THOUGHRussellH。Conwell\'sAcresofDiamondshavebeenspreadallovertheUnitedStates，timeandcarehavemadethemmorevaluable，andnowthattheyhavebeenresetinblackandwhitebytheirdiscoverer，theyaretobelaidinthehandsofamultitudefortheirenrichment。
InthesamecasewiththesegemsthereisafascinatingstoryoftheMasterJeweler\'slife-workwhichsplendidlyillustratestheultimateunitofpowerbyshowingwhatonemancandoinonedayandwhatonelifeisworthtotheworld。
AshisneighborandintimatefriendinPhiladelphiaforthirtyyears，IamfreetosaythatRussellH。Conwell\'stall，manlyfigurestandsoutinthestateofPennsylvaniaasitsfirstcitizenand“TheBigBrother\'\'ofitssevenmillionsofpeople。
FromthebeginningofhiscareerhehasbeenacrediblewitnessintheCourtofPublicWorkstothetruthofthestronglanguageoftheNewTestamentParablewhereitsays，“Ifyehavefaithasagrainofmustard-seed，yeshallsayuntothismountain，`Removehencetoyonderplace，\'
Asastudent，schoolmaster，lawyer，preacher，organizer，thinkerandwriter，lecturer，educator，diplomat，andleaderofmen，hehasmadehismarkonhiscityandstateandthetimesinwhichhehaslived。Amandies，buthisgoodworklives。
Hisideas，ideals，andenthusiasmshaveinspiredtensofthousandsoflives。Abookfulloftheenergeticsofamasterworkmanisjustwhateveryyoungmancaresfor。
1915。
_Friends_——Thislecturehasbeendeliveredunderthesecircumstances:Ivisitatownorcity，andtrytoarrivethereearlyenoughtoseethepostmaster，thebarber，thekeeperofthehotel，theprincipaloftheschools，andtheministersofsomeofthechurches，andthengointosomeofthefactoriesandstores，andtalkwiththepeople，andgetintosympathywiththelocalconditionsofthattownorcityandseewhathasbeentheirhistory，whatopportunitiestheyhad，andwhattheyhadfailedtodo——
andeverytownfailstodosomething——andthengotothelectureandtalktothosepeopleaboutthesubjectswhichappliedtotheirlocality。“AcresofDiamonds\'\'——theidea——hascontinuouslybeenpreciselythesame。Theideaisthatinthiscountryofourseverymanhastheopportunitytomakemoreofhimselfthanhedoesinhisownenvironment，withhisownskill，withhisownenergy，andwithhisownfriends。
Thisisthemostrecentandcompleteformofthelecture。
IthappenedtobedeliveredinPhiladelphia，Dr。Conwell\'shomecity。Whenhesays“righthereinPhiladelphia，\'\'hemeansthehomecity，town，orvillageofeveryreaderofthisbook，justashewouldusethenameofitifdeliveringthelecturethere，insteadofdoingitthroughthepageswhichfollow。
WHENgoingdowntheTigrisandEuphratesriversmanyyearsagowithapartyofEnglishtravelersIfoundmyselfunderthedirectionofanoldArabguidewhomwehiredupatBagdad，andIhaveoftenthoughthowthatguideresembledourbarbersincertainmentalcharacteristics。Hethoughtthatitwasnotonlyhisdutytoguideusdownthoserivers，anddowhathewaspaidfordoing，butalsotoentertainuswithstoriescuriousandweird，ancientandmodern，strangeandfamiliar。ManyofthemIhaveforgotten，andIamgladIhave，butthereisoneI
shallneverforget。
Theoldguidewasleadingmycamelbyitshalteralongthebanksofthoseancientrivers，andhetoldmestoryafterstoryuntilIgrewwearyofhisstory-tellingandceasedtolisten。IhaveneverbeenirritatedwiththatguidewhenhelosthistemperasIceasedlistening。ButI
