The Pulpit Speaks: February 11, 1956

An article written by my father, the Rev. C. Thomas Paige, as it appeared in the Tri-State Defender on the date shown.

WHAT IS THIS STUFF CALLED KNOWLEDGE?

Hidden in the pages of the Bible is the quotation which has meant much to me: “But this I know, whereas once I was blind, I know see.” This week, I am going to concern myself with just the first phrase: “But this I know.” It could have easily read “But this I have a knowledge concerning” or “But I have knowledge of this.”

However one turns the word order, the general theme is not changed too much. In this statement we have underlying all else the belief of one who feels that since I have this knowledge, I also have a responsibility. This is a far cry from the modern interpretation of knowledge. Many of us who have been fortunate enough to gain certain knowledge feel that it is now a means of setting up certain barriers whereby we declare ourselves a little better than the “unfortunates” who did not get to college or to school at all. Maybe. Maybe some of your ideas are well founded. Maybe the value some of you have placed upon yourself since you came in possession of knowledge is a means of ostracizing one’s self from his obligations. But to me the very fact that I have been fortunate enough to get an education – to get a small amount of knowledge – means that to that extent, I am indebted to those about me.

LIVING EVIDENCE

In far too many instances as we engage ourselves in conversations, our first concern becomes “Where did you go to school?” I wonder at what point in one’s life does this become a criteria for doing a job well. I wonder if, on the other hand, it should not be unnecessary for one to walk up to me and ask me from what school did I finish? The way I walk, the way I talk, the way I live, my outlook on life should all be undeniable evidences that I have been somewhere where I have been exposed to the better things in life. The very fact that I have dedicated myself to this program or that program is living evidence that I have a knowledge.

Knowledge was never designed to make exhibitionists of us. It makes us conscious of the fact that before us lies a grave task that must be done. George W. Carver saw the plight of people about him and he set out to use the God-given knowledge that their lives might be enhanced. Dr. Charles Drew realized that the knowledge he had concerning the types of blood, blood count, etc. were not his. Booker T. Washington knew that the knowledge that he had was not his. The great hymn writers, painters, composers and other artists down through the ages of man realized that whatever might have been their talents, they were just custodians. We are just custodians of whatever we have. God expects us to use it for the benefit of the extension of His kingdom. In proportion that we fail to use whatever we have for the extension of the kingdom, the kingdom to that extent is not going to be realized.

GRIPS WITH KNOWLEDGE

It was never designed that one should use knowledge as a means of self-glorification, yet I come in contact with many people who, for some unfounded reason, feel that because I am this, I can’t be seen with this or that person. Let me tell you – in many instances, it would be far better that you were seen with that person.

Today we need a people who have really come to grips with knowledge as never before. Knowledge speaks to the intelligent mind and tells it that it is a servant now. It speaks to the prepared head and tells it that it is a tool now. It speaks to the trained and skilled hand and gives it a new sense of responsibility. It is not now a medium of making money but rather a medium of helping the less fortunate. Knowledge makes a man work all day trying to work out some problem. Knowledge makes a man see his fellow man in a totally new light. Knowledge makes us pull back the scales of ignorance from the eyes of the less fortunate, knowing that when we do it, we are making a new competitor for our position. Knowledge makes us shed greed, hatred, smallness, prejudices, etc., and leads us to a higher and nobler realm of usefulness.

AKIN TO SLAVERY

Not too long ago, a lowly rejected Galilean, standing on the shores of Jordan, cried out “YOU SHALL KNOW AND BE FREE.” The lack of knowledge is closely akin to slavery. Yet I hear one who had his share of knowledge saying “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” It is my unbiased belief that in the final analysis, this is what is actually true with far too many of us. We are under the illusion that we have, when in reality, we don’t have. When we really get all out of knowledge that we can, we will be a changed people.

Today knowledge makes men free as never before. The cry for today is that men will become possessors of a knowledge tempered with love, tempered with truth, tempered with wisdom, and tempered with a Godly spirit that will enable all of us to live in this world as sane people.