ACRES OF DIAMONDS

第4章

“`No，"Isaid；`butIamgoingtogetitto-night。"

“`You"llnevergetit，"hesaid。`He"snotthatsortofaman。He"snotevenachurchman!"

“ButIjustwentquietlyonwiththework，withoutanswering，andafterquiteawhileheleft；buthecalledback，ashewentoff，`Well，ifhedoesgiveyouthathundreddollars，cometomeandI"llgiveyouanotherhundred。"""

Conwellsmilesingenialreminiscenceandwithoutanyapparentsensethatheistellingofagreatpersonaltriumph，andgoeson:

“Thosetwomenbothpaidthemoney，andofcoursethechurchpeoplethemselves，whoatfirsthadnotquiteunderstoodthatIcouldbeinearnest，joinedinandhelped，withworkandmoney，andas，whilethenewchurchwasbuilding，itwaspeculiarlyimportanttogetandkeepthecongregationtogether，andastheyhadceasedtohaveaministeroftheirown，IusedtorunoutfromBostonandpreachforthem，inaroomwehired。

“AnditwasthereinLexington，in1879，thatIdeterminedtobecomeaminister。Ihadagoodlawpractice，butIdeterminedtogiveitup。FormanyyearsIhadfeltmoreorlessofacalltotheministry，andhereatlengthwasthedefinitetimetobegin。

“WeekbyweekIpreachedthere""——howstrange，now，tothinkofWilliamDeanHowellsandthecolonel-preacher!——“andafterawhilethechurchwascompleted，andinthatverychurch，thereinLexington，Iwasordainedaminister。""

Amarvelousthing，allthis，evenwithoutconsideringthemarvelousheightsthatConwellhassinceattained——amarvelousthing，anachievementofpositiveromance!ThatlittlechurchstoodforAmericanbraveryandinitiativeandself-sacrificeandromanticisminawaythatwellbefittedgoodoldLexington。

ToleavealargeandoverflowinglawpracticeandtakeuptheministryatasalaryofsixhundreddollarsayearseemedtotherelativesofConwell"swifetheextremeoffoolishness，andtheydidnothesitatesotoexpressthemselves。Naturallyenough，theydidnothaveConwell"svision。Yethehimselfwasfairenoughtorealizeandtoadmitthattherewasagooddealoffairnessintheirobjections；andsohesaidtothecongregationthat，althoughhewasquitereadytocomeforthesixhundreddollarsayear，heexpectedthemtodoublehissalaryassoonashedoubledthechurchmembership。Thisseemedtothemagooddeallikeajoke，buttheyansweredinperfectearnestnessthattheywouldbequitewillingtodothedoublingassoonashedidthedoubling，andinlessthanayearthesalarywasdoubledaccordingly。

Iaskedhimifhehadfoundithardtogiveupthelucrativelawforapoorministry，andhisreplygaveadelightfulimpressionofhiscapacityforhumorousinsightintohumannature，forhesaid，withagenialtwinkle:

“Ohyes，itwasawrench；butthereisasortofromanceofself-sacrifice，youknow。Irathersupposetheold-timemartyrsratherenjoyedthemselvesinbeingmartyrs!""

ConwelldidnotstayverylonginLexington。

AstrugglinglittlechurchinPhiladelphiaheardofwhathewasdoing，andsoanolddeaconwentuptoseeandhearhim，andaninvitationwasgiven；andastheLexingtonchurchseemedtobeprosperouslyonitsfeet，andtheneedsofthePhiladelphiabodykeenlyappealedtoConwell"simagination，achangewasmade，andatasalaryofeighthundreddollarsayearhewent，in1882，tothelittlestrugglingPhiladelphiacongregation，andofthatcongregationheisstillpastor——only，itceasedtobeastrugglingcongregationagreatmanyyearsago!Andlongagoitbeganpayinghimmorethousandseveryyearthanatfirstitgavehimhundreds。

DreamerasConwellalwaysisinconnectionwithhisimmensepracticality，andmovedasheisbythespiritualinfluencesoflife，itismorethanlikelythatnotonlydidPhiladelphia"sneedappeal，butalsothefactthatPhiladelphia，asacity，meantmuchtohim，for，comingNorth，woundedfromabattle-fieldoftheCivilWar，itwasinPhiladelphiathathewascaredforuntilhishealthandstrengthwererecovered。ThusitcamethatPhiladelphiahadearlybecomedeartohim。

Andhereisanexcellentexampleofhowdreaminggreatdreamsmaygohand-in-handwithwinningsuperbresults。ForthatlittlestrugglingcongregationnowownsandoccupiesagreatnewchurchbuildingthatseatsmorepeoplethananyotherProtestantchurchinAmerica——andDr。Conwellfillsit!