rememberthathetookoffhisTurkishcapandswungitinacircletogetmyattention。Icouldseeitthroughthecornerofmyeye，butIdeterminednottolookstraightathimforfearhewouldtellanotherstory。ButalthoughIamnotawoman，Ididfinallylook，andassoonasIdidhewentrightintoanotherstory。
Saidhe，“IwilltellyouastorynowwhichI
reserveformyparticularfriends。\'\'Whenheemphasizedthewords“particularfriends，\'\'I
listened，andIhaveeverbeengladIdid。Ireallyfeeldevoutlythankful，thatthereare1，674youngmenwhohavebeencarriedthroughcollegebythislecturewhoarealsogladthatIdidlisten。
TheoldguidetoldmethatthereoncelivednotfarfromtheRiverIndusanancientPersianbythenameofAliHafed。HesaidthatAliHafedownedaverylargefarm，thathehadorchards，grain-fields，andgardens；thathehadmoneyatinterest，andwasawealthyandcontentedman。
Hewascontentedbecausehewaswealthy，andwealthybecausehewascontented。OnedaytherevisitedthatoldPersianfarmeroneoftheseancientBuddhistpriests，oneofthewisemenoftheEast。Hesatdownbythefireandtoldtheoldfarmerhowthisworldofourswasmade。
Hesaidthatthisworldwasonceamerebankoffog，andthattheAlmightythrustHisfingerintothisbankoffog，andbeganslowlytomoveHisfingeraround，increasingthespeeduntilatlastHewhirledthisbankoffogintoasolidballoffire。Thenitwentrollingthroughtheuniverse，burningitswaythroughotherbanksoffog，andcondensedthemoisturewithout，untilitfellinfloodsofrainuponitshotsurface，andcooledtheoutwardcrust。Thentheinternalfiresburstingoutwardthroughthecrustthrewupthemountainsandhills，thevalleys，theplainsandprairiesofthiswonderfulworldofours。Ifthisinternalmoltenmasscameburstingoutandcooledveryquicklyitbecamegranite；lessquicklycopper，lessquicklysilver，lessquicklygold，and，aftergold，diamondsweremade。
Saidtheoldpriest，“Adiamondisacongealeddropofsunlight。\'\'Nowthatisliterallyscientificallytrue，thatadiamondisanactualdepositofcarbonfromthesun。TheoldpriesttoldAliHafedthatifhehadonediamondthesizeofhisthumbhecouldpurchasethecounty，andifhehadamineofdiamondshecouldplacehischildrenuponthronesthroughtheinfluenceoftheirgreatwealth。
AliHafedheardallaboutdiamonds，howmuchtheywereworth，andwenttohisbedthatnightapoorman。Hehadnotlostanything，buthewaspoorbecausehewasdiscontented，anddiscontentedbecausehefearedhewaspoor。Hesaid，“Iwantamineofdiamonds，\'\'andhelayawakeallnight。
Earlyinthemorninghesoughtoutthepriest。
Iknowbyexperiencethatapriestisverycrosswhenawakenedearlyinthemorning，andwhenheshookthatoldpriestoutofhisdreams，AliHafedsaidtohim:
“WillyoutellmewhereIcanfinddiamonds?\'\'
“Diamonds!Whatdoyouwantwithdiamonds?\'\'
“Why，Iwishtobeimmenselyrich。\'\'
“Well，then，goalongandfindthem。Thatisallyouhavetodo；goandfindthem，andthenyouhavethem。\'\'“ButIdon\'tknowwheretogo。\'\'“Well，ifyouwillfindariverthatrunsthroughwhitesands，betweenhighmountains，inthosewhitesandsyouwillalwaysfinddiamonds。\'\'“Idon\'tbelievethereisanysuchriver。\'\'“Ohyes，thereareplentyofthem。Allyouhavetodoistogoandfindthem，andthenyouhavethem。\'\'SaidAliHafed，“Iwillgo。\'\'
