Advice for Graduates, Advice for All

My dear young Friends,

This month I ask your attention for an important matter, a matter which, according to your attitude toward it, will affect your life for good or ill, since God in His all-wise providence works by means. The matter lies in the word industry. The Bible (which treats all things relating to our mortal life) deals with this very important matter as you will readily see in the following passages: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich” (Proverbs 10:4). “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men” (Proverbs 22:29). “Not slothful in business” (Romans 12:11a). “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

We then see that God in His Word honors diligent labor, and it is certainly a matter of common observation that He honors industry. Yet, not in the same way in every individual instance, for many poor people, especially among the saints, try their utmost but rarely obtain more than the plainest living. Nevertheless, their industry is still honored by God. No doubt this is sovereignly ordained for divinely wise ends, but it does not affect the general truth that ordinarily success follows diligence.

Now industry is first a matter of the mind. I use the word “mind” in the general sense of attention, purpose, disposition, and will. If a youth at school has no mind for his work, he may read and hear as much as any in the same form, but he will make no adequate progress. Another, attending with all his mind, purposing to fit himself for a business or a profession, will hear, read, and think, absorb, and assimilate; his progress is seen and bears fruit. Industry, then, is not first in externals but in the disposition of the mind. In Ecclesiastes we see in the remarkable instance of Solomon the result of his attention to those matters which interested him. He acquainted his heart with wisdom. “I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards.” His was the planning mind; he gave his heart to it. His eye was on every object around him; he considered all things, “And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes” (1 Kings 4:32&33). He did not merely see things without considering them. His mind, which God had given him, was exercised in and about all that came within his observation. So, I say to you, do likewise. Nothing will be drudgery or ignoble toil which God in His providence puts to your hands if your minds are engaged. You will see a dignity and a beauty in work. As poverty is no disgrace if it be in good company, so no kind of work can be said to be ignoble in itself. You may make it so to yourselves by properly regarding it. Endeavour then to follow the divine direction, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”

Are you going to another school? Apply your whole mind to your daily tasks. Are you now learning a business or studying for a profession? Follow the same rule. Observe detail. Keep your eye on the top rung of the ladder, but never attempt two rungs at one step. Be sure of every step. Attempting too much or seeking to attain the top quickly would probably mean disaster affecting all your life. Use your time well; use it in the evenings; be keepers at home. Do not seek much society. Avoid clubs. It is probable that club-life will sap, is sapping, much of the love of home-life, and the moral life of this country. Read well. I do not mean read many books or read quickly. Read with the intention to understand, absorb, assimilate what you read, so that it shall become your own, your mental nourishment, strength, and equipment for your life. Industry is real pleasure as well as profit. Whoever looked with regret on his application of any subject? Do you fear God and seek that His kingdom come in your heart? Read the divine direction given through Peter (2 Peter 1:1-11), and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

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