III

STORYOFTHEFIFTY-SEVENCENTS

ATeverypointinConwell"slifeoneseesthathewinsthroughhiswonderfulpersonalinfluenceonoldandyoung。Everystepforward，everytriumphachieved，comesnotalonefromhisownenthusiasm，butbecauseofhisputtingthatenthusiasmintoothers。AndwhenIlearnedhowitcameaboutthatthepresentchurchbuildingswerebegun，itwasanotherofthosemarveloustalesoffactthatarestrangerthananyimaginationcouldmakethem。Andyetthetalewassosimpleandsweetandsadandunpretending。

WhenDr。ConwellfirstassumedchargeofthelittlecongregationthatledhimtoPhiladelphiaitwasreallyalittlechurchbothinitsnumbersandinthesizeofthebuildingthatitoccupied，butitquicklybecamesopopularunderhisleadershipthatthechurchservicesandSunday-

schoolserviceswerealikesocrowdedthattherewasnoroomforallwhocame，andalwaystherewerepeopleturnedfromthedoors。

Oneafternoonalittlegirl，whohadeagerlywishedtogo，turnedbackfromtheSunday-schooldoor，cryingbitterlybecausetheyhadtoldherthattherewasnomoreroom。Butatall，black-

hairedmanmetherandnoticedhertearsand，stopping，askedwhyitwasthatshewascrying，andshesobbinglyrepliedthatitwasbecausetheycouldnotletherintotheSunday-school。

“Iliftedhertomyshoulder，""saysDr。Conwell，intellingofthis；forafterhearingthestoryelsewhereIaskedhimtotellittomehimself，foritseemedalmosttoostrangetobetrue。

“Iliftedhertomyshoulder""——andonerealizestheprettysceneitmusthavemadeforthelittlegirltogothroughthecrowdofpeople，dryinghertearsandridingproudlyontheshouldersofthekindly，tall，darkman!“IsaidtoherthatIwouldtakeherin，andIdidso，andIsaidtoherthatweshouldsomedayhavearoombigenoughforallwhoshouldcome。Andwhenshewenthomeshetoldherparents——Ionlylearnedthisafterward——thatshewasgoingtosavemoneytohelpbuildthelargerchurchandSunday-schoolthatDr。Conwellwanted!Herparentspleasantlyhumoredherintheideaandletherrunerrandsanddolittletaskstoearnpennies，andshebegandroppingthepenniesintoherbank。

“Shewasalovablelittlething——butinonlyafewweeksafterthatshewastakensuddenlyillanddied；andatthefuneralherfathertoldme，quietly，ofhowhislittlegirlhadbeensavingmoneyforabuilding-fund。Andthere，atthefuneral，hehandedmewhatshehadsaved——justfifty-

sevencentsinpennies。""

Dr。Conwelldoesnotsayhowdeeplyhewasmoved；heis，afterall，amanofveryfewwordsastohisownemotions。Butadeeptendernesshadcreptintohisvoice。

“AtameetingofthechurchtrusteesItoldofthisgiftoffifty-sevencents——thefirstgifttowardtheproposedbuilding-fundofthenewchurchthatwassometimetoexist。Foruntilthenthematterhadbarelybeenspokenof，asanewchurchbuildinghadbeensimplyapossibilityforthefuture。

“Thetrusteesseemedmuchimpressed，anditturnedoutthattheywerefarmoreimpressedthanIcouldpossiblyhavehoped，forinafewdaysoneofthemcametomeandsaidthathethoughtitwouldbeanexcellentideatobuyalotonBroadStreet——theverylotonwhichthebuildingnowstands。""ItwascharacteristicofDr。Conwellthathedidnotpointout，whateveryonewhoknowshimwouldunderstand，thatitwashisowninspirationputintothetrusteeswhichresultedinthisquickanddefinitemoveonthepartofoneofthem。“Italkedthematteroverwiththeowneroftheproperty，andtoldhimofthebeginningofthefund，thestoryofthelittlegirl。Themanwasnotoneofourchurch，norinfact，washeachurch-goeratall，buthelistenedattentivelytothetaleofthefifty-sevencentsandsimplysaidhewasquitereadytogoaheadandsellusthatpieceoflandfortenthousanddollars，taking——andtheunexpectednessofthisdeeplytouchedmetakingafirstpaymentofjustfifty-sevencentsandlettingtheentirebalancestandonafive-per-cent。mortgage!

“Anditseemedtomethatitwouldbetherightthingtoacceptthisunexpectedlyliberalproposition，andIwentovertheentirematteronthatbasiswiththetrusteesandsomeoftheothermembers，andallthepeopleweresoontalkingofhavinganewchurch。Butitwasnotdoneinthatway，afterall，for，finethoughthatwaywouldhavebeen，therewastobeonestillfiner。

“Notlongaftermytalkwiththemanwhoownedtheland，andhissurprisinglygood-heartedproposition，anexchangewasarrangedformeoneeveningwithaMountHollychurch，andmywifewentwithme。Wecamebacklate，anditwascoldandwetandmiserable，butasweapproachedourhomewesawthatitwasalllightedfromtoptobottom，anditwasclearthatitwasfullofpeople。Isaidtomywifethattheyseemedtobehavingabettertimethanwehadhad，andwewentin，curioustoknowwhatitwasallabout。

