IshutmyeyesnowandlookbacktomynativetowninMassachusetts，andIseethecattle-showgroundonthemountain-top；Icanseethehorse-
shedsthere。IcanseetheCongregationalchurch；
seethetownhallandmountaineers\'cottages；
seeagreatassemblyofpeopleturningout，dressedresplendently，andIcanseeflagsflyingandhandkerchiefswavingandhearbandsplaying。Icanseethatcompanyofsoldiersthathadre-enlistedmarchinguponthatcattle-showground。Iwasbutaboy，butIwascaptainofthatcompanyandpuffedoutwithpride。Acambricneedlewouldhaveburstmealltopieces。ThenIthoughtitwasthegreatesteventthatevercametomanonearth。Ifyouhaveeverthoughtyouwouldliketobeakingorqueen，yougoandbereceivedbythemayor。
Thebandsplayed，andallthepeopleturnedouttoreceiveus。ImarchedupthatCommonsoproudattheheadofmytroops，andweturneddownintothetownhall。ThentheyseatedmysoldiersdownthecenteraisleandIsatdownonthefrontseat。Agreatassemblyofpeopleahundredortwo——cameintofillthetownhall，sothattheystoodupallaround。Thenthetownofficerscameinandformedahalf-circle。Themayorofthetownsatinthemiddleoftheplatform。Hewasamanwhohadneverheldofficebefore；buthewasagoodman，andhisfriendshavetoldmethatImightusethiswithoutgivingthemoffense。Hewasagoodman，buthethoughtanofficemadeamangreat。Hecameupandtookhisseat，adjustedhispowerfulspectacles，andlookedaround，whenhesuddenlyspiedmesittingthereonthefrontseat。Hecamerightforwardontheplatformandinvitedmeuptositwiththetownofficers。NotownofficerevertookanynoticeofmebeforeIwenttowar，excepttoadvisetheteachertothrashme，andnowIwasinviteduponthestandwiththetownofficers。Ohmy!
thetownmayorwasthentheemperor，thekingofourdayandourtime。AsIcameupontheplatformtheygavemeachairaboutthisfar，I
wouldsay，fromthefront。
WhenIhadgotseated，thechairmanoftheSelectmenaroseandcameforwardtothetable，andweallsupposedhewouldintroducetheCongregationalminister，whowastheonlyoratorintown，andthathewouldgivetheorationtothereturningsoldiers。But，friends，youshouldhaveseenthesurprisewhichranovertheaudiencewhentheydiscoveredthattheoldfellowwasgoingtodeliverthatspeechhimself。Hehadnevermadeaspeechinhislife，buthefellintothesameerrorthathundredsofothermenhavefalleninto。Itseemssostrangethatamanwon\'tlearnhemustspeakhispieceasaboyifhein-
tendstobeanoratorwhenheisgrown，butheseemstothinkallhehastodoistoholdanofficetobeagreatorator。
Sohecameuptothefront，andbroughtwithhimaspeechwhichhehadlearnedbyheartwalkingupanddownthepasture，wherehehadfrightenedthecattle。Hebroughtthemanuscriptwithhimandspreaditoutonthetablesoastobesurehemightseeit。Headjustedhisspectaclesandleanedoveritforamomentandmarchedbackonthatplatform，andthencameforwardlikethis——tramp，tramp，tramp。Hemusthavestudiedthesubjectagreatdeal，whenyoucometothinkofit，becauseheassumedan“elocutionary\'\'
attitude。Herestedheavilyuponhisleftheel，threwbackhisshoulders，slightlyadvancedtherightfoot，openedtheorgansofspeech，andadvancedhisrightfootatanangleofforty-
five。Ashestoodinthatelocutionaryattitude，friends，thisisjustthewaythatspeechwent。
Somepeoplesaytome，“Don\'tyouexaggerate?\'\'
Thatwouldbeimpossible。ButIamhereforthelessonandnotforthestory，andthisisthewayitwent:
“Fellow-citizens——\'\'Assoonasheheardhisvoicehisfingersbegantogolikethat，hiskneesbegantoshake，andthenhetrembledallover。
Hechokedandswallowedandcamearoundtothetabletolookatthemanuscript。Thenhegatheredhimselfupwithclenchedfistsandcameback:“Fellow-citizens，weareFellow-citizens，weare——weare——weare——weare——weare——weareveryhappy——weareveryhappy——weareveryhappy。Weareveryhappytowelcomebacktotheirnativetownthesesoldierswhohavefoughtandbled——andcomebackagaintotheirnativetown。Weareespecially——weareespecially——weareespecially。Weareespeciallypleasedtoseewithusto-daythisyounghero\'\'(thatmeantme)——“thisyoungherowhoinimagination\'\'
(friends，rememberhesaidthat；ifhehadnotsaid“inimagination\'\'Iwouldnotbeegotisticenoughtorefertoitatall)——“thisyoungherowhoinimaginationwehaveseenleading——wehaveseenleading——leading。Wehaveseenleadinghistroopsontothedeadlybreach。Wehaveseenhisshining——wehaveseenhisshining——hisshining——hisshiningsword——flashing。Flashinginthesunlight，asheshoutedtohistroops，`Comeon\'!\'\'
Ohdear，dear，dear!howlittlethatgoodmanknewaboutwar。IfhehadknownanythingaboutwaratallheoughttohaveknownwhatanyofmyG。A。R。comradeshereto-nightwilltellyouistrue，thatitisnexttoacrimeforanofficerofinfantryeverintimeofdangertogoaheadofhismen。“I，withmyshiningswordflashinginthesunlight，shoutingtomytroops，`Comeon\'!\'\'Ineverdidit。DoyousupposeIwouldgetinfrontofmymentobeshotinfrontbytheenemyandinthebackbymyownmen?
