The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-09-28
HILLS
nv Or. FRANK CRANE
Copyright, 1915. by Frank Crane)

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The Rev. Newell Dwight Hills, having
been unfortunate in certain business VEN
lures, INDUCED in sort of collapse in
his pulpit at Plymouth Church, Brook
lyn, the other day, and talked some nom
sense about ruination and resignation and
the like. We all have our moments of
hysteria. and we can easily understand
how sensitive, high-keyed nature like
his can give way under stress of worri-
ment.
But DR.. Hills entirely misconceives
himself and his place in American public
opinion. He is to-day easily the master
of public speaking in the country In any
city where he is announced he is sure Of
an audience of the most intelligent peo-
pie.
Thousands look to him as a spiritual
captain.
And it is safe to say they don't care a
whoop in Halifax whether he made or
lost money.
The whole money affair is not of the
slightest Importance. Let DR.. Hills for
get it.
His place in our esteem is too high to
be touched by any miserable financial afA
fair.
His type of service money cannot buy.
You cannot estimate what salary would
fit Shakespeare, nor how much week
Demosthenes or Savonarola ought to
get. And the kind of service rendered
us all by man like DR.. Hills is beyond
price,.
He keeps alive our ideas. He clears for
us the foundation of our hopes. He
makes us believe in the universal good
ness and those laws of eternal life and
justice too often obscureda in the fog of
expediency. He is our prophet And
what the devil do We care about his
money matters!
If we understand the temper of Ply
mouth Church we are sure they will
rally around this sorely tried leader and
give to him that warmth Of sympathy
and assurance Of support he needs that
his voice, undimmed and unafraid, may
continue to sound forth it's sweet clarion
tones Of high emprise from that historic
pulpit.
But DIR. Hills is no local figure. He
belongs to the nation There is hardly
city of importance in the land where
he is not eagerly welcomed. and who
shall say how many a young man has
been inspired to worthy living by his
magnificent appeal?
No, DR.. Hills. Your days of useful
ness are not over: they have but begun.
Out of this trial you shall emerge more
human. more real, more helpful than
ever before May you live many year
to stir the youth of this age to better
strivings, to wean us from our flesh
pets to nobler sterner things.
The country needs you. 1t could spare
any ten successful Wall Street kings bet
ter than you, any ten vociferous politi-
clans
Let the little, mealy-mouthed makers
of pious platitudes read you their tire
some lessons about the dangers Of the
lust of wealth. and expatiate upon how
parson should devote himself entirely
to his flock. Was ever a crisis when
these homletic flies did not buzz?
Shake them off, and shake eff your
temporary despair. speak the heart OF
tens Of thousands, from Maine to Cali
fornia. when | say that the structure OF
respect and admiration you have built
up through the years by your splendid
talents cannot be torn down in day.
All these trials have their good. They
may have purged the dross. The days
Of your triumphal spiritual leadership
bayo met beOun