Anditturnedoutthatourabsencehadbeenintentionallyarranged，andthatthechurchpeoplehadgatheredatourhometomeetusonourreturn。

AndIwasutterlyamazed，forthespokesmantoldmethattheentiretenthousanddollarshadbeenraisedandthatthelandforthechurchthatIwantedwasfreeofdebt。Andallhadcomesoquicklyanddirectlyfromthatdearlittlegirl"sfifty-sevencents。""

Doesn"titseemlikeafairytale!Butthenthismanhasallhislifebeenmakingfairytalesintorealities。Heinspiredthechild。Heinspiredthetrustees。Heinspiredtheowneroftheland。Heinspiredthepeople。

Thebuildingofthegreatchurch——theTempleBaptistChurch，asitistermed——wasagreatundertakingforthecongregation；eventhoughithadbeenswiftlygrowingfromthedayofDr。

Conwell"stakingchargeofit，itwassomethingfaraheadofwhat，exceptintheeyesofanenthusiast，theycouldpossiblycompleteandpayforandsupport。Norwasitaneasytask。

Groundwasbrokenforthebuildingin1889，in1891itwasopenedforworship，andthencameyearsofraisingmoneytoclearit。Butitwaslongagoplacedcompletelyoutofdebt，andwithonlyasinglelargesubscription——oneoftenthousanddollars——forthechurchisnotinawealthyneighborhood，noristhecongregationmadeupofthegreatandrich。

Thechurchisbuiltofstone，anditsinteriorisagreatamphitheater。Specialattentionhasbeengiventofreshairandlight；thereisnothingofthedim，religiouslightthatgoeswithmedievalchurchliness。Behindthepulpitaretiersofseatsforthegreatchoruschoir。Thereisalargeorgan。

Thebuildingispeculiarlyadaptedforhearingandseeing，andifitisnot，strictlyspeaking，beautifulinitself，itisbeautifulwhenitisfilledwithencirclingrowsofmenandwomen。

Manoffeelingthatheis，andonewhoappreciatestheimportanceofsymbols，Dr。Conwellhadaheartofolive-woodbuiltintothefrontofthepulpit，forthewoodwasfromanolive-treeintheGardenofGethsemane。Andtheamber-coloredtilesintheinnerwallsofthechurchbear，undertheglaze，thenamesofthousandsofhispeople；

foreveryone，youngorold，whohelpedinthebuilding，eventothegivingofasingledollar，hashisnameinscribedthere。ForDr。ConwellwishedtoshowthatitisnotonlythehouseoftheLord，butalso，inakeenlypersonalsense，thehouseofthosewhobuiltit。

Thechurchhasapossibleseatingcapacityof4，200，althoughonly3，135chairshavebeenputinit，forithasbeenthedesirenottocrowdthespaceneedlessly。ThereisalsoagreatroomfortheSunday-school，andextensiveroomsfortheyoungmen"sassociation，theyoungwomen"sassociation，andforakitchen，forexecutiveoffices，formeeting-placesforchurchofficersandboardsandcommittees。Itisaspaciousandpracticalandcompletechurchhome，andthepeoplefeelathomethere。

“Youseeagain，""saidDr。Conwell，musingly，“theadvantageofaimingatbigthings。Thatbuildingrepresents$109，000aboveground。Itisfreefromdebt。Hadwebuiltasmallchurch，itwouldnowbeheavilymortgaged。""

HISPOWERASORATORANDPREACHER

EVENasayoungmanConwellwonlocalfameasanorator。AttheoutbreakoftheCivilWarhebeganmakingpatrioticspeechesthatgainedenlistments。Aftergoingtothefronthewassentbackhomeforatime，onfurlough，tomakemorespeechestodrawmorerecruits，forhisspeechesweresopersuasive，sopowerful，sofullofhomelyandpatrioticfeeling，thatthemenwhoheardthemthrongedintotheranks。Andasapreacherheusespersuasion，power，simpleandhomelyeloquence，todrawmentotheranksofChristianity。

Heisanoratorborn，andhasdevelopedthisinbornpowerbythehardestofstudyandthoughtandpractice。Heisoneofthoseraremenwhoalwaysseizeandholdtheattention。Whenhespeaks，menlisten。Itisquality，temperament，control——thewordisimmaterial，butthefactisverymaterialindeed。

SomequarterofacenturyagoConwellpublishedalittlebookforstudentsonthestudyandpracticeoforatory。That“clear-cutarticulationisthecharmofeloquence""isoneofhisinsisted-uponstatements，anditwellillustratesthelifelongpracticeofthemanhimself，foreverywordashetalkscanbeheardineverypartofalargebuilding，yetalwayshespeakswithoutapparenteffort。

Heavoids“elocution。""Hisvoiceissoft-pitchedandneverbreaks，evennowwhenheisoverseventy，because，soheexplainsit，healwaysspeaksinhisnaturalvoice。Thereisneverastrainingaftereffect。

