The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-02-18
THE DISCIPLINE OF EXPERIENCE.

THE DISCIPLINE OF EXPERIENCE.
Although the test to which man is at times
put at the hands of experience may appear
unduly severe, the benefit derived from its
tutorship is certainly inestimable. Many
persons respected for knowledge and wis.,
dom have never enjoyed any other instruc-
ton. Experience holds the chair OF philos-
ophy 1t invites each man to study of
himself 1t discloses his powers and weak
nesses. 1t pleads for ideals. 1t emphasizes
the espousal of morality and the avoidance
of immortality. 1t tells how the blessing OF
prosperity should be enjoyed and how the
burden of adversely should be borne.
Experience leads man to the contempla-
ton of human nature in general. 1t dwells
upon the sensibilities of others. 1t exhib-
its the virtues of our fellows and exposes
their foibes. 1t accentuates the consider
alton they should be shown and cautions
against condemnation.
Remarkable as is the work experience
does, it is not any more remarkable than the
method it employs. It's method is thorough
~ scientific and practical. It teaches by
illustration. 1t appeals to the physical
and psychical senses. 1t presents the con-
crete fact and lets the pupil translate the
law into his own language. To make him
appreciate that his duty to self consists in
the unfolding of higher life it exhorts
man to review not only his own past and
the results of his own feelings, thoughts
and deeds, but also the past and the effects
of the feelings, thoughts and deeds of his
fellows. To cause him to realize his re-
sponsbillty to others it brings him face to
face with the reward of goodness and the
punishment of evil.
Although everybody should seek to avail
himself of the valuable lessons of this
teacher of teachers, yet there are those
who do not profit by the valuable training
offered. Despite frequent admonitions to
illustrate the best of which man is capable,
there are people who grovel in the lowest
depths Of godlessness. Despite the numer-
Gus exhortations to be considerable to others,
there are persons who are stepped in the
wors: forms of heartlessness. Despite the
constant declarations of heaven and earth
that God rules, there are individuals who
are too blind to see Him. To most men
as Coleridge puts it-experience is like the
stern lights of ship which illumine only
the track it has passed. A wise Greek was
once asked what would render life most
pleasant and comfortable. His answer
was, Experience. Would that the place
experience occupies in the education of
mankind were more generally appreciated,
its teachings more conscientiously execut-
ed, its warnings more faithfully needed
How much happier the world would be
Many the failures which would then never
ensue, the disappointments which would
never be suffered, the heart aches which
would never be felt, the signs which would
never be uttered, and the tears which would
never be shed! All humanity would rise
up and pronounce existence priceless gift
from heaven, instead of vexing burden
to be patiently borne.
Let every man registered as he is by his
Heavenly Father in the school of life tt
become worthy Of the title mantle high
est of all titles-bestow undivided atten-
ton upon whatever experience aims te
inculcate, and he needs must leave earth
with the consciousness of having gotter
out of life all the blessed truth which life
yields, and of having belonged to the
prudent who "foresee evil and hide them.
selves,'' and not to ''the simple who pass
on, and are punished