In view of these solemn truths, of which all human history is one prolonged corroboration,--1. _We should constantly endeavour to grow in knowledge._ "More light!" should be our constant prayer. Every means of acquainting ourselves with God and His will we should diligently use. Let us beware of the temptation indolently to rest in a voluntary ignorance. Voluntary ignorance is no palliation, but a tremendous aggravation of iniquity.[3] 2. _Let us diligently impart to our fellow-men such knowledge as we have already acquired._ Benevolence should move us to do this. We can confer upon our fellow-men no greater or more needed blessing. Self-interest should impel us to the same course. In teaching we learn. In labouring to cause others to see, we ourselves for the first time attain to clear vision. Knowledge is like the bread with which the five thousand were fed; it multiplies as it is dispensed, and when the feast is over, those who carried it to others themselves possess more than they did when the feast began. 3. _Every organisation which exists for the diffusion of knowledge should have our sympathy and support both as patriots and Christians._ This is true even of secular knowledge, but especially of that knowledge which is able to make men "wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."[4] FOOTNOTES: [1] As blindness is the deformity of the face, so is ignorance the deformity of the soul. As the want of fleshly eyes spoils the beauty of the face, so the want of spiritual eyes spoils the beauty of the soul. A man without knowledge is as a workman without his hands, as a painter without his eyes, as a traveller without his legs, or as a ship without sails, or a bird without wings, or like a body without a soul.--_Brooks,_ 1680. [2] Ignorance opens the door for Satan to enter in with his troops of lusts; where the watch is blind, the city is soon taken.--_Gurnall,_ 1617-1679. [3] He that knew not his Lord's will, because he wilfully rejected the means of coming to the knowledge of it, deserves to be beaten with as many stripes as if he had known it and would not. He that will not take notice of the king's proclamation, or will stop his ears when it is read, and afterwards offends against it, does equally deserve punishment with those who have read it, and heard it, and disobey it; because he was as grossly faulty in not knowing it; and there is no reason that any man's gross fault should be his excuse.--_Tillotson,_ 1630-1694.