“Aspeakermustpossessalarge-heartedregardforthewelfareofhisaudience，""hewrites，andhereagainweseeConwellexplainingConwellism。

“Enthusiasminvitesenthusiasm，""isanotherofhispointsofimportance；andoneunderstandsthatitisbydeliberatepurpose，andnotbychance，thathetrieswithsuchtremendousefforttoputenthusiasmintohishearerswitheverysermonandeverylecturethathedelivers。

“Itiseasytoraisealaugh，butdangerous，foritisthegreatesttestofanorator"scontrolofhisaudiencetobeabletolandthemagainonthesolidearthofsoberthinking。""Ihaveknownhimattheveryendofasermonhavearippleoflaughtersweepfreelyovertheentirecongregation，andtheninamomenthehaseveryindividualunderhiscontrol，listeningsoberlytohiswords。

Heneverfearstousehumor，anditisalwaysverysimpleandobviousandeffective。Withhimevenaverysimplepunmaybeused，notonlywith-

outtakingawayfromthestrengthofwhatheissaying，butwithavividincreaseofimpressiveness。

Andwhenhesayssomethingfunnyitisinsuchadelightfulandconfidentialway，withsuchagenial，quiet，infectioushumorousness，thathisaudienceiscaptivated。Andtheyneverthinkthatheistellingsomethingfunnyofhisown；

itseems，suchistheskilloftheman，thatheisjustlettingthemknowofsomethinghumorousthattheyaretoenjoywithhim。

“Beabsolutelytruthfulandscrupulouslyclear，""

hewrites；andwithdelightfullytersecommonsense，hesays，“Useillustrationsthatillustrate""——

andneverdidanoratorliveuptothisinjunctionmorethandoesConwellhimself。Nothingismoresurprising，nothingismoreinteresting，thanthewayinwhichhemakesuseasillustrationsoftheimpressionsandincidentsofhislongandvariedlife，and，whateveritis，ithasdirectandinstantbearingontheprogressofhisdiscourse。Hewillrefertosomethingthatheheardachildsayinatrainyesterday；inafewminuteshewillspeakofsomethingthathesaworsomeonewhomhemetlastmonth，orlastyear，ortenyearsago——

inOhio，inCalifornia，inLondon，inParis，inNewYork，inBombay；andeachmemory，eachillustration，isahammerwithwhichhedriveshomeatruth。

Thevastnumberofplaceshehasvisitedandpeoplehehasmet，theinfinitevarietyofthingshisobservanteyeshaveseen，givehimhisceaselessflowofillustrations，andhismemoryandhisskillmakeadmirableuseofthem。Itisseldomthatheusesanillustrationfromwhathehasread；everythingis，characteristically，hisown。

HenryM。Stanley，whoknewhimwell，referredtohimas“thatdouble-sightedYankee，""whocould“seeataglanceallthereisandallthereeverwas。""

Andneverwasthereamanwhososupplementswithpersonalreminiscencetheplaceorthepersonthathasfiguredintheillustration。WhenheillustrateswiththestoryofthediscoveryofCaliforniagoldatSutter"shealmostparentheticallyremarks，“Ideliveredthislectureonthatveryspotafewyearsago；thatis，inthetownthataroseonthatveryspot。""Andwhenheillustratesbythestoryoftheinventionofthesewing-machine，headds:“Isupposethatifanyofyouwereaskedwhowastheinventorofthesewing-machine，youwouldsaythatitwasEliasHowe。Butthatwouldbeamistake。IwaswithEliasHoweintheCivilWar，andheoftenusedtotellmehowhehadtriedforfourteenyearstoinventthesewing-machineandthatthenhiswife，feelingthatsomethingreallyhadtobedone，inventeditinacoupleofhours。""Listeningtohim，youbegintofeelintouchwitheverybodyandeverything，andinafriendlyandintimateway。

Always，whetherinthepulpitorontheplatform，asinprivateconversation，thereisanabsolutesimplicityaboutthemanandhiswords；asimplicity，anearnestness，acompletehonesty。Andwhenhesetsdown，inhisbookonoratory，“A

manhasnorighttousewordscarelessly，""hestandsforthatrespectforword-craftsmanshipthateverysuccessfulspeakerorwritermustfeel。

“Beintenselyinearnest，""hewrites；andinwritingthishesetsdownaprimeprinciplenotonlyofhisoratory，butofhislife。

AyoungministertoldmethatDr。Conwelloncesaidtohim，withdeepfeeling，“Alwaysremember，asyoupreach，thatyouarestrivingtosaveatleastonesoulwitheverysermon。""AndtooneofhisclosefriendsDr。Conwellsaid，inoneofhisself-revealingconversations:

“Ifeel，wheneverIpreach，thatthereisalwaysonepersoninthecongregationtowhom，inallprobability，Ishallneverpreachagain，andthereforeIfeelthatImustexertmyutmostpowerinthatlastchance。""Andinthis，evenifthiswereall，oneseeswhyeachofhissermonsissoimpressive，andwhyhisenergyneverlags。Always，withhim，isthefeelingthatheisintheworldtodoallthegoodhecanpossiblydo；notamoment，notanopportunity，mustbelost。

