Page 7 - Good News October 2018 paper
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Continued from p. 1 William Colgate and Company The Colgates even acknowledged 30%. And as he continued to give,
Continued from p. 1
York. It may be you!” was successful from the very God when naming their children his Company began to prosper all
beginning and within six years the by giving them Biblical names. the more.
As William studied the Bible, he Company had diversified, adding This reflected their Christian
was intrigued by the words of starch manufacturing to its world view in every aspect of their The soap king met the King of
Jacob in Genesis 28:20-22: “And product line. Soon, the Company lives. The family attended church Kings on 25 March 1857. His son
Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If would also be producing hand and read the family Bible together. succeeded him in business and
God will be with me, and will keep soap and other toilet and shaving Colgate was active in various the Company continued its suc-
me in this way that I go, and will soap products. Christian civic efforts, including cessful course, due to William
give me bread to eat, and raiment temperance efforts. He also gave Colgate's solid Biblical founda-
to put on, so that I come again to While Colgate was deeply invol- large sums of money to various tion.
my father's house in peace; then ved in getting his business educational institutions, inclu-
shall the LORD be my God: and established, he did not neglect to ding what was then called Today, Colgate-Palmolive is one
this stone, which I have set [for] a acknowledge his God and attend Madison College, in Hamilton, of America's oldest and most
pillar, shall be God's house: and to his spiritual needs. Colgate New York. Due to his generosity, successful Fortune 500 Com-
of all that Thou shalt give me I will attributed his success to his the School is known today as panies. Its worldwide sales
surely give the tenth unto Thee.” commitment to Scriptural princi- Colgate University. He was a great revenues exceed nine billion
ples. As Jacob had promised to supporter of missions, choosing dollars annually and it offers its
In 1804, Colgate was employed by give the first fruits of his labour to at one time to be the sole sup- products in 221 countries and
another soap maker as an appren- God, so Colgate made a similar porter of one particular foreign provinces around the globe. Its
tice. Colgate's observation was promise. Ten percent of Colgate's missionary. In 1816, Colgate was product lines include oral, per-
keen, and despite his age he was profits was faithfully given to instrumental in organizing the sonal, household, and fabric care,
aware of Proverbs' admonition to God's work. Colgate soon American Bible Society and later, as well as pet nutrition. Brands
heed instruction, even if that became one of the most pros- the American and Foreign Bible include Colgate, Palmolive,
instruction comes from those perous businessmen in New York. Society. He also served on the Speed-Stick, Fab, Murphy, Ajax,
who fail (Proverbs 24:30-32). God was directing his paths. Board of the American Tract and Irish Spring. The success of
Colgate believed the Company Colgate's business was not the Society. Colgate became known Colgate-Palmolive is a testimony
was being mismanaged and he only thing in his life that was affectionately as “Deacon Col- to what God can do with a young
was right. The Company finally growing and prospering. He gate.” apprentice committed to follow-
was forced to cease production in married Mary Gilbert in 1811 - a ing his dream and committed to
1806, but Colgate's reputation union that would eventually bear As Colgate's business endea- acknowledging the God who
and ambition enabled him to eleven children. His marriage to vours continued to prosper and fulfils dreams!
make contacts with dealers in Mary was what some called, “a be blessed by God, he instructed
other cities and he was able to happy union with a partner of his accountants to increase his - James Lim, 2014
establish himself in the business. congenial spirit.” giving - first to 20% and then to http://christianhub.org