Thatisnoplaceforanofficer。Theplacefortheofficerinactualbattleisbehindtheline。Howoften，asastaffofficer，Irodedowntheline，whenourmenweresuddenlycalledtothelineofbattle，andtheRebelyellswerecomingoutofthewoods，andshouted:“Officerstotherear!Officerstotherear!\'\'Theneveryofficergetsbehindthelineofprivatesoldiers，andthehighertheofficer\'srankthefartherbehindhegoes。Notbecauseheisanythelessbrave，butbecausethelawsofwarrequirethat。Andyetheshouted，“I，withmyshiningsword——\'\'InthathousetheresatthecompanyofmysoldierswhohadcarriedthatboyacrosstheCarolinariversthathemightnotwethisfeet。Someofthemhadgonefarouttogetapigorachicken。Someofthemhadgonetodeathundertheshell-sweptpinesinthemountainsofTennessee，yetinthegoodman\'sspeechtheywerescarcelyknown。Hedidrefertothem，butonlyincidentally。Theheroofthehourwasthisboy。Didthenationowehimanything?
No，nothingthenandnothingnow。Whywashethehero?Simplybecausethatmanfellintothatsamehumanerror——thatthisboywasgreatbecausehewasanofficerandthesewereonlyprivatesoldiers。
Oh，IlearnedthelessonthenthatIwillneverforgetsolongasthetongueofthebelloftimecontinuestoswingforme。Greatnessconsistsnotintheholdingofsomefutureoffice，butreallyconsistsindoinggreatdeedswithlittlemeansandtheaccomplishmentofvastpurposesfromtheprivateranksoflife。Tobegreatatallonemustbegreathere，now，inPhiladelphia。Hewhocangivetothiscitybetterstreetsandbettersidewalks，betterschoolsandmorecolleges，morehappinessandmorecivilization，moreofGod，hewillbegreatanywhere。Leteverymanorwomanhere，ifyouneverhearmeagain，rememberthis，thatifyouwishtobegreatatall，youmustbeginwhereyouareandwhatyouare，inPhiladelphia，now。Hethatcangivetohiscityanyblessing，hewhocanbeagoodcitizenwhileheliveshere，hethatcanmakebetterhomes，hethatcanbeablessingwhetherheworksintheshoporsitsbehindthecounterorkeepshouse，whateverbehislife，hewhowouldbegreatanywheremustfirstbegreatinhisownPhiladelphia。
HISLIFEANDACHIEVEMENTS
BY
ROBERTSHACKLETON
THESTORYOFTHESWORD[2]
[2]_Dr，Conwellwasliving，andactivelyatwork，whenthesepageswerewritten。Itis，therefore，amuchtruerpictureofhispersonalitythananythingwritteninthepasttense_。
ISHALLwriteofaremarkableman，aninterestingman，amanofpower，ofinitiative，ofwill，ofpersistence；amanwhoplansvastlyandwhorealizeshisplans；amanwhonotonlydoesthingshimself，butwho，evenmoreimportantthanthat，istheconstantinspirationofothers。IshallwriteofRussellH。Conwell。
Asafarmer\'sboyhewastheleaderoftheboysoftherockyregionthatwashishome；asaschool-
teacherhewondevotion；asanewspapercorrespondenthegainedfame；asasoldierintheCivilWarherosetoimportantrank；asalawyerhedevelopedalargepractice；asanauthorhewrotebooksthatreachedamightytotalofsales。Heleftthelawfortheministryandistheactiveheadofagreatchurchthatheraisedfromnothingness。
Heisthemostpopularlecturerintheworldandyearlyspeakstomanythousands。Heis，sotospeak，thediscovererof“AcresofDiamonds，\'\'
throughwhichthousandsofmenandwomenhaveachievedsuccessoutoffailure。Heistheheadoftwohospitals，oneofthemfoundedbyhimself，thathavecaredforahostofpatients，boththepoorandtherich，irrespectiveofraceorcreed。
Heisthefounderandheadofauniversitythathasalreadyhadtensofthousandsofstudents。
