Self-Made Men by Methodist Recorder

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 2, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 26.

Self-Made Men.

By Methodist Recorder

WE sometimes hear a great deal about self-made men. The fact is, every man that amounts to anything, it matters not what his capabilities or opportunities, is a self-made man. Capacity and opportunity never made any man great or good. A man's capacity must be developed and his opportunities improved before either of these results can be attained, and this is a work that devolves upon himself. One man, it matters not what efforts he may make, cannot develop the talents and improve the opportunities of another. Every man must build up his own character, and determine his own destiny. He may be greatly assisted in this, but without his own efforts all assistance will be in vain. This is as true in the Christian life as it is in everything else. Hence the apostle exhorts us to build ourselves up on our most holy faith. Christ, the great author and finisher of our faith, is the only true foundation on which we must build; and, building on this foundation, in the faithful use of the means which God has ordained, we must cultivate all the virtues and develop all the graces of the Christian character, if we would attain to the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus. Notwithstanding all the aids, human and divine, that may be afforded a man, the development of his Christian character ultimately devolves upon himself. Individual effort, individual responsibility, and individual destiny are inseparably connected. A man is usually influenced by his environments, but notwithstanding this, he is at last what he makes himself. He possesses a self-determining power that fixes his character and destiny. How important that this power be properly exercised.—Methodist Recorder.