Encourage the Youth to Have a Purpose

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 9, 1914

Encourage the Youth to Have a Purpose

PARENTS can do much to tide their sons and daughters over the irresponsible period of the “teens” by helping them to early choose a calling, that is, conditionally. Of course no one can tell just what profession he may follow, but it will do no harm, and may do much good, to talk over different callings, and help the young mind to come to a temporary choice.

It is worth everything to have a purpose. The way to have a successful future is to have a successful present. Doing well the work of today is a long step toward doing well the duties of later life. Encourage your child to be brave and true as a boy, and he will be more likely to have higher aims as a man. If you want your daughter to be a successful woman, help her to do well the duties that come to her now. Some one has said, “The whole world is now living the verb ‘to do;’ it is not enough simply ‘to be.’”

“There is more virtue in perspiration than inspiration,” says J. C. Van Dyke. Let there be assigned tasks and definite obligations. Do not be afraid to give a little wholesome praise. “Self-distrust is the cause of half our failures.” “Blessed be drudgery.” It is good for us to be obliged to perform certain duties on schedule time, whether we feel like doing it or not. Kingsley says, “Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done whether you like it or not.”

“Thousands of offenses designated by the law as misdemeanors or crimes are committed during the long vacation each year because an army of boys is turned loose on the community with nothing to do. Their time is not motived,” says a writer on boy life. It is every parent’s duty to keep constantly before the mind of his child an aim, a purpose. Raising a garden, earning money for missions, completing certain studies within a given time, making a garment, anything that is worthy,—it is not so much matter what the thing is, it is the determination and purpose to accomplish something that counts.

It is truly pitiful to see a large number of young people growing up aimlessly—mere driftwood on the sea of life. “Hitch your wagon to a star,” is an inspiring call to every boy and girl to make the most of life. The world is calling for men and women of worth. The cause of God needs leaders “who can neither be bought nor sold, who are as true to duty as the needle to the pole.” Why should parents not hold up these high and holy ambitions before their growing sons and daughters?

“Live for something, have a purpose, And that purpose keep in view; Drifting like a helpless vessel; Thou canst ne’er to life be true. Half the wrecks that strew life’s ocean, If some star had been their guide, Might have long been riding safely; But they drifted with the tide.”