New-York tribune., 1901-05-01
ROCKEFELLER ON GIVING
HE TELLS HIS SONS BIBLE CLASS THAT
THEY SHOULD TEACH OTHERS
TO GIVE ALSO.

When I was fourteen or fifteen years DID,"
said John D. Rockefeller last night. Il did all
could to help little parish pay off debt of
about $1,000 a church to which 1 belonged.
1t was one Of the keenest pleasures OF my life.
1t was there that acquired the taste for giving
and for influencing others to give. 1t i'
this way as boy that 1 learned to get along
with people. to make allowances for their little
eccentricities, and to treat each man according
to my Judgment OF that man. 1 learned to
adapt myself to people, and to understand their
peculiarties."
Mr.. Rockefeller speaking at the Young
Mems Bible Glass of the Fifth Avenue Baptist
Church. of which his son is leader. Continuing.
Re said:
The previous speaker Q4ieutenant-Governor
Woodruff has referred 70 the splendid Oppor
tunities open 10 young men at the dawning of
the century. He has spoken of the facilities
with which business can be done, and the con-
sequent increase in the amount of money man
can make in this flood tide Of national pros
perity. This is indeed time for the industrious
young man to take advantage and 10 make his
way in But the acquisition of money is not
the greatest thing in the world. Success is not
measured in terms of money. Money is only an
incident in this life You young men, who
laying the foundation of your character here.
may never come into the possession of great
riches. l some here who are fortunate in
this respect. and 1 am glad they are making
good OF II.
Not all men have such great responsibilities
ana possessions. Mr.. Carnegie, but you may
have that which is greater than gold. rail-
roads, fleets OF steamships. and that is the
satisfaction Of having a splendid character.
say that man who is without great property
may be richer in the possession of Christian
spirit.
Some of you have had TO do with giving your
money for the benefit Of others. What is even
more satisfactory, is the pleasure derived from
getting other men to give. also. The man VINO
has the confidence of the community in which
he lives and is willing to devote himself to in
H,,ap civ OIL < a
entitled 70 the highest respect He is doing
real service TO his church and community l
have heard people say; Il am no oeSgar. l
cannot ask people TO give money" L admit 1t
Is not always a pleasant task. but don't De
afraid to try the venture. My work for the last
thirty forty years has been TO give the nttle
I could and u persuade others 10 do the same
During the lives of all of us here, our institu-
tions will need all the support we can give them.
The men who give are only too few in number.
Now l am keenly pleased when I finally sue
ceed in convincing a backward of means
into my way of thinking, and TO make him part
with a portion of his Inheritance sincerely
hope that my son has caught my way OF think
ing II more men gave could doTaWay with
church fairs which we all know net the sood
and industrious women managers little We
could then dispense with the old-faShloned ana
non-lucrative donation parties which L have
heard of, where all your relatives for miles
around come within your gates and leave you
provisionless save for a few dried apples
| wish to thank you for the help you have been
to my son. When he told me he wished TO or
Eanize this class 1 tried 10 persuade him not 10
do because OF his busy days. He tOld me az
terward that he was getting more out or the
class than he put into It. and now l heartily be-
leve he right. What you learn here you
must not retain for yourself alone. Give what
You receive to others. l know Of a Bible class
forty years ago which very receptive, but
when wanted to pick a teacher from among
them. always got the same answer, Not
quite prepared to teach" We used to call the
class the Saints Rest" I think some Of them
must be still preparing
We are all here in the world 10 receive.
whether it be information or property, some of
which we must appropriate to other people If
the suction pump of we'll did not work, the
water would remain stagnant, and of no use TO
the owner. man with a few ideas who i'm
parts what he knows is doing a greater service
than the man who remains silent
Turning to his son. who had been anxiously
regarding the hands of the clock. Mr.. Rookie
feer said What is the next point was going
TO speak about?" Receiving a reply. he said
aloud:
My son tells my time is up, but I must
continue now. because he may never invite me
TO talk TO you again.
I think when a gives he should first know
all about the object for which he is giving. then
he should indorse his gift. When you sign sim
ply From a Friend" evary one becomes curious
at once, and you are Immediately found out II
is better to sign your 1wn name frankly. II
you have nothing to sign, give a hearty greet
ing. God bless your' a suggestion or some
thing little 1t is the little things which count
for than money. If my will let me, I
shall make just one more point You will par
uon me Tor DelfS personal Iuluh lndI lHe
most valuable donation is a gift 10 honest labor.
During the forty years l have been in a particu
lar branch Of business our company has paid
out each working day from S60Ooo TO $4,000.
or S2OOD0,O0O each year, TO honest laboring men.
This in forty years makes total of from 5000
900 900 to 500 100000. That l regard as the
greatest pleasure which may be given to a
man.
Other speakers were Lieutenant-Governor
Timothy L. Woodruff. John D. Rockefeller. jr.,
and the Rev. Willard S. Richardson, acting pas
tor nF+ rnl,,,r