Themomentherisesandstepstothefrontofhispulpithehastheattentionofeveryoneinthebuilding，andthisattentionhecloselyholdstillheisthrough。Yetitisneverbyastrikingeffortthatattentionisgained，exceptinsofarthathisuttersimplicityisstriking。“Iwanttopreachsosimplythatyouwillnotthinkitpreaching，butjustthatyouarelisteningtoafriend，""Irememberhissaying，oneSundaymorning，ashebeganhissermon；andthenhewentonjustassimplyassuchhomely，kindly，friendlywordspromised。Andhoweffectively!

Hebelievesthateverythingshouldbesoputastobeunderstoodbyall，andthisbeliefheappliesnotonlytohispreaching，buttothereadingoftheBible，whosedescriptionshenotonlyvisualizestohimself，butmakesvividlycleartohishearers；andthisoftenmakesforfascinationinresult。

Forexample，heisreadingthetenthchapterofISamuel，andbegins，“`Thoushaltmeetacompanyofprophets。"""

“`Singers，"itshouldbetranslated，""heputsin，liftinghiseyesfromthepageandlookingoutoverhispeople。Thenhegoeson，takingthischangeasamatterofcourse，“`Thoushaltmeetacompanyofsingerscomingdownfromthehighplace——"""

Whereuponheagaininterruptshimself，andinanirresistibleexplanatoryaside，whichinstantlyraisesthedesiredpictureinthemindofeveryone，hesays:“Thatmeans，fromthelittleoldchurchonthehill，youknow。""Andhowplainandclearandrealandinteresting——mostofall，interesting——itisfromthismoment!Anothermanwouldhaveleftitthatprophetswerecomingdownfromahighplace，whichwouldnothaveseemedatallaliveornatural，andhere，suddenly，Conwellhasflashedhispictureofthesingerscomingdownfromthelittleoldchurchonthehill!Thereismagicindoingthatsortofthing。

Andhegoeson，nowreading:“`Thoushaltmeetacompanyofsingerscomingdownfromthelittleoldchurchonthehill，withapsaltery，andatabret，andapipe，andaharp，andtheyshallsing。"""

MusicisoneofConwell"sstrongestaids。Hesingshimself；singsasifhelikestosing，andoftenfindshimselfleadingthesinging——usuallyso，indeed，attheprayer-meetings，andoften，ineffect，atthechurchservices。

Irememberatonechurchservicethatthechoir-leaderwasstandinginfrontofthemassedchoirostensiblyleadingthesinging，butthatConwellhimself，standingattherearofthepulpitplatform，withhiseyesonhishymn-book，silentlyswayingalittlewiththemusicandunconsciouslybeatingtimeasheswayed，wasjustasunconsciouslytherealleader，foritwashewhomthecongregationwerewatchingandwithhimthattheywerekeepingtime!Heneversuspectedit；hewasmerelythinkingalongwiththemusic；andtherewassuchalookofcontagioushappinessonhisfaceasmadeeveryoneinthebuildingsimilarlyhappy。Forhepossessesamysteriousfacultyofimbuingotherswithhisownhappiness。

Notonlysingers，butthemodernequivalentofpsalteryandtabretandcymbals，allhavetheirplaceinDr。Conwell"sschemeofchurchservice；

fortheremaybeapiano，andtheremayevenbeatrombone，andthereisagreatorgantohelpthevoices，andattimestherearechimingbells。

Hismusicaltasteseemstotendtowardthethunderous——orperhapsitisonlythatheknowstherearetimeswhenpeopleliketohearthethunderousandaremovedbyit。

Andhowthechoirthemselveslikeit!Theyoccupyagreatcurvingspacebehindthepulpit，andputtheirheartsintosong。Andasthecongregationdisperseandthechoirfilterdown，sometimestheyarestillsingingandsomeofthemcontinuetosingastheygoslowlyouttowardthedoors。Theyarehappy——Conwellhimselfishappy——allthecongregationarehappy。Hemakeseverybodyfeelhappyincomingtochurch；hemakesthechurchattractivejustasHowellswassolongagotoldthathedidinLexington。

Andthereissomethingmorethanhappiness；

thereisasenseofease，ofcomfort，ofgeneraljoy，thatisquiteunmistakable。Thereisnothingofstiffnessorconstraint。Andwithitallthereisfullreverence。Itisnowonderthatheisaccustomedtofilleveryseatofthegreatbuilding。

Hisgesturesareusuallyverysimple。Nowandthen，whenheworksuptoemphasis，hestrikesonefistinthepalmoftheotherhand。Whenheisthroughyoudonotrememberthathehasmadeanygesturesatall，butthesoundofhisvoiceremainswithyou，andthelookofhiswonderfuleyes。Andthoughheispastthethreescoreyearsandten，helooksoutoverhispeoplewitheyesthatstillhavetheveritablelookofyouth。

