<h2><SPAN name="KNIFE_LESSONS" id="KNIFE_LESSONS" /><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_56" id="Page_56"></SPAN>[56]</span>KNIFE LESSONS</h2>
<p>I have here a knife. It was given me by a friend, a token of his
affection and esteem, when I went aboard the steamer in Manila,
Philippine Islands, to return to the homeland. All these years since
then the knife has been on my study desk, daily teaching me. What
lessons does this knife teach?</p>
<p>First of all the knife tells me of Strength. The most important part of
this knife is what <i>I</i> call the backbone. It is the main portion of the
knife to which all the blades are fastened, as well as the polished
pearl handle. This would be a weak and useless knife did it not have a
backbone. It says to me every day "Be strong, stand up, have
convictions, be steadfast."</p>
<p>Lesson number two, Discipline. This knife has been subjected to many
trials and tests. The steel of which these blades are made had to go
through a hard, hot, trying process before they were tempered and fit to
take an edge and hold it. Sometimes I rebel about certain <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_57" id="Page_57"></SPAN>[57]</span>processes of
the days, then I think of my knife and learn from it the lesson of
discipline.</p>
<p>The third lesson this knife teaches me is Neatness. Now I can picture
the man who bought this knife. As he went into the store, he stood
before the glass show case wherein were displayed scores of different
kinds of knives. There were dark knives and light knives, big knives and
little knives. His eye caught this knife, with its graceful lines, its
smooth pearl handle, and he said, "That is a neat knife, I'll take that
one." People are attracted to you by your neatness.</p>
<p>The fourth lesson is Usefulness. Really it is quite wonderful the
variety of uses to which this knife can be put. Here is a big blade, and
a small blade; here is a blade with a file; folded in the back is a tiny
pair of scissors. So the great test of life is its usefulness.</p>
<p>MEMORY VERSE, <i>I Corinthians</i> 9: 22</p>
<div class="blockquot"><p>"I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."</p>
</div>
<p>MEMORY HYMN [545]</p>
<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
<span><i>"Jesus calls us."</i><br/></span></div>
</div>
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