Tonight we add an even greater source of light to that which already glows so brilliantly. Our pool of six lights consists of Faith, Freedom, Courage, Love, Charity and Integrity, but our understanding of all these things would be small, their impact would be almost meaningless without the seventh candle of “Knowledge.”
Knowledge brightens the world, as this candle now brightens this pool of light.
Knowledge seeks out all the dark corners of the world, expels the shadows and brings in the light. Knowledge helps the sick. Knowledge repairs our roads and our cities. Knowledge takes us over the seas. Knowledge transmits our voice and image through the air. Knowledge lifts mankind and carries us through the sky.
Knowledge tills our farms; runs our cars; prints our books; lights our homes; knits our sweaters; cooks our meals; broadens our minds; lifts our spirits.
Yes, all these things knowledge brings to us. If we had no knowledge, we would remain as we are born – we would be helpless.
But God sets a pattern for our development, and with this development comes mankind’s knowledge. All the little things that we later take for granted, we must first know.
We must learn how to say “Mama” and “Daddy”. We learn to chew our first bite.
We must learn to crawl and stand and walk. We must learn that fire burns; that ice is cold; that a knife cuts; that a rock is hard. All these things we must get to know – and as we know them, we have knowledge and this propels us forward.
With knowledge, we may know the value of faith, the joy of freedom, the pride of courage, the tenderness of love, the warmth of charity and the comfort of integrity.
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that obtaineth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. (PROVERBS 3:13,14)