is “my son’s” great protection. Even if you could go with your boy, always and everywhere, anxious mother, you could not possibly keep him, or direct him, or safeguard him so well. No outward protection is equal to that inward keeping and direction that Wisdom affords him. Nor could convent-walls, nor bars nor locks, nor personal surveillance so effectively keep the little daughter from harm and evil. You are so concerned that your children shall have this and that—but, oh, have they that most precious and indispensable heritage of the wisdom of God? For without it every other blessing becomes void. Wisdom is the body-guard, and soul-keeper:

     “To deliver thee from the way of the evil man. . . . “To deliver thee from the strange woman…………. “That thou mayest walk in the way of good men “And keep the paths of the righteous.” With all thy getting, get wisdom, my son, my daughter. You will bless the day. May God grant it to you in fullest measure.