HishomeisinPhiladelphia；butheisknownineverycornerofeverystateintheUnion，andeverywherehehashostsoffriends。Allofhislifehehashelpedandinspiredothers。
Quitebychance，andonlyyesterday，literallyyesterdayandbychance，andwithnothoughtatthemomentofConwellalthoughhehadbeenmuchinmymindforsometimepast，IpickedupathinlittlebookofdescriptionbyWilliamDeanHowells，and，turningthepagesofachapteronLexington，oldLexingtonoftheRevolution，written，soHowellshadsetdown，in1882，I
noticed，afterhehadwrittenofthetownitself，andofthelong-pastfightthere，andofthepresent-
dayaspect，thathementionedthechurchlifeoftheplaceandremarkedonthestrikingadvancesmadebytheBaptists，whohadlately，asheexpressedit，beenreconstitutedoutofveryperishingfragmentsandmadestrongandflourishing，undertheministrationsofalaypreacher，formerlyacolonelintheUnionarmy。AnditwasonlyafewdaysbeforeIchanceduponthisdescriptionthatDr。Conwell，theformercolonelandformerlaypreacher，hadtoldmeofhisexperiencesinthatlittleoldRevolutionarytown。
Howellswentontosaythat，sohewastold，thecolonel\'ssuccesswasprincipallyduetohismakingthechurchattractivetoyoungpeople。
Howellssaysnomoreofhim；apparentlyhedidnotgotohearhim；andonewondersifhehaseverassociatedthatlaypreacherofLexingtonwiththefamousRussellH。Conwelloftheserecentyears!
“Attractivetoyoungpeople。\'\'Yes，onecanrecognizethatto-day，justasitwasrecognizedinLexington。Anditmaybeaddedthatheatthesametimeattractsolderpeople，too!Inthis，indeed，lieshispower。Hemakeshischurchinteresting，hissermonsinteresting，hislecturesinteresting。Heishimselfinteresting!Becauseofhisbeinginteresting，hegainsattention。Theattentiongained，heinspires。
Biographyismorethandates。Dates，afterall，arebutmile-stonesalongtheroadoflife。AndthemostimportantfactofConwell\'slifeisthathelivedtobeeighty-two，workingsixteenhourseverydayforthegoodofhisfellow-men。HewasbornonFebruary15，1843——bornofpoorparents，inalow-roofedcottageintheeasternBerkshires，inMassachusetts。
“Iwasborninthisroom，\'\'hesaidtome，simply，aswesattogetherrecently[3]infrontoftheoldfireplaceintheprincipalroomofthelittlecottage；forhehasboughtbacktherockyfarmofhisfather，andhasretainedandrestoredthelittleoldhome。“Iwasborninthisroom。Itwasbedroomandkitchen。Itwaspoverty。\'\'Andhisvoicesankwithakindofgrimnessintosilence。
[3]_ThisinterviewtookplaceattheoldConwellfarminthesummerof1915_。
Thenhespokealittleofthestrugglesofthoselong-pastyears；andwewentoutontheporch，astheeveningshadowsfell，andlookedoutoverthevalleyandstreamandhillsofhisyouth，andhetoldofhisgrandmother，andofayoungMarylanderwhohadcometotheregiononavisit；
itwasataleoftheimpetuousloveofthosetwo，ofrashmarriage，oftheinterferenceofparents，ofthefiercerivalryofanothersuitor，ofanattackontheMarylander\'slife，ofpassionatehastiness，ofunforgivablewords，ofseparation，oflifelongsorrow。“Whydoesgrandmothercrysooften?\'\'
heremembersaskingwhenhewasalittleboy。
Andhewastoldthatitwasforthehusbandofheryouth。
Wewentbackintothelittlehouse，andheshowedmetheroominwhichhefirstsawJohnBrown。“Icamedownearlyonemorning，andsawahuge，hairymansprawleduponthebedthere——andIwasfrightened，\'\'hesays。
ButJohnBrowndidnotlongfrightenhim!
