The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-06-30

WIDER the circle OF hllOWleuSe IHe
broader the sweep of ignorance. The
higher the hill of vision, the farther
stretch the plains of an undiscovered
country Education is largely a means
for discovering the greatness of ones
ignorance. Here then is the rub.
Here is the disappointment which so
many encounter in reaching up to the
highest and best in life.
The world never knew quite so
much as it does today, so many differ
ent things, and yet was never more
ignorant, profoundly ignorant; that
is, ignorant in the ignorance of the
great masses of men and ignorant too
of the simplest knowledge of true liv-
ing. 1t is good | say ito know" and to
know the most and the best and to
know thoroughly what you do know.
But ito know" cannot be the highest
achievement, for knowledge at best is
only means to an end, pathway up
the mountain side to something still
higher and better.
Another popular standard of excel
lence is contained in the expression
Ito have ITO have" is the highest
attainment, We are told To grow
rich be Independent, have enough for
ones need as well as for ones super
tluities. Our age is infected fear with
the yellow germ of a sordid material
ism No one escapes the contagion.
1t is an epidemic. The old Hebrews
worshipped calf of gold. American
people are guilty of like oatry. 1t
is the yellow peril of the white man.
The love of money has become the
root of so much evil Not that we
would have these young friends depre-
ciate the value Of money. 1t is very
handy stuff to have but likewise very
dangerous to handle. How rare the
wisdom that reckons ii at its proper
value, keeping it strictly as a servant,
obedient TO ones beck and call and
ready for use in any noble cause. In
the partnership of a pure and holy
purpose, the power o. money seems
almost omnipotent." And, yet. if ito
have and to hold" were mans highest
achievement, then it would mean that
mans best estate would be that of a
safety vault: his coat-of-arms, a
clutching hand; his ideal, a large es-
tate-a palatial residence, with a Win
ton or a Ford and a steam yacht
thrown in.
1t is good ito have"-to have for
ones needs and others. But ito
have" as in the case of ito know" is
only means to an end and there
fore cannot be and is not the highest
and the best
One more standard of excellence is
to do "Who are you?" Philadel-
phia asks one. What are you worth %
New York inquiries. What do you
know" Boston is ready to interro-
gate. What can you do?" is the
passport to position in the windy city
Of the West. ITO do" is good. 1t is
a step we have taken in advance, for
If ito know" and ito have" are good
then Ito do" is better since the man
VINO does something is putting his
knowledge and money into useful cur,
rency. When brain power and golC
treasure are in the possession Of mer
and women with hands outstretcheC
in useful service for others, one O
life's noblest missions is being achiev
ed. To be educated and yet to be in
active is sin-the sin of a man whC
hides his talent in a napkin. To b.
rich and not to use the gift for others
needs as well as for self converts Z
man into a Dead sea, lying far dcwI
in the earth's depression.
Yes. Service for others is a worthy
ideal, a noble mission, and yet not IN,
highest and the best Because 30 do
is the effect Of "to be- Cause pre-
cedes effect Character precedes do
ing. Service for others Is the ont
flow Of something deeper down thar
itself The man who aims TO DO" "a
the main achievement of his life vii
soon become discouraged n he doe