I-Have” and “O-Had-I by A. E. Place

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jan 28, 1904

“I-Have” and “O-Had-I”

By A. E. Place

In an old school reader, which I used when a boy, there was a poem with the above heading which impressed me then with its bird figures, but later I learned that it contained valuable lessons which have often helped me in my life-work.

The poet pictured two great figures as birds, the first of which he named, “I-Have,” and the second, “O-Had-I,” and the poem opened something as follows:—

“There are two little songsters abroad in the land; Their names are ‘I-Have’ and ‘O-Had-I.’ ‘I-Have’ will come tamely and perch on my hand; But ‘O-Had-I,’ he mocks me most sadly.”

Those wonderful songsters still live. The heaven in which they fly is the human mind. One or the other, or both, have been within the mental horizon of every son of Adam. Their songs have cheered or mocked us according to the training to which we have been subjected, or to which we have subjected ourselves. Many are to-day listening to the sad, tantalizing mockings of “O-Had-I,” who might arise and move steadily forward with determination, and see “I-Have” come tamely and perch on their hand.

There are doubtless thousands of people who have a desire for a better position, a better education, in fact, a better life, who go right on in the same old way. With long-drawn sighs they hear the mocking song of “O-Had-I, O-Had-I,” and their refrain often is, “It is just my fate. Others can have education and position, but it is not my lot.” This is certainly a miserable bird, and he has a doleful song, and it was time for him to migrate long ago. Methinks that the sound of one strong, firm whistle from “I-Have” would drive him from our “lot” any day in the year. Do you ask how “I-Have” shall be secured? Cease to listen to the mockings of “O-Had-I,” get off the hard seat of “fate,” and make it your business to go after “I-Have.” Call him by name again and again, and be assured that at the top of the hill “Difficult” you will see a gate marked, “Success,” which will open before you, and as you pass through, “I-Have” will come tamely and perch on your hand with a song that will gladden your life forever.

“O-Had-I” is helpful to the extent that his song stirs the body and soul to activity. It is a good thing to desire a good education, a good, honest position, etc., but let all who wish for them remember that “O-Had-I” does not bring the coveted treasure. Desire to be at the top does not put any one up the ladder. We must climb there round by round. Heights worthy of attainment are reached only by patient, painstaking effort. I firmly believe that we have, and shall have, that for which we truly fit ourselves. At the threshold is “grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Are we willing to use it in a legitimate way? It is ours.

I have often heard the expression, “I wish I knew the Bible as well as you do. You seem to turn to any scripture you want, and have it at your tongue’s end.” If the wish would give it, we would all have it. But the question is, Do we really wish it, in view of the long hours and weeks, yes, years, of hard study mingled with prayers and tears that accomplished it in the one we admire? We can doubtless have it at that price.

We listen to the enchanting music which seems literally to run from the nimble fingers of the accomplished pianist, as they glide so rapidly and gracefully up and down the ivory keys. We draw a long breath, and enthusiastically exclaim, “O-Had-I.” How I wish I could play like that! I would give anything to be able to play like that. Isn’t it perfectly wonderful? Yes, it is wonderful, and in our admiration of the wonderful we fail to see or appreciate the hours spent with awkward thumbs and stiff fingers, the long hours of tedious practise on major, minor, and chromatic scales, and almost endless work with harmony and technique, and, by the patient toil and polish of years in the life of another, we feel ourselves lifted from our very seats to a pinnacle of ecstasy, and we exclaim, “O-Had-I,” and dare to wish to remain as a companion and equal with this polish of hard, long years without paying the price. But when the sermon or the music is over, we gradually find ourselves back on the same old earth once more, and face to face with the problem, “Shall I pay the price?” If any wish to buy it, let him know at once that wealth will not purchase the gift. Your name or family does not bring it. No artifice or deception can catch it. In a word, there is no “royal road” in this matter. We must rise by proper growth to the level of our good desires, or we can never reach them. It is useless to wish if we

are unwilling or do not intend to pay the price.

While music, painting, or any of the fine arts of the day are desirable, and properly used are blessings to those who reach them, the pearl of great price is the perfected life of the true Christian. Nothing can stir the soul with such power and lasting effect as the polish of a Christian life. There is where the major and minor chords reach a rhythm, the depth and richness of which thrill the hearts of angels, and cause even the great God and Father of all to “hearken.” A. E. PLACE.

(To be concluded)