Getting Results by J. O. Johnston

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 4, 1908

Getting Results

By J. O. Johnston

In education as in everything else it is results which count. No matter what the hindering cause may be, no matter how many obstacles may confront, if a man gets no results in his undertakings, he is a failure. He will be judged by only one standard—results.

The history of the men who have made a success in life reveals that kind of courage which never says “can't.” The young man who feels that he has no opportunity to gain an education is mistaken. He is looking at life from the wrong view-point.

“Poverty, humble origin, and unfavorable surroundings need not prevent the cultivation of the mind.” He needs to see that circumstances are largely under his own control, and that by invincible determination he can make circumstances his servant.

“Search, study, and pray; face every difficulty manfully and vigorously; call the power of will and the grace of patience to your aid, and then dig more earnestly till the gem of truth lies before you, plain and beautiful, all the more precious because of the difficulties involved in finding it.” Such is the only instruction given by the Spirit of God, and it should fire every young man with an inspiration which would carry him on to victory and success.

With many the difficulties of obtaining an education lie in the direction of financial embarrassment. The young man who goes to school, and takes with him a well-filled trunk of clothes, with the assurance from his parents that his bills will be settled each month, knows very little of the real struggles of those youth who, having reached the age of eighteen or twenty years, are told by their parents that they may go to school if they can find a place where they will be permitted to work for their board and tuition. They start out with no money, no books, and a very limited supply of clothing, and the attempt is made to gain an education. Now comes the real test. Will the young man's courage stand the ordeal of several years' struggle? Too often it fails before the goal is reached; and it is right here where many of our young people need a helping hand. A few words of encouragement, and a little financial help, will often save the day, change the whole life current, and out of discouragement and failure bring grand results. J. O. JOHNSTON.