A Purpose In Life

( Originally Published 1885 )

ON February 12, 1880, occurred the death of the Hon. Samuel G. Arnold, LL.D. He was the author of the " History of Rhode Island," in two large octavo volumes, containing nearly six hundred pages each. At the funeral services addresses were made by Rev. Dr. Robinson, president of Brown University, Rev. Dr. Caldwell, formerly pastor of the First Baptist Church, and Rev. Dr. Hague, who was pastor of the same church when Dr. Arnold was a boy. I desire to call attention to the address of Dr. Hague.

" The occasion which calls us together today is to pay love and honor to our departed friend. There is nothing that so touches the deepest fountains of feeling in our nature, and calls forth from all, young and old, the sentiment of genuine sorrow as an occasion like this. For me the occasion, associated as it is with remembrances of a dim half-century, and taking in the scope of the characteristics of his boyhood, of its beginning and developments, to me it is bewildering. My first knowledge of my departed friend was in the year 1828, when I, a student from a theological semi-nary, transferred my relations to Newton, and when, nine years after, I was called to this pulpit, our life friendship began.

He was then a boy of sixteen years of age, and as regular an attendant on worship as any member of the church. He was then strongly intellectual, and could discuss any topic, and often used to speak to me about my sermons. What interested me in him at that time was the prophecy of power, a clear ideal already formulated of what he was to become. At the age of seventeen he was perfectly familiar with the history of Rhode Island, and understood her marine interests, and could elucidate the questions as well as any man in the state. When a young boy his plans of life were formed, for his love for his state prompted him to become its future historian. In the ten months in which he and I were companions in Europe, I had good opportunities to learn his character. I can surely say of him that he was a lovable companion, praiseworthy and reliable. Before leaving home he was troubled with malverdana fever, and in consequence was very weak. I have often said to him when he was writing, 'Drop your pen and rest.' But he would reply, 'I cannot rest until I have finished this letter to my mother.'

"There was another secret of his power : he was a man of integrity, with a large heart and a noble spirit. After his return from Europe the second time, he devoted ten years of his life to labor and toil in writing the history of his state. I have only to say to you, young men of Providence here, that while you bid farewell to these remains, you must remember that the sources of his power were recognized in his youth and in his boyhood. And, although a distinguished biographer says that it is a characteristic with American youth to wander aimlessly along, yet, when we think of our deceased friend, we can say there are some exceptions ; and in doing this it makes our souls bound with joy, for we can yet think there is still some hope for our future. As expressive of that ideal which our friend who has departed realized, I would commend to the attention of the young men here present, some lines with which I closed the second centennial historical address of this church on Nov. 7, 1839 :

"Some high but humble
Enterprise of good contemplate
Till it shall possess thy mind,
Become thy study, pastime, rest, and food,
Bind thy whole soul to this thy purpose,
And thou an angel's happiness may know,
May bless the earth while in the world above.
The good begun by us shall onward flow
In many a branching stream, and wider grow."'

What a beautiful tribute to the boy that he remembers so well for fifty years I Observe what he says : "A boy sixteen years of age, and as regular an attendant on worship as any member of the church. .. . What interested me in him at that time was the prophecy of power, a clear ideal already formulaled of what he was to become. At the age of seventeen he was familiar with the history of Rhode Island, understood her marine interests, and could elucidate the questions as well as any man in the state. When a young boy his plans in life were formed." How well he carried out those plans !

And is it true that "it is a characteristic with American youth to wander aimlessly along"? If so, it is high time the error was corrected. " Aimlessly I " " Wander aimlessly!" What, with no purpose; shifting as the wind, ebbing and flowing as the tide? Indeed, I greatly fear this is true of too many " American youth" of to-day.

Dr. Arnold had in early life the firm, fixed purpose to write the history of his native state, —a state small in area, but having a history of importance to the world. He lived to carry out that purpose, and the execution of his plan has brought great credit to himself and his native state.

It is not possible for every boy to know at sixteen just what particular thing he is to do in life, but every one ought to have some purpose, some laudable ambition, some high ideal, and then strive to attain to it. One of your number asked me the other day, if I thought every young man could become what he chose to be. That was really asking whether the old adage is true, " Where there 's a will there 's a way." Did you ever know an aphorism of the ages that was not based on a deep truth? "Find a way or make a way." In an important sense the adage is true ; but the will must be full, thorough, complete. It must permeate every fiber of the boy's constitution. It must be permanent and reliable. It must not be ephemeral, superficial, or half-hearted. It presupposes some knowledge of the difficulties in the way, and a contempt for them as difficulties. The means are essential to secure the end. We cannot sit down, Micawber like, waiting for something to turn up, to put us in the place we wish to occupy. If one wishes to become a rich man, he must make up his mind to hard labor, early and late, year after year, till the result is reached ; he must earn and he must save every penny possible. Read the life of John Jacob Astor or Stephen Girard, if you wish to learn the way to wealth. Is it your ambition to be learned, or eloquent, or honored? You must desire it with all your soul, and strive for it as for dear life ; and you must not get discouraged as the years pass by. But you must have that kind of an ambition which will admit of no refusal ; it must be discouraged by no obstacles, thwarted by no misfortunes, weakened by no reverses. That kind of a purpose and perseverance is what men are made of. I have heard it stated that Lord Beaconsfield in his boyhood aspired to the first place in the English government, and so he attained it. The story probably has no truth in it, and yet has underneath it a truth worth more than if it were true. You need have no childish wish to become the President of the United States, for generally he who strives after the place will never get it. The adage, "The dark horse will win," has a deal of truth in it. But you can and you ought to have a high and laudable ambition to prepare yourself for manhood, and for the duties which manhood shall bring to you.

Few men, perhaps, like Gov. Arnold, can form so definite a purpose as he did in early life, and carry it out. But if one will discipline his mind by honor, fidelity, reliability, by industry and perseverance ; if he can, by mere force of will, learn his lessons faithfully day by day, and by that habit of industrious faithfulness get control of the will, so that it shall do his bidding, —then, indeed, has he prepared himself for success in whatever field circumstances, over which, often, we have but little control, shall assign him his lot and task.

To guide your lives aright, remember the following apt rules which have come down to us from the ages : —

1. " Festina lente."

2. " Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well."

3. " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

4. " Patience and perseverance accomplish wonders."

5. " What man has done, man can do."

6. " In the morning sow thy seed."

7. " Never put off till tomorrow what can be done today."

8. " Providence helps those who help them. selves."

9. " He that by the plow would thrive Himself must either hold or drive."

10." Not enjoyment and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act that each tomorrow
Find in us farther than today."