Enduring Beauty

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  “Beauty is the quality which makes to endure. In a house that I know, I have noticed a block of spermaceti lying about closets and mantel-pieces, for twenty years together, simply because the tallow-man gave it the form of a rabbit; and, I suppose, it may continue to be lugged about unchanged for a century. Let an artist scrawl a few lines or figures on the back of a letter, and that scrap of paper is rescued from danger, is put in portfolio, is framed and glazed, and, in proportion to the beauty of the lines drawn, will be kept for centuries. Burns writes a copy of verses, and sends them to a newspaper, and the human race take charge of them that they shall not perish.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson. (1803–1882).   Essays and English Traits.

Getting a Complete Education

Adapted from "To Be Educated" by Carolyn C.

If I learn my ABCs, can read 600 words per minute,
and can write with perfect penmanship,
But have not learned how to communicate with the
Designer of all language,
My education is not complete.

If I have memorized addition facts,
multiplication tables, and chemical formulas,
But have never disciplined myself to hide God's Word
in my heart,
My education is not complete.

If I can classify animals by their family, genus,
and species and can write a lengthy scientific paper
that wins an award,
But have not been introduced to the
Maker's purpose for all creation,
My education is not complete.

If I can recite the Gettysburg Address and the
Preamble to the Constitution,
But have not been informed of the hand of God in the
history of our country,
My education is not complete.

If I can play the piano, the violin,
six other instruments,
and can write music that moves men to tears,
But have not learned to listen to the Director
of the universe and worship Him,
My education is not complete.

If I can run cross-country races,
star in basketball,
and do 100 push-ups without stopping,
But have never bent my will to do God's will,
My education is not complete.

However, if one day I see the world as God sees it
and come to know Him Whom to know is life eternal,
and glorify God by fulfilling His purpose for me,
Then, my education is complete!

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