King's Business - 1913-06

THE KING’S BUSINESS

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thè carrying out of his designs. But this fact does not explain all, for many of his companions who were equally fortunate did not show any such steadfastness of life. The power of perseverance was within, and it kept him single-eyed and surefooted. He saw his goal, and he ran straight for it without wavering. This led to more than self-control; it made him a man of self-imposed law. He scheduled his life, and lived accordingly. There was a time for sleep, a time for wak­ ing, a time for prayer, a time for Bi­ ble study, a time for general study, a time for recreation, and a time for social intercourse. He owned a “Big Ben” clock, and there was a covenant between himself and it. I have seen him in the evening, in the midst of engaging and enticing company, glance at the time, and then courteous­ ly but resolutely force himself away to room, bed, and sleep. He needed much sleep, for he was not as strong, as he appeared, and his eye was on the next morning, when he purposed to keep the “morning watch.” Thus it was in all things. By God’s grace he was not a slave to life ; he was the master of it, being master of himself. And so it was that he persistently pur­ sued his ideals, and realized many of them. Through one event and an­ other he went forward, going farther and farther on, and higher and higher up. It would be wholly just to put upon his tomb the Spirit’s words: “Steady, until the going down of the sun.” A LIFE OF GOOD JUDGMENT It was a life of good judgment. William Borden had been signally honored for one so young. He was a director of the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, a director of the National Bible Institute of New York City, and a council member of the China Island

by sight; and thus he knew much of the victory which overcomes the world. A LIFE W ITH A VISION .It was a life with a vision. Borden had had the privilege, after leaving the Hill School and before entering Yale, of journeying around the world in company with the Rev. Walter Erdman, now of Korea, That journey had opened his eyes. He saw that America was not all; indeed, that it was comparatively a small part. He discerned that heathenism was black, foul, revolting; that the so-called “Eight of Asia” was a myth and a deceit, and that men afar as near needed Jesus Christ. And he never forgot what he saw. Thereafter, whether in play or study, in relaxation or service, he was always looking be­ yond, outward, to the great masses who needed Christ and himself. This was the explanation of what was a seemingly unnatural element in his life, as evidenced, for instance, when he determined to sail for Cairo just before Christmas instead of just after that day. The constraint, born of a compelling vision, was upon him, and led him to press eagerly forward. By faith he saw the regnant Christ, and in remembrance he saw men far away in all their pitiable need. An esteemed friend asked him just before he left for Cairo why he was purposing to throw his life away in foreign service. He answered simply, but firmly: “You have never seen heathenism!” A LIFE OF STEADFASTNESS It was a life of steadfastness. From the time of his decision to be a foreign missionary he never wavered in pur­ pose or pursuit. He had exceptional advantages as compared with many young men, having money to use for

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