COLGATE - Man Of Faith

  For most of us, COLGATE products form a part of the daily life.Others would certainly have seen these items at the general stores. but have you ever thought that the mint-flavored  white paste that you squeeze out of the tube every morning has something to tell you?It bears a tremendous testimony to God's faithfulness of a man who was willing to take God at his Word  - WILLIAM COLGATE.

        
                                          The Colgate family fled from England and settled in America during the Civil war. Robert Colgate, William's father, was a farmer. William was interested in soap-making and at the age of 19 he started his own enterprise with his aunt's financial help. He produced soap under his own name but unfortunately the business was  a failure.

A man of determination
Though William had to close down his initial business, he was determined to make a success of soap making . Encouragement came through the Bible and through a friend. In Genesis  28: 20-21  he read about Jacob who made a commitment to God as he left his home.

"Then Jacob made a vow to the LORD :If you will be with me and protect me in the journey I am making and give me food and clothing , and if I return safely to my father's home, then you will be my God... and I will give you a tenth of everything you give me."

William prayed the same prayer. His Christian friend had advised him, "Start right and you will go well. Be a good man. Give your heart to Christ : give God all that belongs to him. make an honest soap and god will prosper you." William decided to honor God and give him first place in all his endeavors. He also decided that he will give one tenth of his earnings to  God.

A man of dedication
William started his new venture on Dutch Street and gave God the tenth from the very first earning he made. God was given the first place in his life and career as he had covenanted. That was the beginning of a business enterprise, William Colgate and Company, whose products have conquered the world's cosmetic market. It's operations branched out from laundry soap manufacture into a host of other products, with in a short time.

A man of faithfulness
William was faithful to God and kept his promise. As God prospered him, he began to give more to God. From ten percent his giving gradually changed to 20 % then 30 and so on. The more he gave , the more he earned.

A man of Word
The Bible was always a source of encouragement to William Colgate . He was greatly interested in the translation, publication and distribution of the Word of God. He was behind the formation of the American Bible Society in 1816. He supported the Bible cause generously and financed several educational institutions. To honor him , one university changed its name to 'Colgate University', after his death.

A man of God 
William was a success as a Christian father. His family was known for its church attendance, family worship, Christian conduct and love for God's Word. Things like alcohol had never been to the Colgate home. All his 11 children followed his foot-steps and continued their father's practice of supporting God's work.
                                  William Colgate died in 1857, but his name is still not forgotten. The tooth-paste, soap, shaving cream and shampoo that we use daily do tell us this tremendous story of God's faithfulness, if only we listen.

(കടപ്പാട് SOWING CIRCLE . April 1989)