“`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。''
IV
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。
V
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，''