Harvard, one of the top learning institute in the world started out as a place to train Christian ministers. It was rooted in the sound doctrine of the Holy Scripture and in the pursuit of the only true knowledge, to know God and Jesus Christ. The following is an excerpt of Harvard’s “Rules and Precepts” adopted in 1646, almost 400 years ago. It surely serves as a reminder of the origin of this great school. That it once was a spiritual place, a place where people seek and pursuit to know God.
“1. Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3) and therefore to lay Christ in the bottome, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and Learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisedome, Let every one seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seeke it of him (Prov. 2:3). (Emphasis mine)”
I believe this precept is not only fit for students of Christian institutes, but it is fit for every Christian. As a parent and a teacher, it is important to set the goal for the children and students. There can be many goals for different age and different levels. But, all the things that we want our children and students to do should be of one purpose only, that is that they may know God and His Christ! To know God and Christ, to love Him, to follow Him, to obey Him, and to serve Him, should be the only purpose of why we learn. Indeed, it should have been the only purpose of why we live!
followers of His glory 