DO YOUR OWN FISHING

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 31, 1881

DO YOUR OWN FISHING.

You'll never catch any of the golden fish that swim in the world's waters by standing with your hands in your pockets and watching another hold the pole. It is a thing that cannot be done. If you expect fish, you will have to dig your own bait, put the tempting morsel on your own hook, throw in your own line, hold your own rod and closely watch for the nibbles. Seeing another's cork go under, won't do you the least particle of good; loafing upon the shore and gaping at others while spreading and drawing nets, won't fill either your stomach or barrel. You might just as well attempt by taking hold of the straps of your boots to carry your sluggish avordupois over a mud puddle. The one is about as sensible as the other. You have got to fish for yourself—even "cutting bait" won't answer. It is the only pathway to success. Fish don't come for the whistling or the wishing. They are wary and have to be tempted. If you expect to have them, you have got to "go for them," in more senses than one.

Do your own fishing. The world is a great herring pond, and your chance is as good as that of your neighbor, if you choose the right kind of bait, use diligence, have patience, and take advantage of tide and time. Golden fishes swim about in plenty and are caught, but another cannot do it for you. Every successful man owes independence to his individual energy and enterprise. Standing on a rock all the day and looking and hoping never yet filled a basket. Here is a story to the point and you can "hook" success upon it if you follow its precepts:—

A young man stood listlessly watching some anglers on a bridge. He was poor and dejected. At last approaching a basket filled with wholesome looking fish, he sighed:—

"If now I had these I would be happy. I could sell them for a good price, and buy me food and lodgings."

"I will give you just as many, and just as good fish," said the owner, who had chanced to overhear his words, "if you will do me a trifling favor."

"And what's that?" asked the other.

"Only to tend this line till I come back, I wish to go on a short errand."

The proposal was gladly accepted. The old man was gone so long that the young man began to be impatient. Meanwhile the hungry fish snapped greedily at the baited hook, and the young man lost all his depression in pulling them in; and when the owner of the line returned, he had caught a large number. Counting out from them as many as were in the basket, and presenting them to the young man, the old fisherman said:—

"I fulfill my promise from the fish you have caught, to teach you whenever you see others earning what you need, to waste no time in fruitless wishing, but cast a line for yourself."