Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-14
LABoRs ARE OYER.
Continued From First Page.

once a year IN most or the large ana
many of the small cities of the coun-
try,
He once tried debating his sermons
TO Photographs; but. as walking about
the room was practically n necessity
and as he could not very well carry
the machine with him, he abandoned
the scheme. He often said that I'm all
his life he had never written a line or
spoken a word with the aid of a slim
ulant. At one time he was Il habitual
smoker. but ceased one day with sud
den resolution that was typical OF his
whole life.
Or. Talmage was horn I'm Bound
Brook. Somerset county. y. j.. Jan. ..
1892. His home was n small farm. and
he was the Youngest son of Il family
of twelve children. His parents were
deeply religious people. and their great
est desire was TO see some of their sons
enter the ministry. Their hopes were
fulfilled. for the eldest brother mt the
close of his college life went to China
ms missionary. while another became
a minister. DR. Talmage himself en-
tered law. but his parents never ceased
TO hope that he would eventually fol-
low In the footsteps OF his brothers. In
1853 he gave up legal practice and
went to the college at New Brunswick
His first charge was at Belleville, y.
J.. where he spent three years. He
then accepted call to IL church at Syr-
acuse. y. Y. and remained there until
1862. when lie accepted passionate In
Philadelphia This gave him his first
chance of reaching the people of
great city. His success was instanta-
neous, and he finally received three ST.
multaneouS calls from Brooklyn. Chi
81.
church which had called him to Brook
lyn hOasted only seventeen members.
he chose that city. and the result of
his choice is well known. Within
year it was necessary TO erect a struc-
ture capable of holding 1900 people.
Two years later this church was burn
ed to the ground.
An editice that would seat 5000 was
then built. but was inadequate to ac-
commodate the thousands that flOcked
to hear the famous preacher. For fif-
teen years the church had wonderful
prosperity. which was rudely broken
by second fire that laid it in ashes.
UndiSmayed. third tabernacle was
built. 1t was completed in 1891. and
its dedication was great public oc-
caSion.
This tabernacle was a grand and
beautiful place of worship. with. n
vast seating capacity and perfect
acoustic properties, but is was not
destined To stand long. On Sunday.
May IL. 1894 shortly after the close
of the morning services. fire broke out
and before it was under control had
left the magnificent building pile
OF smoking runiS.
DIR. Talmage for time ceased active
pastoral work and went abroad for Il
tour of the world. He preached to
large audiences in Australia. New Yea
land. India and Great Britain and on
hiS return wrote the story of his trav-
els i'm n book called The Earth Cir
died" which enjoyed wide circula-
ton He now devoted himself almost
exclusively TO his editorial work on
The Christian Herald. his sermons be
ing syndicated for weekly publication.
In 1895 DR. Talmage accepted for Il
time Il pastoral call from the First
Presbyterian church in Washington.
and was soon the most popular minis
ter at the national capital. In 1890 he
retiered from active connection with the
Washington church and devoted his
time to editorial work. preaching and
lecturing. The passing years served
to increase his fame. and an announce
ment that he was going to preach al
ways attracted n large audience.
DIR. Talmage was voluminous writ
er on religious subjects. He was the
author of a number of lectures. and
his sermons have been published in
thirty volumes. Among the better
known of his works were From
Manger to Throne" Sparks From My
Anvil" Crumbs Swept Up" ''Spcrts
That Kill" Might Sides Of City Life
The Poetry of Life" and "Old Wells
Dug Out" 1t is estimated that for
many years his royalties Melted him
the princely income of $4,000 Il year