Forhewasmuchattheirhouseafterthat，andwassofriendlywithRussellandhisbrotherthattherewasnochanceforawe；anditgivesacuriousside-
lightonthecharacterofthesternabolitionistthatheactually，withinfinitepatience，taughttheoldhorseoftheConwellstogohomealonewiththewagonafterleavingtheboysatschool，amileormoreaway，andatschool-closingtimetotrotgentlyoffforthemwithoutadriverwhenmerelyfacedinthatdirectionandtoldtogo!ConwellremembershowJohnBrown，intrainingit，usedpatientlytowalkbesidethehorse，andcontrolitsgoinganditsturnings，untilitwasquitereadytogoandturnentirelybyitself。
TheConwellhousewasastationontheUndergroundRailway，andRussellConwellremembers，whenalad，seeingtheescapingslavesthathisfatherhaddrivenacrosscountryandtemporarilyhidden。“Thosewereheroicdays，\'\'hesays，quietly。“Andonceinawhilemyfatherletmegowithhim。Theywerewonderfulnightdrives——
thecoweringslaves，thedarknessoftheroad，thecautionandthesilenceanddreadofitall。\'\'
Thisundergroundroute，heremembers，wasfromPhiladelphiatoNewHaven，thencetoSpringfield，whereConwell\'sfatherwouldtakehischarge，andonwardtoBellowsFallsandCanada。
Conwelltells，too，ofmeetingFrederickDouglass，thecoloredorator，inthatlittlecottageinthehills。“`Ineversawmyfather，\'Douglasssaidoneday——hisfatherwasawhiteman——`andI
rememberlittleofmymotherexceptthatonceshetriedtokeepanoverseerfromwhippingme，andthelashcutacrossherownface，andherbloodfelloverme。\'
“WhenJohnBrownwascaptured，\'\'Conwellwenton，“myfathertriedtosellthisplacetogetalittlemoneytosendtohelphisdefense。
Buthecouldn\'tsellit，andonthedayoftheexecu-
tionwekneltsolemnlyhere，fromeleventotwelve，justpraying，prayinginsilenceforthepassingsoulofJohnBrown。Andasweprayedweknewthatotherswerealsopraying，forachurch-belltolledduringthatentirehour，anditsawesomeboomwentsadlysoundingoverthesehills。\'\'
ConwellbelievesthathisreallifedatesfromahappeningofthetimeoftheCivilWar——ahappeningthatstillloomsvividandintensebeforehim，andwhichundoubtedlydiddeepenandstrengthenhisstronganddeepnature。YettherealConwellwasalwaysessentiallythesame。
Neighborhoodtraditionstilltellsofhisbraveryasaboyandayouth，ofhisrecklesscoasting，hisskillasaswimmerandhissavingoflives，hisstrengthandendurance，hisplungingoutintothedarknessofawildwinternighttosaveaneighbor\'scattle。Hissoldierscamehomewithtalesofhisdevotiontothem，andofhowhesharedhisrationsandhisblanketsandbravelyriskedhislife；ofhowhecreptoffintoaswamp，atimminentperil，torescueoneofhismenlostormiredthere。ThepresentConwellwasalwaysConwell；
infact，hemaybetracedthroughhisancestry，too，forinhimarethesturdyvirtues，thebravery，thegrimdetermination，thepracticality，ofhisfather；
andromanticism，thatcomesfromhisgrandmother；
andthedreamyqualitiesofhismother，who，practicalandhardworkingNewEnglandwomanthatshewas，wasatthesametimeinfluencedbyanalmoststartlingmysticism。
AndConwellhimselfisadreamer:firstofallheisadreamer；itisthemostimportantfactinregardtohim!Itisbecauseheisadreamerandvisualizeshisdreamsthathecanplanthegreatthingsthattoothermenwouldseemimpossibilities；andthenhisintenselypracticalsidehisintenseefficiency，hispower，hisskill，hispatience，hisfineearnestness，hismasteryoverothers，develophisdreamsintorealities。
Hedreamsdreamsandseesvisions——buthisvisionsarenevervisionaryandhisdreamsbecomefacts。
Therockyhillswhichmeantadoggedstruggleforveryexistence，thefugitiveslaves，JohnBrown——whataschoolforyouth!Andtheliteralschoolwasatinyone-roomschool-housewhereyoungConwellcameunderthecareofateacherwhorealizedtheboy\'sunusualcapabilitiesandwasabletogivehimbroadandunusualhelp。Thenawisecountrypreacheralsorecognizedtheunusual，andurgedtheparentstogivestillmoreeducation，whereuponsupremeeffortwasmadeandyoungRussellwassenttoWilbrahamAcademy。
Helikestotellofhislifethere，andofthehardships，ofwhichhemakeslight；andofthejoywithwhichweek-endpiesandcakeswerereceivedfromhome!
