THE KING’S BUSINESS
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Mission. In these various organiza tions he sat and counseled with men much his' senior in years. And yet the disparity of age was seldom no ticed. There was an equality of mind which made him one with those with whom he was associated. None could help noticing the freshness of thought and the enthusiasm of spirit that were the characteristics of his youth; and all rejoiced in these. But these were not the signs of immature judgment. When he spoke it was discovered that he was thinking carefully and broad ly. He was a constant illustration of the fact that it is no vain thing for a man—even a young man—to fulfil the Apostle’s injunction: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” Christ, through the study of the Word and through prayer, was made unto him “wisdom.” His advice, therefore, was sought for by not a few, who in the average case would have gone to the man of more years. And he sel dom failed to help. If he did fail, because of inexperience, his eagerness to be of assistance made him a greater help than the' average man would have been, though more wise through more exeprience. For one so vigorous in mind, he was very teach able. And being teachable, he was easily taught. Thus he learned and matured beyond his years and fellows. It was the story of Joseph over again, mentally and otherwise: “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a pros perous man.” . It was a life of love. Some thought, as I have said, that Borden lacked sentiment. And there was some ap parent reason for the assumption. He had lived to the age of twenty-five, and was without engagement or ack nowledged attachment. Moreover, he calmly and deliberately put thoughts A LIFE OF LOVE
of a married life resolutely aside. One reason why he liked the China Is land Mission was that it required its candidates to go to the field single, and to remain thus' while first study ing the language; that is, for about two years; and he willingly purposed to fulfil this condition. In addition, as said, he was not emotional, and hence he found it difficult to show his feelings, or even to speak of them. But the person who concluded for any or all of these reasons that William Borden did not lpve knew little about „him or about love. As for his per sonal experience, love was sacred, and lay deep within his heart, a hid den and sealed fountain; and as for love, according to God’s own esti mate of, it, it is made up of obedience and service rather than of aught be sides. Moreover, few persons knew Bor den well enough to judge whether he did or did not express the love which was within. He certainly did not wear his heart upon his sleeve, and hence it was not seen in public places. But some of us saw him more intimately, under the shadow of his mother’s roof and in the sacred circle of his mother’s family. And those of us who saw that sight will never forget the manly tenderness of all his life. His mother once said to a friend: “Since my husband’s death, he has been to me more of a husband than a son.” And the sister at home, who saw most of him, adored him. Friends clave to him in loyal friend ship as only those do who have found a friend indeed. And men of low estate revered him, young as he was, because of his self-sacrificing service in their behalf. THE YALE-HOPE MISSION The Yale-Hope Mission in New Haven, established by his money and his personal efforts, is a monument to
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