Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-02-04
DR.. coNwELL's LECTURE
Delivers Address, "The Silver Crown
AS First of Double Number.

AS First of Double Number.
DR.. Russell H. ConwelI, widely known
as preacher, author and orator. pres
ident of Temple College, Philadelphia.
pastor of the Baptist Temple, Philadel-
phia. president of the Samaritan hos
pital, Philadelphia, and also of the
Philadelphia Orphans Home, appeared
before fair sized audience of Y. M.
c. A. course patrons at the Odeon Fri
day evening, delivering his lecture
The Silver Crown" as the first of the
two which Marshailtown people are
given the opportunity of hearing.
While the speaker was obliged to de-
liver his address under somewhat I'M
favorable circumstances, the theater
being chilly to an uncomfortable de-
gree, he was listened to with close
attention on the part of the audience.
Dr. Conwell, after being introduced by
Rev. Elijah Brown Jones, stated that
it was not his purpose to entertain, but
to give what real help he could to those
who wished 1t, by solid thinking and
earnest speaking. He explained the
title Of his lecture by relating an in
teresting legend from India, picked up
by him when he visited that country
in 1870. 1t was the story of the astrol-
oger's search for ruler to occupy the
throne and wear the silver crown, sill
Yer then being more precious
than gold, who must pass four
tests, namely, the animals must
love and follow him, he must
pass four tests, namely, the animals
must love and follow him, he must
have power over the sun and over
the waters and the people must love
him. The legend relates how this per-
son. an ignorant huntsman was reveal
ed to the people seeking a ruler, and
from it DIR. Conwell drew the infallible
secret of human success, the art of
noticing things which unthinking and
unobserving people pass by. The
speakers search, he said, was for real,
not nominal rulers, and in illustration
after illustration, given in a convinc-
ing manner, he pointed out who arc
kings of men, kings who do not fail
in these tests.
While seemingly antagonistic to his
own profession. DIR. Conwell
declares that the greatest need is for
an education unobtainable in our
schools, colleges and universities of
today, the education OF observing and
absorbing ever useful lessons from the
common things of life, which are pass
ed over as beneath our dignity. He
went on to prove that we are not rev.
erent enough to the lower orders of an
inal life. He also said the need for
artists, who shall paint uplifting pic
lures, which are a constant source of
inspiration, is indeed great, but the
need for music, real, soul-stirring mu-
sic and musicians, not the product of
an art whose training often kills music's
true beauty, is greater.
DIR. Conwell's definition of oratory
and elocution was unusual and while
it's truth and aptness was appreciated
it also amused. He said IL one calls
a dog and the dog comes, that is ora
tory; If the dog runs away, that is elo-
cution, and went on to give some rid
Jealous illustrations in elocution. Con-
tinuing, he said there is an appall-
ing need Of great orators, and much as
he was interested in and admired the
press which to so great an extent is
taking their place. he having been en-
gagged in newspaper work himself for
fifteen years, that never can the enthu-
siasm and power of the living orator be
put into cold lead, even tho cold lead
is put into the orator sometimes.
Let Father Coupon but speak and Rus
STA will tremble" in his own words. ex-
presses the depth of his conviction on
this subject.
DR.. Conwell has been OIL the lectul 9
platform forty three years. delivering
an average of 200 lectures a year, and
commands the highest price of any
American lecturer.