Likeallgreatmen，henotonlydoesbigthings，butkeepsintouchwithmyriaddetails。Whenhisassistant，announcingthefuneralofanoldmember，hesitatesaboutthestreetandnumberandsaysthattheycanbefoundinthetelephonedirectory，Dr。Conwell"sdeepvoicebreaksquietlyinwith，“Suchanumber[givingit]，DauphinStreet""——quietly，andinalowtone，yeteveryoneinthechurchhearsdistinctlyeverysyllableofthatlowvoice。

Hisfundofpersonalanecdote，orpersonalreminiscence，isconstantandillustrativeinhispreaching，justasitiswhenhelectures，andthereminiscencessweepthroughmanyyears，andattimesarereallystartlinginthevividandhomelikepicturestheypresentofthefamousfolkofthepastthatheknew。

OneSundayeveninghemadeanalmostcasualreferencetothetimewhenhefirstmetGarfield，thenacandidateforthePresidency。“IaskedMajorMcKinley，whomIhadmetinWashington，andwhosehomewasinnorthernOhio，aswasthatofMr。Garfield，togowithmetoMr。

Garfield"shomeandintroduceme。Whenwegotthere，aneighborhadtofindhim。`Jim!Jim!"

hecalled。Yousee，GarfieldwasjustplainJimtohisoldneighbors。It"shardtorecognizeaherooveryourbackfence!""Hepausedamo-

mentfortheappreciativerippletosubside，andwenton:

“Wethreetalkedtheretogether""——whatararetalkingthatmusthavebeen-McKinley，Garfield，andConwell——“wetalkedtogether，andafterawhilewegottothesubjectofhymns，andthosetwogreatmenbothtoldmehowdeeplytheylovedtheoldhymn，`TheOld-TimeReligion。"

Garfieldespeciallylovedit，sohetoldus，becausethegoodoldmanwhobroughthimupasaboyandtowhomheowedsuchgratitude，usedtosingitatthepasturebarsoutsideoftheboy"swindoweverymorning，andyoungJimknew，wheneverheheardthatoldtune，thatitmeantitwastimeforhimtogetup。Hesaidthathehadheardthebestconcertsandthefinestoperasintheworld，buthadneverheardanythinghelovedashestillloved`TheOld-TimeReligion。"

IforgetwhatreasontherewasforMcKinley"sespeciallylikingit，buthe，asdidGarfield，likeditimmensely。""

WhatfollowedwasastrikingexampleofConwell"sintentnessonlosingnochancetofixanimpressiononhishearers"minds，andatthesametimeitwasareallyastonishingproofofhispowertomoveandsway。Foranewexpressioncameoverhisface，andhesaid，asiftheideahadonlyatthatmomentoccurredtohim——asitmostprobablyhad——“Ithinkit"sinourhymnal!""

Andinamomentheannouncedthenumber，andthegreatorganstruckup，andeverypersoninthegreatchurcheveryman，woman，andchild——joinedintheswingingrhythmofverseafterverse，asiftheycouldnevertire，of“TheOld-

TimeReligion。""Itisasimplemelody——barelymorethanasinglelineofalmostmonotonemusic:

_Itwasgoodenoughformotherandit"sgoodenoughforme!

Itwasgoodonthefieryfurnaceandit"sgoodenoughforme!_

Thusitwenton，withnever-wearyingiteration，andeachtimewiththerefrain，moreandmorerhythmicandswaying:

_Theold-timereligion，Theold-timereligion，Theold-timereligion——

It"sgoodenoughforme!_

ThatitwasgoodfortheHebrewchildren，thatitwasgoodforPaulandSilas，thatitwillhelpyouwhenyou"redying，thatitwillshowthewaytoheaven——alltheseandstillotherlinesweresung，withasortofwailingsoftness，acuriousmonotone，adepthofearnestness。Andthemanwhohadworkedthismiracleofcontrolbyevokingoutofthepasthismemoryofameetingwithtwoofthevanishedgreatonesoftheearth，stoodbeforehispeople，leadingthem，singingwiththem，hiseyesaglowwithaninwardlight。Hismagichadsuddenlysetthemintothespiritoftheoldcamp-meetingdays，thedaysofpioneeringandhardship，whenreligionmeantsomuchtoeverybody，andeventhosewhoknewnothingofsuchthingsfeltthem，evenifbutvaguely。Everyheartwasmovedandtouched，andthatoldtunewillsinginthememoryofallwhothushearditandsungitaslongastheylive。

GIFTFORINSPIRINGOTHERS

THEconstantearnestnessofConwell，hisdesiretoletnochanceslipbyofhelpingafellowman，putsoftenintohisvoice，whenhepreaches，anoteofeagerness，ofanxiety。Butwhenheprays，whenheturnstoGod，hismannerundergoesasubtleandunconsciouschange。Aloadhasslippedoffhisshouldersandhasbeenassumedbyahigherpower。Intohisbearing，dignifiedthoughitwas，therecomesanunconsciousincreaseofthedignity。Intohisvoice，firmasitwasbefore，therecomesadeepernoteoffirmness。

