Paul's advice to Timothy was, "Give attendance to reading." 1 Tim. 4:13. Not everyone loves to read, but the art of reading can be and should be cultivated. To do this, begin to read, and keep at it until there is a real love for reading. By perseverance, we shall find that we have formed a wonderfully pleasant habit.
There are many persons who do not have the time for reading which they desire. There are others who have never acquired the art of reading systematically. Some are handicapped by an incomplete education. It ought to be a genuine relief to all to know that wonders can be effected by one who is willing to apply himself in this matter, and that a most valuable education can be obtained though school days are far behind. Dr. Herrick Johnson was right when he said, "If a man will read four hours a day at anything, he will become a wise man."
Do not read with the intention of immediately forgetting what has been read, for everything read and forgotten tends toward the habit of forgetting. It is important to be selective in the matter of reading,—to read with a purpose, and to read the best books. For earnest, studious, purposeful reading, books should be chosen from the foremost ranks, and carefully read. Such reading will put us on speaking terms with the most profound thinkers and the master minds of the world.
The noble powers of the mind should be esteemed too highly to permit of degrading them by devouring intellectual trash. A few great books, like those which have built up the permanent literature of the world, well mastered, will put more backbone and moral sinew into a person than can result from skimming a multitude of ordinary and lightweight books.
In such purposeful reading it is a great help to have the benefit of the judicious care which is exercised by a representative committee in selecting the volumes which make up the Ministerial Reading Course. Time is well spent in reading these carefully selected books. Read them with care. Think about what you read. Make the matter your own; master it. Such reading will enlarge the mind, the viewpoint, the knowledge, and the experience.