Sohesoldhisfarm，collectedhismoney，lefthisfamilyinchargeofaneighbor，andawayhewentinsearchofdiamonds。Hebeganhissearch，veryproperlytomymind，attheMountainsoftheMoon。AfterwardhecamearoundintoPalestine，thenwanderedonintoEurope，andatlastwhenhismoneywasallspentandhewasinrags，wretchedness，andpoverty，hestoodontheshoreofthatbayatBarcelona，inSpain，whenagreattidalwavecamerollinginbetweenthepillarsofHercules，andthepoor，afflicted，suffering，dyingmancouldnotresisttheawfultemptationtocasthimselfintothatincomingtide，andhesankbeneathitsfoamingcrest，nevertoriseinthislifeagain。
WhenthatoldguidehadtoldmethatawfullysadstoryhestoppedthecamelIwasridingonandwentbacktofixthebaggagethatwascomingoffanothercamel，andIhadanopportunitytomuseoverhisstorywhilehewasgone。Iremembersayingtomyself，“Whydidhereservethatstoryforhis`particularfriends\'?\'\'Thereseemedtobenobeginning，nomiddle，noend，nothingtoit。ThatwasthefirststoryIhadeverheardtoldinmylife，andwouldbethefirstoneIeverread，inwhichtheherowaskilledinthefirstchapter。Ihadbutonechapterofthatstory，andtheherowasdead。
Whentheguidecamebackandtookupthehalterofmycamel，hewentrightaheadwiththestory，intothesecondchapter，justasthoughtherehadbeennobreak。ThemanwhopurchasedAliHafed\'sfarmonedayledhiscamelintothegardentodrink，andasthatcamelputitsnoseintotheshallowwaterofthatgardenbrook，AliHafed\'ssuccessornoticedacuriousflashoflightfromthewhitesandsofthestream。
Hepulledoutablackstonehavinganeyeoflightreflectingallthehuesoftherainbow。Hetookthepebbleintothehouseandputitonthemantelwhichcoversthecentralfires，andforgotallaboutit。
AfewdayslaterthissameoldpriestcameintovisitAliHafed\'ssuccessor，andthemomentheopenedthatdrawing-roomdoorhesawthatflashoflightonthemantel，andherusheduptoit，andshouted:“Hereisadiamond!HasAliHafedreturned?\'\'“Ohno，AliHafedhasnotreturned，andthatisnotadiamond。Thatisnothingbutastonewefoundrightouthereinourowngarden。\'\'“But，\'\'saidthepriest，“ItellyouIknowadiamondwhenIseeit。Iknowpositivelythatisadiamond。\'\'
Thentogethertheyrushedoutintothatoldgardenandstirredupthewhitesandswiththeirfingers，andlo!therecameupothermorebeautifulandvaluablegemsthanthefirst。“Thus，\'\'
saidtheguidetome，and，friends，itishistoricallytrue，“wasdiscoveredthediamond-mineofGolconda，themostmagnificentdiamond-mineinallthehistoryofmankind，excellingtheKimberlyitself。TheKohinoor，andtheOrloffofthecrownjewelsofEnglandandRussia，thelargestonearth，camefromthatmine。\'\'
WhenthatoldArabguidetoldmethesecondchapterofhisstory，hethentookoffhisTurkishcapandswungitaroundintheairagaintogetmyattentiontothemoral。ThoseArabguideshavemoralstotheirstories，althoughtheyarenotalwaysmoral。Asheswunghishat，hesaidtome，“HadAliHafedremainedathomeandduginhisowncellar，orunderneathhisownwheat-
fields，orinhisowngarden，insteadofwretchedness，starvation，anddeathbysuicideinastrangeland，hewouldhavehad`acresofdiamonds。\'
Foreveryacreofthatoldfarm，yes，everyshovelful，afterwardrevealedgemswhichsincehavedecoratedthecrownsofmonarchs。\'\'
WhenhehadaddedthemoraltohisstoryI
sawwhyhereserveditfor“hisparticularfriends。\'\'
ButIdidnottellhimIcouldseeit。ItwasthatmeanoldArab\'swayofgoingaroundathinglikealawyer，tosayindirectlywhathedidnotdaresaydirectly，that“inhisprivateopiniontherewasacertainyoungmanthentravelingdowntheTigrisRiverthatmightbetterbeathomeinAmerica。\'\'IdidnottellhimIcouldseethat，butItoldhimhisstoryremindedmeofone，andItoldittohimquick，andIthinkIwilltellittoyou。
