Pith in Exposition [pp. 619-636]

PITH IN EXPOSITION.
III. Again, it is desirable, even if not absolutely necessary,
that popular exposition should be rich in accumulated knowledge.
Many illiterate persons have be3n greatly blessed in the
work of expounding Scripture. The Lord multiply such and
be with them! Let no scholar forbid those whlom the Master
has commissioned. But most of suchd expounders are peculiarly
rich in that knowledge which comens from ob)servation, if not in
that which comes from books. Mlost of them also frankly regret their own lack of learning. Beyoind this, thteiir cases are
certainly to be regarded as exceptional. They are not fair instances to allege against the need of learning as atn aid in the
work of exposition.
Extensive information is important as conduini-g to accuracy,
the great value of which we have already3 noticed. Our mistakes
are largely due to our narrowness. However carefully the tyro
studies the particular thing he is upon, he yet knows too little
about other things to enable him to discriminate it from them.
Wideness of knowledge presupposes wideness of study, and
therefore implies habits conducive to accuracy. In general,
those who are mentally most affluenrt, make relatively the fewest
mistakes.
Learning commands respect. It sounds well, and this is no
despicable consideration in a world where sound goes for so
much, even in matters of religion. As wealth draws a certain
respect to itself, so large information conmmands a peculiar respect of its own. We also respect the possessor of either
wealth or knowledge for the mental and moral excellencies
presumptively indicated by his acquisitions. Even a pedantic
parade of knowledge goes for much in certain quarters. And
when there is no pedantic parade, but only the natural cropping
out of the treasures of a richly-stored iind, every utterance
commands respect, not only for what it is in itself, but for vlwhat
it indicates as existing behind it, and thus has double wei,ghlt.
Extensive and varied attainments best supply that copiousness whereby one may provide each reader or hearer wnith what
each one needs. One who has abundant stores of his own will
be able to find in them something for everybody. As it is a
great advantage to a lawyer to have so good a foundation of
liberal culture that when he tries a case which involves questions
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