Source and Aim of True Education
9
this knowledge is revealed. Whatever line of investigation we pursue,
with a sincere purpose to arrive at truth, we are brought in touch with
the unseen, mighty Intelligence that is working in and through all. The
mind of man is brought into communion with the mind of God, the
finite with the Infinite. The effect of such communion on body and
mind and soul is beyond estimate.
In this communion is found the highest education. It is God’s own
method of development. “Acquaint now thyself with Him” (
Job 22:21
),
is His message to mankind. The method outlined in these words was
the method followed in the education of the father of our race. When
in the glory of sinless manhood Adam stood in holy Eden, it was thus
that God instructed him.
In order to understand what is comprehended in the work of edu-
cation, we need to consider both the nature of man and the purpose of
God in creating him. We need to consider also the change in man’s
condition through the coming in of a knowledge of evil, and God’s
[15]
plan for still fulfilling His glorious purpose in the education of the
human race.
When Adam came from the Creator’s hand, he bore, in his physical,
mental, and spiritual nature, a likeness to his Maker. “God created
man in His own image” (
Genesis 1:27
), and it was His purpose that
the longer man lived the more fully he should reveal this image—
the more fully reflect the glory of the Creator. All his faculties were
capable of development; their capacity and vigor were continually to
increase. Vast was the scope offered for their exercise, glorious the
field opened to their research. The mysteries of the visible universe—
the “wondrous works of Him which is perfect in knowledge” (
Job
37:16
)—invited man’s study. Face-to-face, heart-to-heart communion
with his Maker was his high privilege. Had he remained loyal to God,
all this would have been his forever. Throughout eternal ages he would
have continued to gain new treasures of knowledge, to discover fresh
springs of happiness, and to obtain clearer and yet clearer conceptions
of the wisdom, the power, and the love of God. More and more fully
would he have fulfilled the object of his creation, more and more fully
have reflected the Creator’s glory.
But by disobedience this was forfeited. Through sin the divine
likeness was marred, and well-nigh obliterated. Man’s physical powers
were weakened, his mental capacity was lessened, his spiritual vision