ItoldhimofamanoutinCaliforniain1847
whoownedaranch。HeheardtheyhaddiscoveredgoldinsouthernCalifornia，andsowithapassionforgoldhesoldhisranchtoColonelSutter，andawayhewent，nevertocomeback。ColonelSutterputamilluponastreamthatranthroughthatranch，andonedayhislittlegirlbroughtsomewetsandfromtheracewayintotheirhomeandsifteditthroughherfingersbeforethefire，andinthatfallingsandavisitorsawthefirstshiningscalesofrealgoldthatwereeverdiscoveredinCalifornia。Themanwhohadownedthatranchwantedgold，andhecouldhavesecureditforthemeretaking。Indeed，thirty-eightmillionsofdollarshasbeentakenoutofaveryfewacressincethen。AbouteightyearsagoIdeliveredthislectureinacitythatstandsonthatfarm，andtheytoldmethataone-thirdownerforyearsandyearshadbeengettingonehundredandtwentydollarsingoldeveryfifteenminutes，sleepingorwaking，withouttaxation。YouandIwouldenjoyanincomelikethat——ifwedidn\'thavetopayanincometax。
ButabetterillustrationreallythanthatoccurredhereinourownPennsylvania。IfthereisanythingIenjoyaboveanotherontheplatform，itistogetoneoftheseGermanaudiencesinPennsylvaniabeforeme，andfirethatatthem，andIenjoyitto-night。TherewasamanlivinginPennsylvania，notunlikesomePennsylvaniansyouhaveseen，whoownedafarm，andhedidwiththatfarmjustwhatIshoulddowithafarmifIownedoneinPennsylvania——hesoldit。
Butbeforehesoldithedecidedtosecureemploymentcollectingcoal-oilforhiscousin，whowasinthebusinessinCanada，wheretheyfirstdiscoveredoilonthiscontinent。Theydippeditfromtherunningstreamsatthatearlytime。
SothisPennsylvaniafarmerwrotetohiscousinaskingforemployment。Yousee，friends，thisfarmerwasnotaltogetherafoolishman。No，hewasnot。Hedidnotleavehisfarmuntilhehadsomethingelsetodo。_*OfallthesimpletonsthestarsshineonIdon\'tknowofaworseonethanthemanwholeavesonejobbeforehehasgottenanother_。Thathasespecialreferencetomyprofession，andhasnoreferencewhatevertoamanseekingadivorce。Whenhewrotetohiscousinforemployment，hiscousinreplied，“Icannotengageyoubecauseyouknownothingabouttheoilbusiness。\'\'
Well，thentheoldfarmersaid，“Iwillknow，\'\'
andwithmostcommendablezealcharacteristicofthestudentsofTempleUniversityhesethimselfatthestudyofthewholesubject。HebeganawaybackattheseconddayofGod\'screationwhenthisworldwascoveredthickanddeepwiththatrichvegetationwhichsincehasturnedtotheprimitivebedsofcoal。Hestudiedthesubjectuntilhefoundthatthedrainingsreallyofthoserichbedsofcoalfurnishedthecoal-oilthatwasworthpumping，andthenhefoundhowitcameupwiththelivingsprings。Hestudieduntilheknewwhatitlookedlike，smelledlike，tastedlike，andhowtorefineit。Nowsaidheinhislettertohiscousin，“Iunderstandtheoilbusiness。\'\'Hiscousinanswered，“Allright，comeon。\'\'
