Facing Life

I am thinking of a young man whose life provided an example of the truth set forth in this proverb. He long since passed on, but his name still remains fresh and fragrant in my memory.

This young man was ever true and constant in his devotions and loyalties. Those for whom he worked and his fellow-workers trusted and honored him. He was loyal to them to the last degree. He was always concerned and responsive whenever anyone of them was in trouble or sorrow.

It was in his home and in relation to his dear ones, that I saw most of him. Here his devotion and loyalty flowered into the fullest bloom. His constant thought was of his mother and sister and his sister's children, and he worked untiringly to make them secure and happy. In this relationship, he displayed a degree of devotion and loyalty which might well inspire a renewed faith in family life and family ties in these times when we see so many broken homes as to almost cause us to despair of the home and family as an institution.

My personal relations with this young man were such that I was drawn very close to him. When he died, I felt that something fine and noble had gone out of my life. And yet I know that something is not gone; it abides in the memories associated with his name. We hear no more his friendly voice and see no more his friendly smile, but he left in the hearts of all of us who were familiar with that voice and smile an influence that will ever be a living and sweet benediction in our lives.

I would rather have the good name that young man bore and the loving favor he received from his friends and dear ones, than any amount of silver and gold.

It is not given to many to win great riches or high renown. But here is something we can all win--a good name and loving favor. We can all be true and loyal, devoted and kind, and thus leave behind us when we go from this world a name that will forever hallow our memory.