Hetellsofhowhewentoutontheroadssellingbooksfromhousetohouse，andofhoweagerlyhedevouredthecontentsofthesamplebooksthathecarried。“Theywereafoundationoflearningforme，\'\'hesays，soberly。“Andtheygavemeabroadideaoftheworld。\'\'
HewenttoYalein1860，buttheoutbreakofthewarinterferedwithcollege，andheenlistedin1861。Buthewasonlyeighteen，andhisfatherobjected，andhewentbacktoYale。Butnextyearheagainenlisted，andmenofhisBerkshireneighborhood，likewiseenlisting，insistedthathebetheircaptain；andGovernorAndrews，appealedto，consentedtocommissionthenineteen-year-
oldyouthwhowassoevidentlyanaturalleader；
andthemengavefreelyoftheirscantmoneytogetforhimasword，allgayandsplendidwithgilt，andupontheswordwasthedeclarationinstatelyLatinthat，“Truefriendshipiseternal。\'\'
Andwiththatswordisassociatedthemostvivid，themostmomentousexperienceofRussellConwell\'slife。
ThatswordhangsattheheadofConwell\'sbedinhishomeinPhiladelphia。Manofpeacethatheis，andministerofpeace，thatsymbolofwarhasforoverhalfacenturybeenofinfiniteimportancetohim。
Hetoldmethestoryaswestoodtogetherbeforethatsword。Andashetoldthestory，speakingwithquietrepression，butseeingitallandlivingitalljustasvividlyasifithadoccurredbutyesterday，“Thatswordhasmeantsomuchtome，\'\'
hemurmured；andthenhebeganthetale:
“AboyupthereintheBerkshires，aneighbor\'sson，wasJohnRing；Icallhimaboy，forweallcalledhimaboy，andwelookeduponhimasaboy，forhewasunder-sizedandunder-developed——
somuchsothathecouldnotenlist。
“Butforsomereasonhewasdevotedtome，andhenotonlywantedtoenlist，buthealsowantedtobeintheartillerycompanyofwhichI
wascaptain；andIcouldonlytakehimalongasmyservant。Ididn\'twantaservant，butitwastheonlywaytotakepoorlittleJohnnieRing。
“Johnniewasdeeplyreligious，andwouldreadtheBibleeveryeveningbeforeturningin。InthosedaysIwasanatheist，oratleastthoughtI
was，andIusedtolaughatRing，andafterawhilehetooktoreadingtheBibleoutsidethetentonaccountofmylaughingathim!Buthedidnotstopreadingit，andhisfaithfulnesstomeremainedunchanged。
“Thescabbardoftheswordwastooglitteringfortheregulations\'\'——theghostofasmilehoveredonConwell\'slips——“andIcouldnotwearit，andcouldonlywearaplainoneforserviceandkeepthishanginginmytentonthetent-pole。JohnRingusedtohandleitadoringly，andkeptitpolishedtobrilliancy——It\'sdullenoughthesemanyyears，\'\'headded，somberly。“ToRingitrepresentednotonlyhiscaptain，buttheverygloryandpompofwar。
“OnedaytheConfederatessuddenlystormedourpositionnearNewBerneandsweptthroughthecamp，drivingourentireforcebeforethem；
andall，includingmycompany，retreatedhurriedlyacrosstheriver，settingfiretoalongwoodenbridgeaswewentover。Itsoonblazedupfuriously，makingabarrierthattheConfederatescouldnotpass。
“But，unknowntoeverybody，andunnoticed，JohnRinghaddashedbacktomytent。Ithinkhewasabletomakehiswaybackbecausehejustlookedlikeamereboy；buthoweverthatwas，hegotpasttheConfederatesintomytentandtookdown，fromwhereitwashangingonthetent-
pole，mybright，gold-scabbardedsword。
“JohnRingseizedtheswordthathadlongbeensoprecioustohim。Hedodgedhereandthere，andactuallymanagedtogainthebridgejustasitwasbeginningtoblaze。Hestartedacross。Theflameswereeverymomentgettingfiercer，thesmokedenser，andnowandthen，ashecrawledandstaggeredon，heleanedforafewsecondsfarovertheedgeofthebridgeinanefforttogetair。
Bothsidessawhim；bothsideswatchedhisterribleprogress，evenwhilefiringwasfiercelykeptupfromeachsideoftheriver。AndthenaConfederateofficer——hewasoneofGeneralPickett\'sofficers——rantothewater\'sedgeandwavedawhitehandkerchiefandthefiringceased。
“`Tellthatboytocomebackhere!\'hecried。
`Tellhimtocomebackhereandwewilllethimgofree!\'
“HecalledthisoutjustasRingwasabouttoenterupontheworstpartofthebridge——thecov-
eredpart，wherethereweretopandbottomandsidesofblazingwood。TheroaroftheflameswassoclosetoRingthathecouldnothearthecallsfromeithersideoftheriver，andhepusheddesperatelyonanddisappearedinthecoveredpart。
