A BOY'S RESOLVE | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 17, 1888

A BOY'S RESOLVE.

YEARS ago a German boy read of the siege of Troy, and made up his mind to find the ruins of that ancient city. Troy had perished three thousand years ago—if indeed it ever existed at all. But, said the little German, I will find it. Though a poor lad, slaving at work until bed-time, he procured books and taught himself six or seven languages. He pushed on and prospered, until as a merchant he had made a fortune. Every step of this study and money-making was taken with the aim of fulfilling the vow of his boyhood. In due time he started eastward with a company of laborers, and for long, long years pursued his search. At last he found Troy. His discovery was a sensation through all Europe. A few years ago the treasures of gold, silver, and bronze, dug out of the palace of the Trojan king, were exhibited at South Kensington. For three thousand years the buried ruins of that city had lain covered with sand, and by many it was regarded only as the fabled creation of poetry, but Dr. Schliemann, at his own expense and by his amazing enterprise, proved the discovery to the world. Think of it. A poor lad learning languages, making money, spending seven years or more in far-away deserts, sustained through a life-time by one fixed resolution. He vowed in boyhood that he would find Troy, and he did find it. This German lad said, "Put down my name," and when life was far spent he succeeded in hacking his way into the temple of fame.

Now, if we can find truth and God, if we can find glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life, is it not worth while, for the sake of these imperishable possessions, to summon up our uttermost resolution, and to pursue our aim with diligence through the swift years of our mortal pilgrimage? They do it for a corruptible crown, but we for an incorruptible. Do it with thy might.—Band of Hope Review.