Boys generally leave school at about thirteen years of age, but they make
a very great mistake if they leave off learning at that age. Time might
be roughly divided off into four parts--necessary work, work for others,
self-improvement, and recreation. A man's education is never completed.
A man is never too old to learn. Whilst you are a boy and lad you need
to be taught; afterwards you can to a great extent learn for yourself.
You should never be content to remain just where you are, you should
endeavour to make the most of your opportunities, and to advance in
knowledge and capability. You are taught in your catechism to "do your
duty in that state of life unto which it shall please God to call you."
This does not mean that you are not to try and better your position.
Quite the contrary; it means that while you are to go on contentedly in
the station and work which God has allotted to you, you are also to try
and use to the utmost all the opportunities and powers which he has
given. He has called you to your present position, He may be calling you
to something more. If he has given you the power and opportunity of
raising yourself, he meant you to use them. It is a false humility and a
false view of religion that encourages sloth under the pretence of being
contented with one's humble lot. There is God's work--real every day
work to be done in worldly as well as in what seems to be more directly
spiritual work. One's whole interest is not to be centred on earthly
things, neither are we to be so heavenly minded as to neglect earthly
duties, and the talents which God has committed to our trust. It is your
duty then to do your utmost to improve your stock of knowledge. School
has laid the foundation, and you must work at the building. Your own
particular tastes or your work will suggest the subjects to which you
should first turn your attention. Develop the natural powers you have,
and advance steadily from one subject to another. Set apart a certain
portion of your spare time for study and self-improvement. Remember also
that you have certain duties to your neighbours and your country, and
that in order to fulfil them you must understand your position as a man
and a citizen. Read the history both of your own country and of other
lands. Read your paper. Study the questions of the day, both at home
and abroad, and learn to form your own opinion concerning them. Learn to
think for yourself, and not take as gospel all that you read in your
favourite paper. Look at both sides of a question and make up your own
mind. Comparatively few people think for themselves, and for that reason
men are so often carried away by popular leaders, and obstinately follow
opinions, the truth of which they have never tested, and the consequences
of which they have never considered. There are many opportunities in
classes and lectures for men to gain information, but they will be of
little real use unless men will think for themselves, and work out the
subjects instead of taking their opinions ready made. Study, not simply
listen. Study both secular and religious subjects. You may be sure that
there can be no advance in real self-improvement unless it is well
balanced. Religious knowledge should go hand in hand with secular
knowledge. Christ should be our great example in this as in all else,
and He "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men."