IT WAS THE TEXT employed by William Whiting Borden as he sought to lead his classmates to the knowledge of Christ as a personal Savior.
One of the most refreshing biographies of recent years is “Borden of Yale '09,” by Mrs. Howard Taylor. Among many comments upon the book, Howard A. Kelly, M.D., L.L.D., of Johns Hopkins University, writes: “In recent times there has certainly been no more convincing appeal uttered in the name of evangelical Christianity than this life centered in Christ.”
“When the death of William Borden,” runs the Introduction, “was cabled from Egypt, it seemed as though a wave of sorrow went round the world. There was scarcely a newspaper in the United States that did not publish some account of a life which had combined elements so unusual, and letters from many lands attested the influence of its high ideals and unselfish service. It is probably true, as was stated in the Princeton Seminary Bulletin, that no young man of his age had ever given more to the service of God and humanity; for Borden not only gave his wealth, but himself, in a way so joyous and natural that it was manifestly a privilege rather than a sacrifice.”
“It was not the million dollars that came to this young American,” commented another editor, “which made his life a victory and his death a world-wide call to young men and women to learn the secret of that victory. It was in things that every man can share that William Borden found the way to the life which is Christ, and the death which is gain. And China and the Muslim world shall yet share that gain, as his burning torch is used to kindle in other lives the fires of a like passion for Jesus Christ.”
At the age of 17 he entered Yale, and it was during his freshman year that the text was employed—and not without blessing—in the life of an ex-Hill man, who was then tutoring in New Haven. The account will be told best in one of Borden’s letters to his mother.
* * * * *
May 21, 1906.
“We have just celebrated Omega Lambda Chi tonight, which is a rather strenuous proceeding. First we all—the whole college—danced around hippity-hop, finally ending up at the campus. Then there was a race between the sophomores and freshmen. After this we had a tug-of-war. Nearly the whole college tacked on, seniors and sophs at one end, and juniors and freshmen at the other. We just walked it over to York Street when somebody foolishly tried to take it into Pearson Hall. Then the sophs got it going and we couldn’t stop them for quite a while. Had an awful scrap which finally ended up on Chapel Street. I have a small piece of the rope ... .
“But there is something more interesting to tell you. Charlie has been working with a fellow most of the year. His boast was that he’d broken every commandment but one. As he isn’t in jail, I suppose that one is murder. Well, Charlie and I prayed that he might get a talk with X. The other day his uncle died, and on returning he nearly went off again (that is, to the bad), but went up to Charlie’s room instead, and he was there alone. Charlie told me how hard it was, how he beat around the bush and prayed. But thank God, he won out, and had a fine talk with X., who has decided to give Christ a chance in his life. Charlie and I prayed, and took Christ’s words, “Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out.” I feel convinced that X. is started all right, and what’s more I think he’s going to be a power. For he is a skilful debater, and if he found Christ, he could have a strong influence. It’s wonderful—isn’t it?—and glorious!”
During his Sophomore year, Borden and John Magee, the graduate secretary of the Y.M.C.A., began to pray that a Mission, similar to the Water St. Mission of New York, might be established in New Haven, for the sake of the University, no less than for the unfortunates.
During this time he again wrote his mother:
December 10, 1906.
“You will be pleased to hear that X. is getting on very well in every way (the classmate who formerly boasted that he had broken every commandment but one). He leads a Sunday School class, and has a Phi Beta Kappa stand in his studies. Rather a contrast with last year!”
Borden’s home-call came during his work in Cairo, and “as for God, His way is perfect” (Psa. 18:3030As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. (Psalm 18:30)). The text—the work that he was privileged to translate into the lives of others, remains. “I prayed,” he wrote, “and took Christ’s words, ‘Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.’ I feel convinced that X. is started all right, and what’s more I think he’s going to be a power.”
“The Master said, ‘Come, follow’—
That was all.
Earth’s joys grew dim,
My soul went after Him;
I rose and followed—
That was all.
Will you not follow if you hear His call?”
COME!
C onfidingly—
O penly—
M eekly—
E arnestly—
Because God says, NOW Luke 14:2626If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26).