Nobody Knew and Nobody Thought

Nobody Knew and Nobody Thought By W'm. H. Boyle, Principal Secondary Training and Vocational Courses, Brigham Young University Nobody knew and nobody thought that when Franklin Harris, at 18 years of age, came from Mexico to attend the B. Y. Academy, he, by leaps and bounds would deservedly reach one of the highest educational positions in our great state, and come into it with the confidence of a whole people. Nobody thought it was in him. Nobody knew and nobody thought that when John A. Widtsoe as a youth beginning his high school work in the B. Y. U., by his great mental capacity, his inquiring perseverance and his love for duty and right, at middle age, would be asked to join a council of men who, under the inspiration of the Lord, shape the destinies of a great people. Nobody thought it was in him. Nobody knew and nobody thought that Adam S. Bennion, as a youth, would, in his early manhood, be given charge of the great school system of the Church, and sway, as few men can sway, the thoughts and aspirations of a great people, influence multitudes to do good, and inspire them to climb to newer and better heights. Nobody thought it was in him. Nobody knew and nobody thought, when G. l. Childs, as a boy came to the B. Y. A., that some day the people of the state would recognize in him the great organizer and student of educational problems and give to him the highest educational position in this great state. Nobody thought it was in him. Nobody knew and nobody thought when the late Superin- tendent A. C. Nelson, as a boy from Sanpete, came to the B. Y. Academy as a student, that he should in the future be loved and honored not only by the people of Utah, but by the educa- tors of this great nation. Nobody thought it was in him. Nobody knew and nobody thought, when George H. BrimhalL as an ambitious youth, came to the Brigham Young Academy, that throughout all his life, he would be the mighty power for good that he has been to young men and maidens of Israel. Nobody thought it was in liim. Nobody knew and nobody thought, when Karl G. Maeser came to Provo to take charge of the B. Y. Academy, that his name would be the household word among the children of latter- day Israel. Nobody thought it was in him. Nobody knew and nobody thought, when Brigham Young led out with the little band of pioneers, that he should beeome

NOBODY KNEW AND NOBODY THOUGHT 279 the magic leader of the greatest home-building people of man- kind. What I have said of these eight valiant defenders of right could be said of scores of others. Little do we know and little do we think what marvelous possibilities the Creator has wrap- ped up in our boys and girls. The achievements of individuals, the great deeds of the world, and the triumphs of the race have been accomplished only because of the power of purpose. They did what they did "on purpose." Purpose is not a whim, or a wish, or a dream, or an impulse. A purpose is a craefully chosen definite plan. A purpose puts the right value on things. "A purpose classifies acts and separates the sheep from the goats." To the Brigham Young University, last September, there came a young "Mormon" from an insignificant town in Utah, 125 miles from a railroad. While the father had fulfilled a mission, he had taken charge of the home; and while he had cultivated the farm, herded the sheep, plowed the ground, and shocked the wheat, he had been looking northward toward the Brigham Young University. When the father returned and the lad made known his plans, he was dumbfounded by the son's extravagant courage. But the father, too, had had purposes. He came in September, 1921, to the B. Y. U. with $27. It took $35 to enter and $20 a month to live. During the year $5 monthly was sent him from home. Sticking to his purpose, he got a job. He went to school, he did more than the required work for a good student and made $288 "on the side." Adding to this the $27, and the $5 sent from home, made him $320. When he paid his tithing, $32.20, he had left $287.80, and he paid his tithing. He paid his tuition, boarded himself, bought his clothes, and paid his way home out of this $287.80. When he reached the farm in June of this year, he had one dollar left, and "owed not any man." This year he not only came back himself, but brought with him two sisters — three out of one big family. With them, they brought one hundred seventy-five dollars worth of honey, and these three people expect to go through school this year and finish without sending home for even $5. What this young man has accomplished, shows far better than any thesis, the power of purpose — the power of an ideal. This youth is a sample of many of the young men and women, who throng the halls of the most beautiful character-building, faith-promoting school in the world. What will the future say of such as he? "Nobody knew and nobody thought it was in him."