Evening star., 1909-07-11

times a millionaire. His prom
inence in the world of high
finance was second TO that OF only two or
three other men in the country. A captain
of industry. he was gifted with great pow
ers of initiative and foresight. No wonder
that on the day of his funeral a lull in the
activities of the great concern in whicn
he was such a force was ordered and n
scores OF branch offices and in the pro-
ducing plants Of his vast business all
the employees for an hour OF two ceased
work as sign of respect and honor.
The other man was a minister. He
never amassed much wealth, but us
preacher, author, patriot. philarithropist,
peacemaker. he gained distinction such
as few ministers have ever attained.
Many people knew him chiefly the
Lend a Hand man who started the
Ten Times One Is Ten" clubs, who in
spired hundreds of others to do something
for their fellowmen, who himself went
about like his Master doing good. 1t
made no difference with this great heart
whether the man in need was black o.
white. ignorant or learned. rich or poor.
He welcomed every chance to lend the
helping hand and when once a burglar
was convicted of robbing his house and
was sentenced to prison for several years
he let the law take its proper course, but
almost every week wrote friendly let
ter to the one who robbed him OF his
goods, and when his term of Imprisonment
expired found him good job and assisted
him back TO tho ranks OF honest and use
full citizens. This was but one Of a null
titude Of instances of friendliness. Only
q Cad frae nd In, xrba
unusual ways this good minister poured
himself out for others.
Typical Americans / have called both
of these men. But how different type. eacn
represented! The multimillionaire repre-
sented to dot the successful modern bus-
ness man. who begins with little and who
by prudence and energy climbs the ladder
round after round. Have we not REID
about HIM times without number in the
columns Of the papers that exploit fnan-
cial success? To be sure he may ride
ru;hlessly over his competitors. He may
play the game of business as If It were
the game of war. But business is busl-
ness and that is the way success IS
won today. Moreover. this particular
typical American gave literally, Of his
earnings not only to his native town. but
to charitable causes far and wide. And
he is said to have been a friendly man
and unstained by private vices.
1t is not In my heart just now to decry
wealth or rail at Swollen fortunes" For
some time to come money will be the goal
of multitudes of young men and 1t will
be heaped up in great and greater piles.
But somehow / cannot resist the feeling
that this type of American exemplified in
the man who has just died is slowly pass
ing. His methods will have to yield to
those of less barbaric age. Fewer
school children will be taught to look TO
HIM as a model. If he exists at all I'm .he
twenty-first century his power is likely 10
be greatly curbed and his standing in So
ciety considerably altered.
But the other typical American" will
be tenderly remembered for what he was
and for what he did. He gave to others
not a portion of his goods. but he gave
himself. From the center to the circum-
ference of his nature he was true, kind,
unselfish, loving. And as long as men are
capable of recognizing and honoring vir-
tue and service Of others. that kind of a
life will be beacon light to many.
The Parson.