One Young Man with Everything to Live For
William Whiting Borden
He was to be the heir to a family fortune and his family had high hopes for him to take over the family business: The Borden Dairy Estate.
William Borden graduated from high school in Chicago, Illinois in 1904 and his family gave him a graduation gift befitting a wealthy son: A cruise around the world. While on his cruise, William felt a calling from God to become a missionary.
He attended Yale and after completing four years at the college, he finished his graduate studies at Princeton before attending seminary and convincing his family that he was certain that God had placed this calling upon his life. He set his sights on China and most especially reaching out to the Muslims. In the interim, Borden turned down several lucrative job offers.
In order to become a missionary whose heart was truly committed to Christ, Borden gave away his entire fortune. Can you imagine the shock to his family when he told them he was going to give away his millions? He penned in his bible two words: No Reserve.
William was just about to embark on his journey when his father became seriously ill. His family begged him to reconsider and stay to run the family business but William knew that when you are called, you must not stray but stay the course. He penned two more words inside the cover of his bible: No Retreat.
On his journey to China, his ship was docked in Egypt for several days. While there, William contracted spinal meningitis and within three weeks he was dead. William Whiting Borden's final entry in his bible was discovered by his family some time later: No Regrets.
William Borden was a young man who had everything to live for. Every major newspaper in the United States carried the story when the news of his death was cabled back to America. They wrote, "Borden not only gave (away) his wealth, but himself, in a way so joyous and natural that it (seemed) a privilege rather than a sacrifice"
No Reserve. No Retreat. No Regrets. It sums up a life well-lived.
Sources:
http://home.snu.edu/~HCULBERT/regret.htm
http://www.24-7prayer.com/articles/776
http://www.bibleteachingnotes.com/templates/System/details.asp?id=29183&fetch=13721
William Borden graduated from high school in Chicago, Illinois in 1904 and his family gave him a graduation gift befitting a wealthy son: A cruise around the world. While on his cruise, William felt a calling from God to become a missionary.
He attended Yale and after completing four years at the college, he finished his graduate studies at Princeton before attending seminary and convincing his family that he was certain that God had placed this calling upon his life. He set his sights on China and most especially reaching out to the Muslims. In the interim, Borden turned down several lucrative job offers.
In order to become a missionary whose heart was truly committed to Christ, Borden gave away his entire fortune. Can you imagine the shock to his family when he told them he was going to give away his millions? He penned in his bible two words: No Reserve.
William was just about to embark on his journey when his father became seriously ill. His family begged him to reconsider and stay to run the family business but William knew that when you are called, you must not stray but stay the course. He penned two more words inside the cover of his bible: No Retreat.
On his journey to China, his ship was docked in Egypt for several days. While there, William contracted spinal meningitis and within three weeks he was dead. William Whiting Borden's final entry in his bible was discovered by his family some time later: No Regrets.
William Borden was a young man who had everything to live for. Every major newspaper in the United States carried the story when the news of his death was cabled back to America. They wrote, "Borden not only gave (away) his wealth, but himself, in a way so joyous and natural that it (seemed) a privilege rather than a sacrifice"
No Reserve. No Retreat. No Regrets. It sums up a life well-lived.
Sources:
http://home.snu.edu/~HCULBERT/regret.htm
http://www.24-7prayer.com/articles/776
http://www.bibleteachingnotes.com/templates/System/details.asp?id=29183&fetch=13721
Published by Michele Starkey
Optimist who enjoys writing, laughing and spreading good news. If I have but one life to live, I hope to make mine memorable. My epitaph will read: she lived, she loved, she left. View profile
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61 Comments
Post a CommentHi Michele, loved this story! And really honored that you were my first official contributor to leave positive remarks on my article "Walking Miracle In Progress," for which I am deeply grateful. Thank you for sharing you love of the Lord with me, see you (soon?) on the other side :=) ! You made me feel officially welcomed to the YAHOO! CN. God bless you.
A very well written and interesting story. Thanks
Thank you Michele...
God had greater role for him away from us, at least for the moment! Beautifully told, as always, Michele - siva
Great well written article Michele Laura Everly
Awesome story! Thanks!
I hadn't heard about this before now.
What a story!! :-) Wow!
So interesting and well written, Thanks!
I was unaware of this story. Thanks so much for sharing.