p. 366 | Two Apprentices

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Dec 4, 1879

Two Apprentices.

Two boys were in a carpenter shop. One determined to make himself a thorough workman; the other "didn't care." One read and studied, and got books that would help him to understand the principles of his trade. He spent his evenings at home, reading. The other liked fun best. He went off with the other boys to have fun.

"Come," he often said to his shopmate, "leave your books; go with us. What's the use of all this reading?"

"If I waste these golden moments," was the reply, "I shall lose what I can never, never make up."

While the boys were still apprentices, an offer of two thousand dollars appeared through the newspapers, for the best plan for a State-house to be built in the Eastern States. The studious boy saw the advertisement, and determined to try for it. After careful study, he drew his plans, and sent them to the committee. I suppose he did not really expect to win the prize, but there is nothing like trying.

It was not long before the committee of gentlemen arrived at the carpenter shop, and asked if an architect by the name—mentioning the boy's name—lived there.

"No," said the carpenter, "no architect. I've got an apprentice by that name."

"Let's see him," said the committee. The young man was called, and sure enough, his plan had been accepted, and the two thousand dollars were his.

The committee then said he must put up the building; and the employer was so proud of his success that he willingly gave him his time, and let him go.

This studious carpenter's boy became one of the best architects of our country. He made a fortune, and stands high in the esteem of everybody; while his fellow apprentice can hardly earn by his daily labor daily bread for himself and family.

Who loses a youth of improvement loses the best beginning which a boy can make in life.