The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-07-14
A REMARKABLE CHARACTER
The Quiet and Unobtrusive Life OF a
Princely Oliver.
New York Sun.

Mr.. John D. Rockefeller has paid
his first visit to the University of Chi
cago, which was built up and endowed
by his magnificent gifts. The millions
he has bestowed upon that institution
make him one Of the very greatest of
private contributors to the foundation
of a school of learning in the whole
history OF the world. He has given
the money, moreover, in his lifetime,
and thus differs from nearly all other
Of the most notable founders and en-
dowers of colleges. BY 50 giving, too,
he has distinguished himself from the
great mass of all those who have made
large benefactions for public uses. He
has taken the millions from his rapidly
accommodating fortune, and he has made
the gifts quietly, modestly, and with
out the least seeking for popular ap-
plause or to win the conspicuous mani
festatiOns of honor their muniiiccnce
could easily have obtained for him.
The reason for this remarkable pe-
culiarity of Mr.. Rockefeller as u public
benefactor Is that being deeply reli-
gious man he has made the, gifts as an
obligation of religious duty, as it seems
to him. He Is strict and earnest
Baptist, and feels that he holds his
fortune as trustee merely acting
ohoSl phO wye vi SOu. HIS Is very
remarkable in itself, and also because
Mr.. Rockefeller has gained his fortune
one of the very greatest in the world
as the head of the Standard Oil Com
pany, against which demagogues have
directed their constant fl as a diabol-
ical combination for the public injury.
He Is not q Baptist in name merely,
but in the strongest conviction and
apparently he believes that he can
best serve the interest of humanity
and glorify God by assisting In the
propagation of the faith that Is in him.
His advancement from an humble,
pecuniary place to vast and command
ing wealth has changed In no respect
his religious attitude. He Is an as
siduous attandent on a Baptist church,
and his voice is raised in humble sup
plication at Its prayer meetings. Only
the other day he addressed Baptist
Sunday-schOOl and spoke Of his ex-
perienG as its superintendent as one
of the proudest and most satisfactory
In his whole life. He has brought up
his own family in the strict tenets OF
the Baptists, and taught them to keep
aloOf from the allurements OF worldly
gaiety add fashion. He does not in.
dulge In amusements which severe
Puritan frowned upon in other days
tough now they are practicedw without
reproach by the great run of religious
people. He would keep his children
apart from the influence of such as
sociations; accordingly he has ha6
none Of the social ambitions so frequent
among men of great fortunes. He look,
upon them as sinful. His household
join with him In daily family praye,
that they may be saved from the temp
tations Of the world, the flesh, and til;
devil.
1t Is very striking circumstance
that at this time OF decaying faith
man who ranks with the three or fou
/, richest men Of modern times shoult
pursue a course OF life and of conduc
which is 80 unusual In its austerity
Many Baptists have risen to uealtl
! from very humble circumstances dur
: ing the last generation, but most O
them, or at least the most of ther
, families, have drifted away from thei
, early associations under the infiuenc
! of fashionable ambitions. Mr.. Rookie
feller remains staunch and immoyablt
. Magnificent as his many gifts 10
charitable, religious and educationa
/ purposes have been, the sum OF ther
! has gone almost wholly for the further
9 Ing OF Baptist interests. He has buil
!. up in the Chicago University an IL
n stitution which,will glorify the Baptis
|. nam Q, and In that way, according 1
!. Mr.. Rockfeller's unquestioning belle
!. will glorlfJ God.
1 b