“Therewasdeadsilenceexceptforthecracklingofthefire。Notamancriedout。Allwaitedinhopelessexpectancy。AndthencameamightyyellfromNorthernerandSoutherneralike，forJohnniecamecrawlingoutoftheendofthecoveredway——hehadactuallypassedthroughthatfrightfulplace——andhisclotheswereablaze，andhetoppledoverandfellintoshallowwater；andinafewmomentshewasdraggedout，unconscious，andhurriedtoahospital。
“Helingeredforadayorso，stillunconscious，andthencametohimselfandsmiledalittleashefoundthattheswordforwhichhehadgivenhislifehadbeenleftbesidehim。Hetookitinhisarms。Hehuggedittohisbreast。Hegaveafewwordsoffinalmessageforme。Andthatwasall。\'\'
Conwell\'svoicehadgonethrillinglylowashenearedtheend，foritwasallsovery，veryvividtohim，andhiseyeshadgrowntenderandhislipsmorestrongandfirm。Andhefellsilent，thinkingofthatlong-agohappening，andthoughhelookeddownuponthethrongingtrafficofBroadStreet，itwasclearthathedidnotseeit，andthatiftherumblinghubbubofsoundmeantanythingtohimitwastherumblingofthegunsofthedistantpast。Whenhespokeagainitwaswithastilltensertoneoffeeling。
“WhenIstoodbesidethebodyofJohnRingandrealizedthathehaddiedforloveofme，I
madeavowthathasformedmylife。IvowedthatfromthatmomentIwouldlivenotonlymyownlife，butthatIwouldalsolivethelifeofJohnRing。AndfromthatmomentIhaveworkedsixteenhourseveryday——eightforJohnRing\'sworkandeighthoursformyown。\'\'
Acuriousnotehadcomeintohisvoice，asofonewhohadruntheraceandnearedthegoal，foughtthegoodfightandnearedtheend。
“EverymorningwhenIriseIlookatthissword，orifIamawayfromhomeIthinkofthesword，andvowanewthatanotherdayshallseesixteenhoursofworkfromme。\'\'AndwhenonecomestoknowRussellConwellonerealizesthatneverdidamanworkmorehardandconstantly，“ItwasthroughJohnRingandhisgivinghislifethroughdevotiontomethatIbecameaChristian，\'\'hewenton。“Thisdidnotcomeaboutimmediately，butitcamebeforethewarwasover，anditcamethroughfaithfulJohnnieRing。\'\'
ThereisalittlelonelycemeteryintheBerkshires，atinyburying-groundonawind-swepthill，afewmilesfromConwell\'soldhome。Inthisisolatedburying-groundbushesandvinesandgrassgrowinprofusion，andafewtreescastagentleshade；andtree-cladhillsgobillowingoffformilesandmilesinwildandlonelybeauty。
AndinthatlonelylittlegraveyardIfoundtheplainstonethatmarkstheresting-placeofJohnRing。
II
THEBEGINNINGATOLDLEXINGTON
ITisnotbecauseheisaministerthatRussellConwellissuchaforceintheworld。HewentintotheministrybecausehewassincerelyandprofoundlyaChristian，andbecausehefeltthatasaministerhecoulddomoregoodintheworldthaninanyothercapacity。Butbeingaministerisbutanincident，sotospeak。Theimportantthingisnotthatheisaminister，butthatheishimself!
RecentlyIheardaNew-Yorker，theheadofagreatcorporation，say:“IbelievethatRussellConwellisdoingmoregoodintheworldthananymanwhohaslivedsinceJesusChrist。\'\'Andhesaidthisinseriousandunexaggeratedearnest。
YetConwelldidnotgetreadilyintohislife-
work。Hemighthaveseemedalmostafailureuntilhewaswellontowardforty，foralthoughhekeptmakingsuccessestheywerenotpermanentsuccesses，andhedidnotsettlehimselfintoadefiniteline。Herestlesslywentwestwardtomakehishome，andthenrestlesslyreturnedtotheEast。Afterthewarwasoverhewasalawyer，hewasalecturer，hewasaneditor，hewentaroundtheworldasacorrespondent，hewrotebooks。
Hekeptmakingmoney，andkeptlosingit；helostitthroughfire，throughinvestments，throughaidinghisfriends。Itisprobablethattheunsettlednessoftheyearsfollowingthewarwasduetotheunsettlingeffectofthewaritself，whichthus，initsinfluence，brokeintohismaturelifeafterbreakingintohisyearsatYale。Buthoweverthatmaybe，thoseseething，changing，stirringyearswereyearsofvitalimportancetohim，forinthemyriadexperiencesofthattimehewasbuildingthefoundationoftheConwellthatwastocome。
Abroadhemetthenotablesoftheearth。Athomehemadehostsoffriendsandloyaladmirers。
Itisworthwhilenotingthatasalawyerhewouldnevertakeacase，eithercivilorcriminal，thatheconsideredwrong。Itwasbasicwithhimthathecouldnotandwouldnotfightonwhathethoughtwasthewrongside。Onlywhenhisclientwasrightwouldhegoahead!