Heisapttoflinghisarmswidespreadasheprays，inafinegesturethatheneverusesatothertimes，andhelooksupwardwiththedignityofamanwho，talkingtoahigherbeing，isproudofbeingafriendandconfidant。OnedoesnotneedtobeaChristiantoappreciatethebeautyandfinenessofConwell"sprayers。

Heislikelyatanytimetodotheunexpected，andheissogreatamanandhassuchcontrolthatwhateverhedoesseemstoeverybodyaper-

fectlynaturalthing。Hissincerityissoevident，andwhateverhedoesisdonesosimplyandnaturally，thatitisjustamatterofcourse。

Iremember，duringonechurchservice，whilethesingingwasgoingon，thathesuddenlyrosefromhischairand，kneelingbesideit，ontheopenpulpit，withhisbacktothecongregation，remainedinthatpostureforseveralminutes。Noonethoughtitstrange。Iwaslikelyenoughtheonlyonewhonoticedit。Hispeopleareusedtohissincerities。AndthistimeitwasmerelythathehadafewwordstosayquietlytoGodandturnedasideforafewmomentstosaythem。

Hisearnestnessofbeliefinprayermakeshimafirmbelieverinanswerstoprayer，and，infact，towhatmaybetermedthedirectinterpositionofProvidence。Doubtlessthemysticstraininheritedfromhismotherhasalsomuchtodowiththis。

Hehasatypicallyhomelywayofexpressingitbyoneofhisfavoritemaxims，onethathelovestorepeatencouraginglytofriendswhoareindifficultiesthemselvesorwhoknowofthedifficultiesthatarehis；andthishearteningmaximis，“TrustinGodanddothenextthing。""

AtonetimeintheearlydaysofhischurchworkinPhiladelphiaapaymentofathousanddollarswasabsolutelyneededtopreventalaw-

suitinregardtoadebtforthechurchorgan。

Infact，itwasworsethanadebt；itwasanotesignedbyhimselfpersonally，thathadbecomedue——hewasalwaysreadytoassumepersonalliabilityfordebtsofhischurch——andfailuretomeetthenotewouldmeanameasureofdisgraceaswellasmarkedchurchdiscouragement。

Hehadtriedallthesourcesthatseemedopentohim，butinvain。Hecouldnotopenlyappealtothechurchmembers，inthiscase，foritwasintheearlydaysofhispastorate，andhiszealfortheorgan，hisdesireanddeterminationtohaveit，asanecessarypartofchurchequipment，hadoutrunthejudgmentofsomeofhisbestfriends，includingthatofthedeaconwhohadgonetoMassachusettsforhim。Theyhadurgedadelaytillotherexpensesweremet，andhehadactedagainsttheiradvice。

Hehadtriedsuchfriendsashecould，andhehadtriedprayer。Buttherewasnosignofaid，whethersupernaturalornatural。

Andthen，literallyontheverydayonwhichtheholderofthenotewastobeginproceedingsagainsthim，acheckforpreciselytheneededonethousanddollarscametohim，bymail，fromamanintheWest——amanwhowasatotalstrangertohim。Itturnedoutthattheman"ssister，whowasoneoftheTemplemembership，hadwrittentoherbrotherofDr。Conwell"swork。

Sheknewnothingofanyspecialneedformoney，knewnothingwhateverofanynoteorofthedemandforathousanddollars；shemerelyoutlinedtoherbrotherwhatDr。Conwellwasaccomplishing，andwithsuchenthusiasmthatthebrotheratoncesenttheopportunecheck。

Atalatertimethesumoftenthousanddollarswasimportunatelyneeded。Itwasdue，paymenthadbeenpromised。ItwasforsomeoftheconstructionworkoftheTempleUniversitybuildings。Thelastdayhadcome，andConwellandtheveryfewwhoknewoftheemergencywereinthedepthsofgloom。Itwastoolargeasumtoaskthechurchpeopletomakeup，fortheywerenotrichandtheyhadalreadybeengivingsplendidly，oftheirslendermeans，forthechurchandthenfortheuniversity。Therewasnorichmantoturnto；themenfamousforenormouscharitablegiftshaveneverletthemselvesbeinterestedinanyoftheworkofRussellConwell。Itwouldbeunkindandgratuitoustosuggestthatithasbeenbecausetheirnamescouldnotbepersonallyattached，orbecausetheworkisofanunpretentiouskindamongunpretentiouspeople；itneedmerelybesaidthatneithertheynortheiragentshavecaredtoaid，exceptthatoneoftheveryrichest，whosenameisthemostdistinguishedintheentireworldasagiver，didonce，inresponsetoastrongpersonalapplication，givethirty-fivehundreddollars，thisbeingtheextentoftheassociationofthewealthywithanyofthevariedConwellwork。

