Ver. 9.-.An open mind. There are two classes of minds that seem to be 11rmour~ proof against the invasion of new light. One contains those people who, to use th~ phraseology of the Roman Catholic Church, are in a state of "invincible ignora1ice.n 'l'he other contains the much more numerous people who know just enough to 'feel a pride of superiority to their fellows, and who wrap thrmselves up in the infallibHity of self-conceit. To these persons Pope's often misapplied maxim may be' fai\·ly appropriated- • u A li1tle knowledge is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pieria,n spring." ']'be truly wise man will be the first to see the limits of his knowledge and the in6mte nirrht of ionorance with which the little spot of light that be bas as yet gained 'is fiu7-rounded. Having drunk of the wells of truth, he will have found his thirst n6t slaked, but stimulated; be will be a philosopher, a lover of wisdom. Such a man will have an open mind. 1. CoKSIDER THE CHARACTERISTICS OF AN OPEN :r.n~m. 1. It is 'not an empty mind. A man may be prepared to receive fresh light without abandoning the light he already possl·sses. The seeker after tru~h need ~ot be a sceptic.. There may be many things clearly seen and firmly grasped m the mmd of one who 1s ready to welcome all new truth. 2. It is not a weak mind. If a man is not a bigot; he tieed not be like a ~buttle-cock, driven about by every wind of doctrine. He will sift truth. He will con~ider new ideas calmly, impartially, judicially. 3. An open mind. is willing to receive truth fr(,m any quarter. It ruay come from a despised teacher, from a rival, from an enemy. The open mind will not exclaim," Can any good thing cor~e out of Nazareth? 11 4. An open mind is rca<ly to receive unpJ,,asant truth. The new light may threatcn'to err. ix. 1-18.J 'I'HE PROVERBS. 187
interfere with the vested interests of ancient beliefs, it may expose the folly of Jon"'• cherished crotch_ets, it may unsettle much of on~'s established convi_ctions, it m:y reveal truths which o.re themselves unpalatable, or 1t may wound our pnde by exposing our errors. Still, the open mind will receive it on one condition-that it is genuine truth. 5. Such characteristics must be based on wisdom and justice. It is the wise man and the just who is ready to receive instruction. No small amount of practical wisdom is requisite for tho discernment of truth amidst the distractions of prejudice. Justice is a more important characteristic. Indeed, it is one of the fundamental condi- tions of truth-seeking. Science and philosophy would progress more rapidly, and theology would be less confused by the conflicts of bitter sectaries, if men could but learn to be fair to other inquirers, and to take no exaggerated views of the importance of their own notions. II. THE ADVANTAGES OF AN OPEN MIND, 1. The open mind will attain most truth. Truth is practically infinite. But our knowledge of it varies according as we are able to attain to a large and yet a discriminating receptivity. 'l'o the nut its shell is its universe. The man who locks himself up in the dungeon of prejudice will never see anything but his own prison-walls. 2. Every attainment in knowledge prepares the way for receiving more knowledge. It intensifies the desire of possessing truth. Thus the inquirer may say- " The wish to know-that endless thirst, Which ev'n by quenching is e.wak'd, And which becomes or bleat or caret As is the fount whereat 'tis sle.k'd- Still urged me onward, with desire Inse.tiate, to explore, inquire." .. But not only is the thirst thus stimulated. Future knowledge grows upon past experience. Knowledge is not an endless level plain, to reach one <listrict of which we must lea.ve another. It is more like a great building, and as we rise from story to story, we gain new treasures by mounting on those previously possessed. 'rhe more we know, the easier is it to increase knowledge. This applies to religious as well as to secular things. Prophets and devout people were the first to welcome the advent of the Light of the world (see Luke ii. 25-38). The more the Christian knows, the more will he be able to see of new spiritual truths. 'l'hus he will come to welcome instruction with thankfulness. Ver. 12.-True sdf-interest. It is the duty of the Christian to bear his brother'~ burden, and the duty of every man to love his neighbour as himself; it is also the privilege of the saiot to lose his life for Christ's sake, and to " spen<l and be spent" in the service of man. But there still remains a right and lawful, and even an obli!!a• tory, regard to self-interest. For one thing, if a man's own heart aud life a.re wrong, his work in the world must be wrong also. I. HE IS NOT TRULY WISE WHOSE OWN SOUL rs NOT SAFE. 1. He may know the truth. The wisdom that can unravel many mysteries is his. He has searched into the deep truths of revelation. A diligent reader of the Bible, he is well acquainted at least with the words that God teaches. But he has never regarded the practical bearing of a.II this truth. It has been to him but a shadow. 'l'hen his own soul may be wrecked, though the way to the haven is clear. 2. He may enlighten others. Perhaps he is e. preacher of the gospel, and is able to hold up the torch to many a wayfarer. He is even urgent in pressing the truth upon his hearers. Or he is a champion for the defence of the truth, arguing vehemently with unbelievers. But all the wh~le he never applies tliis truth to bis own case. Saving others, he is himself a. castaway (1 Cor. ix. 27). 'l'b.e pilot leads the imperilled mariners home, but is <lrowned himself. Surely this is the height of folly ! II. HE WHO IS TRULY WISE WILL PROFIT DY ms WISDOM. 1. He will see the nece;;sity of applying truth to /iimself. '!'bis will be a part of his wisdom. We are all salily tempted to delude ourselves into a false sense of security, aU<l we need light and ~uidance to show us our danger and our course of safety. It is a. mark of God-given wisdom to choose tha.t course. 2. He will recognize the z,ractical bearings of truth. 1t 188 'l'llE PROVERBS. [on. 1x. 1-18,