It Means Sacrifice

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Aug 30, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 34.

It Means Sacrifice

“It Means Sacrifice.”— Yes, it does. Everything in this world which is of worth demands sacrifice. If one is poor in this world's goods, he may have to pinch and save. It is worth it. He may have to deny himself in appetite, in pleasures; he may have to wear cheaper clothing and for a longer time. He may not be able to dress in the latest fashion, wear dollar ties, or five-dollar shoes. He may have to eschew the society of some young woman who would waste his time and money. These are not only a part of the price, but a part of the education, a part of the invaluable discipline of life. We know one young man who wore in his school days trousers (“pants” perhaps would be better) pieced down at the bottom. We know another who blacked over his stockings so that the holes in his shoes would not show on graduation day. These little things would be mountains to the boy whose heart was set on fashion with its conventionalities; they were partial payments for tuition in a working education to the young men who experienced them. Such self-denials are mighty helpers in making the man.

Safeguards.— Then, too, plain dressing and limited income and forced economy save not only in expense, but in time. Such economy does not make for fashionable friends, does not receive invitations to parties, soirées, clubs, entertainments, demanding wasteful extravagance of time and means. It may seem hard at times to the human heart which loves them all; but if the true metal be there, earnest, whole-souled study will take their place, and from the more studious, less too public life there will come clearer visions of duty and possibilities. We bid good cheer to the young man who must economize, but we do not pity him. He does not ask for it; it does not fit him; some day many will envy him that experience. Let him not look back nor look down, but look up and look on, and trust God. The eternal future will vindicate any sacrifice for a noble cause, for a worthy object.