Sowhenitwasabsolutelynecessarytohavetenthousanddollarsthepossibilitiesofmoneyhadbeenexhausted，whetherfromcongregationorindividuals。

RussellConwell，inspiteofhissuperboptimism，isalsoamanofdeepdepressions，andthisisbecauseoftheveryfireandfervorofhisnature，foralwaysinsuchanaturethereisabalancing。Hebelievesinsuccess；successmustcome!——successisinitselfalmostareligionwithhim——successforhimselfandforalltheworldwhowilltryforit!Buttherearetimeswhenheissadanddoubtfuloversomeparticularpossibility。Andheintenselybelievesinprayer——faithcanmovemountains；

butalwayshebelievesthatitisbetternottowaitforthemountainsthustobemoved，buttogorightoutandgettoworkatmovingthem。Andonceinawhiletherecomesatimewhenthemountainloomstoothreatening，evenafterthebravesteffortsandthedeepesttrust。

Suchatimehadcome——theten-thousand-dollardebtwasaloomingmountainthathehadtriedinvaintomove。Hecouldstillpray，andhedid，butitwasoneofthetimeswhenhecouldonlythinkthatsomethinghadgonewrong。

Thedeanoftheuniversity，whohasbeencloselyintouchwithallhisworkformanyyears，toldmeofhow，inadiscouragementwhichwasthemorenotablethroughcontrastwithhisusualunfailingcourage，helefttheexecutiveofficesforhishome，acoupleofblocksaway“Hewentawaywitheverythinglookingdarkbeforehim。ItwasChristmas-time，buttheveryfactofitsbeingChristmasonlyaddedtohisdepression——Christmaswassuchanunnaturaltimeforunhappiness!Butinafewminuteshecameflyingback，radiant，overjoyed，sparklingwithhappiness，wavingaslipofpaperinhishandwhichwasacheckforpreciselytenthousanddollars!Forhehadjustdrawnitoutofanenvelopehandedtohim，ashereachedhome，bythemail-carrier。

“Andithadcomesostrangelyandsonaturally!

Forthecheckwasfromawomanwhowasprofoundlyinterestedinhiswork，andwhohadsentthecheckknowingthatinageneralwayitwasneeded，butwithouttheleastideathattherewasanyimmediateneed。Thatwaseightornineyearsago，butalthoughthedonorwastoldatthetimethatDr。Conwellandallofusweremostgratefulforthegift，itwasnotuntilveryrecentlythatshewastoldhowopportuneitwas。

AndthechangeitmadeinDr。Conwell!Heisagreatmanformaxims，andallofuswhoareassociatedwithhimknowthatoneofhisfavoritesisthat`Itwillallcomeoutrightsometime!"

Andofcoursewehadarareopportunitytotellhimthatheoughtnevertobediscouraged。Anditissoseldomthatheis!""

Whenthebignewchurchwasbuildingthemembersofthechurchwerevaguelydisturbedbynoticing，whenthestructurereachedthesecondstory，thatatthatheight，onthesidetowardthevacantandunboughtlandadjoining，therewereseveraldoorsbuiltthatopenedliterallyintonothingbutspace!

Whenaskedaboutthesedoorsandtheirpurpose，Dr。Conwellwouldmakesomecasualreply，generallytotheeffectthattheymightbeexcellentasfire-escapes。Tonoone，forquiteawhile，didhebroachevenahintofthegreatplanthatwasseethinginhismind，whichwasthatthebuildingsofauniversityweresomedaytostandonthatlandimmediatelyadjoiningthechurch!

Atthattimetheuniversity，theTempleUniversityasitisnowcalled，wasnotevenacollege，althoughitwasprobablycalledacollege。Conwellhadorganizedit，anditconsistedofanumberofclassesandteachers，meetinginhighlyinadequatequartersintwolittlehouses。ButtheimaginationofConwellearlypicturedgreatnewbuildingswithaccommodationsforthousands!Intimethedreamwasrealized，theimaginationbecameafact，andnowthosesecond-floordoorsactuallyopenfromtheTempleChurchintotheTempleUniversity!

Yousee，healwaysthinksbig!Hedreamsbigdreamsandwinsbigsuccess。Allhislifehehastalkedandpreachedsuccess，anditisarealandverypracticalbeliefwithhimthatitisjustaseasytodoalargethingasasmallone，and，infact，alittleeasier!Andsohenaturallydoesnotseewhyoneshouldbesatisfiedwiththesmallthingsoflife。“Ifyourroomsarebigthepeoplewillcomeandfillthem，""helikestosay。Thesameeffortthatwinsasmallsuccesswould，rightlydirected，havewonagreatsuccess。“Thinkbigthingsandthendothem!""

Mostfavoriteofallmaximswiththismanofmaxims，is“LetPatiencehaveherperfectwork。""

Overandoverhelovestosayit，andhisfriendslaughabouthisloveforit，andheknowsthattheydoandlaughsaboutithimself。“Itirethemall，""