New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-17
Tried Many Outlets for His Rest
less Activity, but Found
the Pulpit Best.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct I6-only superlatives seem suf-
ncient 70 describe Russell Herman Conwen and his
work. Twenty-eight years ago he came 20 Phia-
delphis and mortgagec ana unfinished working
mems church. The renamed Baptist Temple now
has the largest auditorium in the United States and
& Is out Of debt To-day DR.. Conwen breaches q
membership Of BOB adults, the largest Protestant
congregation in the country. he founded school
that has yearly enrolment Of moro than $500 stu
dents In his two hospitals 900 patients are treated
annually.
Besides ne has written seventeen books; not com
pilations OF sermons. but biographies. stories and
travels. He carries twenty-eight lectures IN his
head without even much as page OF notes &c
stimulate his extraordinary memory Acres OF
Diamonds" meaning that wealth and opportunity
are right at hand instead OF IN far and mystert.
Gus country. has been delivered $40 times at home
and abroad. Five languages he has learned during
rides in streetcars and on railroads.
Aud Yet when he came into his study, where
was waiting. tall man. OF sixty-six. without q
white hair in his black head. he was leisurely and
his sWarthy face. I thought seemed rather heavy
and sad. ] had expected human locomotive. In
stead. in SO far as atmosphere and appearances
went. I might have looked into the gray eyes OF a
country doctor the president OF a big rural bank
I have never believed that am an orator." DR..
ConWel said at one place in the interview. Il am
simply a plain Of business" l.-
But he fills his church twice every Sunday and
the revenues Of single lecture IN Phade phia have
reached SoytL ODDLY enough, out OF the pulpit and
away from the platform neither his voice nor his
face Is particularly expressive Once he was a
lawyer, making $4,000 year. At Kenesaw Noun
tain an officer in the artillery was left upon the
torn and tTamDled field among the dead and diving
lie has worked for 8 a week as reporter In the
panic OF 1870 he lost $4,000
IS me 1hafch, asked him, gaining or los
ing should like the critical opinion OF an er
pert"
j don't know" Dr. Conweu renlia5 cum, ,
look al my own congregation 1 think tho ,-t,I =,
SsininB' when : go out into the co,,,tr - - ,,9
WIN some OF the preachers think II e 49,,
me Church rs passing through one a. a. IS
dangerous periods 81 ifs existence VIA, a. ms
come VIII be no one can tell. You see ,bo 60,
mas orifted away from the practices OF cbr,s, d
ilgious people think Christ spent most O, a. g.
IN preaching They forget that He went ~,
through Galilee healing the sick and teacbine ,Io
ignorant The Church did both once. bu, rici' -
established schools and hospitals and now 1o,t,,
remains but preaching and the social side - -
ligiOn. - 'e-
Understand, don't deprecate socia bili,,. -
deed, ! urge II and work for IT, After The ,so,,i.
al the temple on Sunday morning two tbonsanS
persons VIII stay for an hour and visit ON, r,-a,
meetings are or the ancient kind but from s.,,e,
hundred and nifty 10 fifteen hundred members ~
the church are IN attendance each evening tuo
thirds OF whom remain 10 chat and get better scl
ouaintod. The temple, collecting $4,000 year. is
t1e real GasSs1 home Of the people, and is made