We're in the midst of graduation season now, and earlier today our youngest son graduated from college. 
As I was "grazing" once again through "John Elias: Life, Letters and Essays" (e.g. - see my recent posts here, here & here), I reread a letter which Elias (1774-1841) had written to his son John when John was around 18 years of age. I thought it was a fitting letter for my son and for the rest of the 2013 graduates... as well as a necessary exhortation to the rest of us (no matter our age or our stage in life) –– because as Christians, each and every one of us is prone to wander, we are too easily distracted, lured away from, and lose sight of that knowledge which is to be treasured, sought and savored, and that knowledge which leads us to the highest felicity . . .
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
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A letter was written by Elias to his son at school on education; it shows his mind on that important subject fully and distinctly, especially as to its value. It is the following:
Llanfechell 14 August 1819
I hope that thou now beginnest to take pleasure in thy learning. This is thy harvest, and if thou shouldest neglect this, thy treasure-house will be empty, as long as thou livest, of the greatest worldly wealth, that is, learning! What are gold and silver, houses and land, without knowledge? Nothing! Man is like the brute beast, without education. A person that is unlearned, cannot well enjoy the pleasures that human nature is capable of, especially under the influence of religion. Learning is very important, inasmuch as it teaches the mind to delight in true knowledge, and in making greater attainments in it; - to view the excellencies of others and to follow them, being never satisfied till we acquire them, - to observe the faults of others, and to flee from them. I have said a little respecting the value of learning, being sensible of my own deficiency in that respect. I think if I had to make a choice, whether to have all India, or Sir William Jones's learning, I should prefer the latter.
It is not in an easy, careless manner that we can get learning, understanding, and knowledge; no, it must be by labour, industry, and toil. It is necessary 'to cry after knowledge, and lift up the voice for understanding - to seek her as silver, and to search for her as for hid treasure' (Proverbs 2.3, 4). We are not to be disheartened and cast down, in not succeeding to obtain knowledge of things at the commencement; it is the work of time. It is not at once that flowers, animals, or mankind, arrive at full maturity; they grow gradually, and that by having a nourishment and support: so learning and knowledge; it is not at once and quickly they are attained, but by application, labour, and hard study. It is true that many a person wishes to be a scholar, and learned, but may not like the pains that are necessary to attain that end, and never enjoys what he desires. How true it is, 'the desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. But the hand of the diligent maketh rich‚' (Proverbs 10.4; 21.25).
Having spoken thus of the value of human learning and knowledge, I must say that there are more excellent attainments; the teachings of the Holy Ghost, and the knowledge of Christ and the Father. The Spirit has been promised, to teach us all things respecting Christ. It is the anointing of the Holy One, that is, Jesus: he teacheth us the knowledge of all things as they are, enabling us to know God, ourselves, and the Mediator; he instructs us how to live godly, to acquire every virtue and excellency, to hate the evil and to flee from it, to die happy, and to obtain eternal felicity. Every knowledge in comparison of that of Christ, is but loss and dung; to know him is everlasting life.
My dear son, be not disheartened as to the attainment of this knowledge: Christ, the great Prophet, makes the simple wise unto salvation. He is a kind teacher to those that are willing to learn of him, though slowly. It is not all at once that he instructs his disciples, but gives them line upon line, and precept upon precept; a little here and a little there, and that very patiently. So be thou diligent and constant in his school, sitting at his feet, to receive the words that drop from his lips.
~ Excerpt from: "John Elias: Life, Letters and Essays" by Edward Morgan (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1973, revised edition published in one volume), 63-65, boldface mine.
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John Baillie includes the following letter of the Scottish minister W.H. Hewitson (1812-1850) as evidence of Hewitson's "earnestly ... continu[ing] to 'lay hold on eternal life,'" and in it, we're charged to do likewise –– to use our time here wisely, ever-mindful that "this is our time of education for heaven."
Linlithgow, March 20, 1848.
"My Dear Mother,
"I received father's letter before leaving Edinburgh. Yesterday I communicated in Mr Baillie's church, but did no ministerial work whatever. The season was to me a very refreshing one, and the Lord was sensibly present; the Lord was at His table. Always when I go to the church seeking Christ himself there, and, as it were, to keep tryst with Him—always when I go expressly for the purpose of meeting Christ, and having intercourse with Him,—I experience sweetness in the ordinances of His house, and have reason to return with the voice of thanksgiving. We fail of being blessed in family worship and in public worship, if we do not seek, while so engaged, to meet with Jesus, and to enjoy His Word and fellowship in the exercise of faith and love. It is Christ in the Word, and in all the ordinances of worship, that makes them refreshing and quickening to our souls. Religion is not a form, but a life; and it is not a solitary, friendless life, but a life of intercourse and company-keeping with God in Christ. To be religious, is to be the friends of God—to realise a sense of His presence, love, and favour—to acknowledge Him as a living Person who is always near us, always ready to bless us, and always looking to us for a living obedience.
"This is our time of education for heaven — these are our school-days; and, alas! how many, who profess to believe, and to look for eternal life, neglect their soul's education, and play the truant's part, instead of attending the school of God! Time is near its end—eternity is at the door. O to be ready—all ready! For many will mourn and weep, when the time to make ready is past for ever!
"Next Sabbath, God willing, I shall be in the pulpit myself. Till the house be ready, I go into lodgings. I intend to leave Edinburgh on Friday or Saturday, and afterwards remain with my people. My health is not worse —strength returning, but slowly.—With love to dear father and all the rest, I am, my dear mother, your very affectionate son,
"W. H. Hewitson."
Excerpt from: "Memoir of the Rev. W.H. Hewitson: late minister of the Free Church of Scotland at Dirleton" by the Rev. John Baillie, 4th edition, 1853, 309-310, boldface mine. (HT for the text: http://books.google.com/books?id=bRVMAAAAYAAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_s)
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Holy Spirit, enlighten the eyes of our understanding to the excellency and surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ! Strengthen us, pour out upon us grace upon grace, that we might fight the good fight of faith and earnestly continue to lay hold of eternal life.
May we show ourselves to be genuine professors, and be diligent to make our calling and election sure. May we not be stagnant, sluggish, and sleeping, may we not play the truant's part, but rather may we be awake and alert and make ourselves ready –– all ready! –– attending the school of God –– looking carefully and walking circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, understanding that the Lord's will for us is to know Him (because every knowledge in comparison of that of Christ, is but loss and dung; to know Him is everlasting life!) –– and redeeming the time, pressing on to know Him and to look for and to lay hold of eternal life: –– to be diligent and constant in His school, to make every effort to sit at His feet, to receive the words that drip from His lips, to educate our souls, to take full advantage of the blessed means God provides –– (O! He is a kind teacher to those who are willing to learn of Him!).
Our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, we acknowledge we cannot obtain or understand one ounce of spiritual truth apart from it being given to us from above. O! Send to us the gift of Your Holy Spirit to teach us line upon line, and precept upon precept; a little here and a little there (will you not give the Holy Spirit to those who ask You?!), so we might be growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, because the days are evil, and to know Him is everlasting life and blessing! –– and not to know Him is everlasting death and cursing! To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen! (~ See Ephesians 1:16-22; Philippians 3; I Tim. 6:11-16; Ephesians 5:14-17; II Peter 3:18; II Peter 1:1-11; Deuteronomy 30:15-20.)
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