Yethelaughs，hisquiet，infectious，characteristiclaugh，ashetellsofhowoncehewasdeceived，forhedefendedaman，chargedwithstealingawatch，whowassoobviouslyinnocentthathetookthecaseinablazeofindignationandhadtheyoungfellowproudlyexonerated。Thenextdaythewronglyaccusedonecametohisofficeandshamefacedlytookoutthewatchthathehadbeenchargedwithstealing。“IwantyoutosendittothemanItookitfrom，\'\'hesaid。Andhetoldwithasortofshamefacedprideofhowhehadgotagoodolddeacontogive，inallsincerity，theevidencethatexculpatedhim。“And，say，Mr。Conwell——Iwanttothankyouforgettingmeoff——andIhopeyou\'llexcusemydeceivingyou——and——Iwon\'tbeanyworsefornotgoingtojail。\'\'AndConwelllikestorememberthatthereaftertheyoungmanliveduptotheprideofexoneration；and，thoughConwelldoesnotsayitorthinkit，oneknowsthatitwastheConwellinfluencethatinspiredtohonesty——foralwaysheisaninspirer。
Conwellevenkeptcertainhoursforconsultationwiththosetoopoortopayanyfee；andatonetime，whilestillanactivelawyer，hewasguardianforoversixtychildren!Themanhasalwaysbeenamarvel，andalwaysoneiscominguponsuchromanticfactsasthese。
Thatisacuriousthingabouthim——howmuchthereisofromanceinhislife!WorshipedtotheendbyJohnRing；leftfordeadallnightatKenesawMountain；calmlysinging“Nearer，myGod，toThee，\'\'toquietthepassengersonasupposedlysinkingship；savinglivesevenwhenaboy；neverdisappointingasingleaudienceofthethousandsofaudienceshehasarrangedtoaddressduringallhisyearsoflecturing!Hehimselftakesalittleprideinthislastpoint，anditischaracteristicofhimthathehasactuallyforgottenthatjustoncehedidfailtoappear:hehasquiteforgottenthatoneevening，onhiswaytoalecture，hestoppedarunawayhorsetosavetwowomen\'slives，andwentinconsequencetoahospitalinsteadoftotheplatform!Anditistypicalofhimtoforgetthatsortofthing。
TheemotionaltemperamentofConwellhasalwaysmadehimresponsivetothegreat，thestriking，thepatriotic。HewasdeeplyinfluencedbyknowingJohnBrown，andhisbriefmemoriesofLincolnareintense，thoughhesawhimbutthreetimesinall。
ThefirsttimehesawLincolnwasonthenightwhenthefuturePresidentdeliveredtheaddress，whichafterwardbecamesofamous，inCooperUnion，NewYork。ThenameofLincolnwasthenscarcelyknown，anditwasbymerechancethatyoungConwellhappenedtobeinNewYorkonthatday。Butbeingthere，andlearningthatAbrahamLincolnfromtheWestwasgoingtomakeanaddress，hewenttohearhim。
HetellshowuncouthlyLincolnwasdressed，evenwithonetrousers-leghigherthantheother，andofhowawkwardhewas，andofhowpoorly，atfirst，hespokeandwithwhatapparentembarrassment。ThechairmanofthemeetinggotLincolnaglassofwater，andConwellthoughtthatitwasfromapersonaldesiretohelphimandkeephimfrombreakingdown。ButhelovestotellhowLincolnbecameachangedmanashespoke；howheseemedtofeelashamedofhisbriefembarrassmentand，pullinghimselftogetherandputtingasidethewrittenspeechwhichhehadprepared，spokefreelyandpowerfully，withsplendidconviction，asonlyabornoratorspeaks。ToConwellitwasatremendousexperience。
ThesecondtimehesawLincolnwaswhenhewenttoWashingtontopleadforthelifeofoneofhismenwhohadbeencondemnedtodeathforsleepingonpost。Hewasstillbutacaptain(hispromotiontoacolonelcywasstilltocome)，ayouth，andwasawedbygoingintothepresenceofthemanheworshiped。Andhisvoicetremblesalittle，evennow，ashetellsofhowpleasantlyLincolnlookedupfromhisdesk，andhowcheerfullyheaskedhisbusinesswithhim，andofhowabsorbedlyLincolnthenlistenedtohistale，although，soitappeared，healreadyknewofthemainoutline。
“Itwillbeallright，\'\'saidLincoln，whenConwellfinished。ButConwellwasstillfrightened。
Hefearedthatinthemultiplicityofpublicmattersthismerematterofthelifeofamountainboy，aprivatesoldier，mightbeforgottentilltoolate。“Itisalmostthetimeset——\'\'hefaltered。
AndConwell\'svoicealmostbreaks，manofemotionthatheis，ashetellsofhowLincolnsaid，withsterngravity:“Goandtelegraphthatsoldier\'smotherthatAbrahamLincolnneversignedawarranttoshootaboyundertwenty，andneverwill。\'\'ThatwastheoneandonlytimethathespokewithLincoln，anditremainsanindelibleimpression。
