The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-05
". T. Stead in the Chicago Tribune.


 1 Wo of the most notable men liv- NCV Ing in the world at the present
 day are both about the same age. They differ in almost every other particular excepting the fact that they came Into the world about the same time, which was about sixty-nve years ago. One of them is Pierpont Morgan who, like a Colossus, stands astride the world, with one foot in New York and the other in London. The other is Dr. Clifford of Westbourne Park chapel in London. I am not sure whether Dr. Cliff ford is not the greater man of the two He is not wealthy-far from 1t; he is a plain Baptist preacher. who sprang from the ranks of the people, and began life as boy in lace factory in the Mid- lands when he was Il years of age. But today he is, in English politics, one of the most potent, if not the most potent, personality with which the government has to deal.
 Every one agrees that the government is tottering to it's fall. This gigantic Goliath, puffed up with pride, as well as with an insolent confidence in it's strength has found its David in Dr. Clifford; for Dr. Clifford, more than any other living man, represents and embodies in his own person the principle of militant, uncom- promising nonconformity, the snag on which MT. Balfour has driven his admin istratlon at full speed. If at this moment the unionist majority is quaking to Its shoes with the dread vision of judgment to come, the result must be attributed more to Dr. Clifford than to anybody else.
 If Dr. Clifford had been laid on the shelf if his weariless pen had been at rest, and If his eloquent voice had been silenced, the whole political outlook in Great Britain might have been entirely changed Dr. Clifford is blocking with his imperious veto the progress of the bill upon which ministers have staked their fortunes.
 Twenty or thirty years ago there were many nonconformist leaders. Today there is practically only one In the great apostasy that followed the declaration of war against the Boers public conf1- dence in many of the leaders was ire parably shattered.
 Among the few who remained true to the faith which was delivered to their fathers and strove strenuously to re- mind the people that to go to war when the road of arbitration remained open as a way of escape was a crime, Dr. Clifford stands conspicuous as a witness for truth, peace and justice throughout all these long, dark years. When the stop the war committee was formed he accepted It's chairmanship signed all It's manifestoes, and gave his strong support by voice and pen to it's reiterated de- mand to the country to "stop the war and stop it now
 The action which he is taking at the present moment follows the same im- pulse that actuated him during the Boer war, and is inspired by the same enthu- siasm for righteousness, liberty and jus tice that has made the Puritans so great a force for good.
 Dr. Clifford Is as vehement a Protest ant as ever entered Exeter hall but di- vergence of ciew upon this question never caused even a ruffle in our relations. He Is content that I should dream dreams concerning what he regards as an inn possible utilization of the papacy in the service of humanity and progress. He even hopes that they will come true.
 Another attribute of the man, grate- fully remembered because delightfully."- felt by all those who come in contact with him. is his radiant optimism. He is always battling with evil, but it is in the spirit of one who knows that evil Is transitory and must pass. Dr. Clifford is a cheery apostle of progress.
 pr. Clifford's zeal for education dates from his early youth. His father was village factory hand at Beeston, Notts, and John Clifford was the eldest of family of six. Probably the worst and most ill-equipped of the clerically admin istered voluntary schools which excite his ire today is a paradise of efficiency and comfort compared with the village school in which a wooden-legged, squint-eyed schoolmaster taught him to read. Before he was Il years of age he left school and went to work in a lace factory. His hours were long, his fare was scant.
 His conversion came suddenly. A hymn, expressive of the confidence that God was always found by those who sought him, lifted the burden from his child soul and gave him a consciousness of peace and joy that has never left him. His health being impaired by long hours he betook himself to nursery gardening, and this gave him more hours for study. He began to preach with four other lads. They preached to each other at week night services held in solemn secrecy be- hind the locked doors of the village chapel. When he was 16 years of age he returned to the factory. Two years later he became a local preacher, and at the same time was promoted to the counting house, which gave him leisure for study in the evenings. "Emerson's Essays fell into his hands and became one of the books which changed his life.
 The lad showed such promise as a speaker and such earnestness that 1t was decided to send him to the Baptist col lege at Leicester.
 There he remained for a little more than two years, reading hard, carrying off prizes in Greek and Latin, and also dis tinguishing himself lin athletics as the winner of the long jump. His popularity as preacher led to the unanimous call to Praed Street chapel, in Paddington, when he was only 22 years of age. He accepted 1t on condition that he should be allowed to pursue his studies. The