---

Knowledge is pleasant to the mind as light is sweet to the eye. But such pleasantness has its limit. Its pursuit may become painful — "too painful for me." See this in the mercy of the providence of God. Up to a certain point it is delightful to contemplate; but it has also its fearful aspects which forbid too close a scrutiny. So of man's intellectual nature: how pleasant to investigate man's position, prospects, destiny under the government of God. Yet inquiries of this sort lead to dark and fearful issues. What are we to say of the problem of evil under the rule of a benevolent God? And the effect of such inquiries is twofold. Some are made sceptics: others are embarrassed and distressed. Some become angry and do nothing but complain. Others are much troubled and hindered in their religious life. Now, I would offer some considerations by which this feeling of painfulness may be mitigated or removed. And I begin with a confession — that I cannot solve the difficulties of speculative philosophy, nor the problem of the universe. I admit their reality, but they are all of them reducible to a common clement, and to a simple expression. They all prove only this — the imperfection, the restriction of our knowledge, nothing more; and concerning this we note —

I. THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS OF OUR KNOWLEDGE ARE ONLY PART OF A GENERAL SYSTEM. Mystery is everywhere.

II. THEY ARE AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF OUR BEING. There are of necessity mysteries to all created beings. It may be that to God all things are clear, but to us they cannot be, for we are finite and He is infinite.

III. WE HAVE KNOWLEDGE SUFFICIENT FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES. But these are the great purposes for which life is given, and to accomplish them God did not teach any one a theory. Men fed themselves on the fruits of the field long time before they knew botany; sailed on the rivers and seas before they knew the science of navigation. And so our Bible will tell us our duty and what else we really need to know, though on many questions it leaves us where it found us. But how foolish to refuse practical obedience until we can solve the problem of the universe.

IV. RESTRICTED KNOWLEDGE IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN OUR MORAL CONDITION. It tests what is in a man's heart, and gives scope for faith.

V. But restricted as our knowledge is, its field is marvellously ample. See the varied departments of science, natural, intellectual, moral. The expanse is crowded with objects. No one can master them all. And then —

VI. WE ARE IN A POSITION, IS REGARD TO KNOWLEDGE, OF BRILLIANT EXPECTATION. Soon we shall remove to a world where our present limitations will be no more, and where we shall know even as we are known. Therefore have patience. Are you prepared for the discoveries of the other world? Think how momentous they are. Do not, because some things are "too painful " for you to know now, waste your life in inaction and complaint.

(J. H. Hinton, M. A.)

---

---

KJV: When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

WEB: When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me;