ThethirdtimehesawLincolnwaswhen，asofficeroftheday，hestoodforhoursbesidethedeadbodyofthePresidentasitlayinstateinWashington。Inthosehours，ashestoodrigidlyasthethrongwentshufflingsorrowfullythrough，animmenseimpressioncametoColonelConwelloftheworkandworthofthemanwhotherelaydead，andthatimpressionhasneverdeparted。
JohnBrown，AbrahamLincoln，oldRevolutionaryLexington——howConwell\'slifeisassociatedwithfamousmenandplaces!——anditwasactuallyatLexingtonthathemadethecrucialdecisionastothecourseofhislife!Anditseemstomethatitwas，althoughquiteunconsciously，becauseoftheveryfactthatitwasLexingtonthatConwellwasinfluencedtodecideandtoactashedid。Haditbeeninsomeotherkindofplace，somemerelyordinaryplace，somequiteusualplace，hemightnothavetakentheimportantstep。ButitwasLexington，itwasbraveoldLexington，inspiringLexington；andhewasinspiredbyit，forthemanwhohimselfinspiresnoblyisalwaystheonewhoishimselfopentonobleinspiration。Lexingtoninspiredhim。
“WhenIwasalawyerinBostonandalmostthirty-sevenyearsold，\'\'hetoldme，thinkingslowlybackintotheyears，“IwasconsultedbyawomanwhoaskedmyadviceinregardtodisposingofalittlechurchinLexingtonwhosecongregationhadbecomeunabletosupportit。I
wentoutandlookedattheplace，andItoldherhowthepropertycouldbesold。Butitseemedapitytomethatthelittlechurchshouldbegivenup。However，Iadvisedameetingofthechurchmembers，andIattendedthemeeting。Iputthecasetothem——itwasonlyahandfulofmenandwomen——andtherewassilenceforalittle。Thenanoldmanroseand，inaquaveringvoice，saidthematterwasquiteclear；thatthereevidentlywasnothingtodobuttosell，andthathewouldagreewiththeothersinthenecessity；butasthechurchhadbeenhischurchhomefromboyhood，sohequaveredandquiveredon，hebeggedthattheywouldexcusehimfromactuallytakingpartindisposingofit；andinadeepsilencehewenthaltinglyfromtheroom。
“Themenandthewomenlookedatoneanother，stillsilent，sadlyimpressed，butnotknowingwhattodo。AndIsaidtothem:`Whynotstartoveragain，andgoonwiththechurch，afterall!\'\'\'
TypicalConwellism，that!First，theimpulsetohelpthosewhoneedhelping，thentheinspirationandleadership。
“`Butthebuildingisentirelytootumble-
downtouse，\'saidoneofthemen，sadly；andI
knewhewasright，forIhadexaminedit；butI
said:
“`Letusmeetthereto-morrowmorningandgettoworkonthatbuildingourselvesandputitinshapeforaservicenextSunday。\'
“Itmadethemseemsopleasedandencouraged，andsoconfidentthatanewpossibilitywasopeningthatIneverdoubtedthateachoneofthosepresent，andmanyfriendsbesides，wouldbeatthebuildinginthemorning。IwasthereearlywithahammerandaxandcrowbarthatI
hadsecured，readytogotowork——butnooneelseshowedup!\'\'
Hehasaruefulappreciationofthehumorofit，ashepicturedthescene；andoneknowsalsothat，inthatlittletownofLexington，whereAmericanshadsobravelyfacedtheimpossible，RussellConwellalsobracedhimselftofacetheimpossible。Apettiermanwouldinstantlyhavegivenuptheentirematterwhenthosewhoweremostinterestedfailedtorespond，butoneofthestrongestfeaturesinConwell\'scharacterishisabilitytodrawevendoubtersandweaklingsintoline，hisabilitytostireventhosewhohavegivenup。
“Ilookedoverthatbuilding，\'\'hegoeson，whimsically，“andIsawthatrepairreallyseemedoutofthequestion。Nothingbutanewchurchwoulddo!SoItooktheaxthatIhadbroughtwithmeandbeganchoppingtheplacedown。
Inalittlewhileaman，notoneofthechurchmembers，camealong，andhewatchedmeforatimeandsaid，`Whatareyougoingtodothere?\'
“AndIinstantlyreplied，`Teardownthisoldbuildingandbuildanewchurchhere!\'
“Helookedatme。`Butthepeoplewon\'tdothat，\'hesaid。
“`Yes，theywill，\'Isaid，cheerfully，keepingatmywork。Whereuponhewatchedmeafewminuteslongerandsaid:
“`Well，youcanputmedownforonehundreddollarsforthenewbuilding。Comeuptomylivery-stableandgetitthisevening。\'
“`Allright；I\'llsurelybethere，\'Ireplied。
“Inalittlewhileanothermancamealongandstoppedandlooked，andherathergibedattheideaofanewchurch，andwhenItoldhimofthelivery-stablemancontributingonehundreddollars，hesaid，`Butyouhaven\'tgotthemoneyyet!\'