When 16-year-old Eliza married the 20-year-old tailor, he had never been to school. Others might have written his education off as a lost cause, but Eliza didn’t. She taught him to read, write, and spell. Those days were difficult, but he proved to be a fast learner. In fact, he learned so well that years later he was elected President of the United States! When he ran for a second term, he lost, but refused to give up. Instead, he won a seat in the U. S. Senate.

The story of our 17th President, Andrew Johnson, and his wife, Eliza, illustrates the power of perseverance.

Today in the Word, September 22, 1995, p. 29.