Sohesoldhisfarm，accordingtothecountyrecord，for$833evenmoney，“nocents\'\'。Hehadscarcelygonefromthatplacebeforethemanwhopurchasedthespotwentouttoarrangeforthewateringofthecattle。Hefoundthepreviousownerhadgoneoutyearsbeforeandputaplankacrossthebrookbackofthebarn，edgewiseintothesurfaceofthewaterjustafewinches。Thepurposeofthatplankatthatsharpangleacrossthebrookwastothrowovertotheotherbankadreadful-lookingscumthroughwhichthecattlewouldnotputtheirnoses。Butwiththatplanktheretothrowitallovertooneside，thecattlewoulddrinkbelow，andthusthatmanwhohadgonetoCanadahadbeenhimselfdammingbackfortwenty-threeyearsafloodofcoal-oilwhichthestategeologistsofPennsylvaniadeclaredtoustenyearslaterwaseventhenworthahundredmillionsofdollarstoourstate，andfouryearsagoourgeologistdeclaredthediscoverytobeworthtoourstateathousandmillionsofdollars。ThemanwhoownedthatterritoryonwhichthecityofTitusvillenowstands，andthosePleasantvillevalleys，hadstudiedthesubjectfromtheseconddayofGod\'screationcleardowntothepresenttime。Hestudiedituntilheknewallaboutit，andyetheissaidtohavesoldthewholeofitfor$833，andagainIsay，“nosense。\'\'
ButIneedanotherillustration。IfounditinMassachusetts，andIamsorryIdidbecausethatisthestateIcamefrom。ThisyoungmaninMassachusettsfurnishesjustanotherphaseofmythought。HewenttoYaleCollegeandstudiedminesandmining，andbecamesuchanadeptasaminingengineerthathewasemployedbytheauthoritiesoftheuniversitytotrainstudentswhowerebehindtheirclasses。Duringhissenioryearheearned$15aweekfordoingthatwork。Whenhegraduatedtheyraisedhispayfrom$15to$45
aweek，andofferedhimaprofessorship，andassoonastheydidhewentrighthometohismother。
_*Iftheyhadraisedthatboy\'spayfrom$15to$15。60
hewouldhavestayedandbeenproudoftheplace，butwhentheyputitupto$45atoneleap，hesaid，“Mother，Iwon\'tworkfor$45aweek。Theideaofamanwithabrainlikemineworkingfor$45
aweek!_Let\'sgooutinCaliforniaandstakeoutgold-minesandsilver-mines，andbeimmenselyrich。\'\'
Saidhismother，“Now，Charlie，itisjustaswelltobehappyasitistoberich。\'\'
“Yes，\'\'saidCharlie，“butitisjustaswelltoberichandhappy，too。\'\'Andtheywerebothrightaboutit。Ashewasanonlysonandsheawidow，ofcoursehehadhisway。Theyalwaysdo。
TheysoldoutinMassachusetts，andinsteadofgoingtoCaliforniatheywenttoWisconsin，wherehewentintotheemployoftheSuperiorCopperMiningCompanyat$15aweekagain，butwiththeprovisoinhiscontractthatheshouldhaveaninterestinanyminesheshoulddiscoverforthecompany。Idon\'tbelieveheeverdiscoveredamine，andifIamlookinginthefaceofanystockholderofthatcoppercompanyyouwishhehaddiscoveredsomethingorother。Ihavefriendswhoarenotherebecausetheycouldnotaffordaticket，whodidhavestockinthatcompanyatthetimethisyoungmanwasemployedthere。Thisyoungmanwentoutthere，andI
havenotheardawordfromhim。Idon\'tknowwhatbecameofhim，andIdon\'tknowwhetherhefoundanyminesornot，butIdon\'tbelieveheeverdid。
ButIdoknowtheotherendoftheline。Hehadscarcelygottenoutoftheoldhomesteadbeforethesucceedingownerwentouttodigpotatoes。
Thepotatoeswerealreadygrowinginthegroundwhenheboughtthefarm，andastheoldfarmerwasbringinginabasketofpotatoesithuggedverytightbetweentheendsofthestonefence。
YouknowinMassachusettsourfarmsarenearlyallstonewall。Thereyouareobligedtobeveryeconomicaloffrontgatewaysinordertohavesomeplacetoputthestone。Whenthatbaskethuggedsotighthesetitdownontheground，andthendraggedononeside，andpulledontheotherside，andashewasdraggingthatbasketthroughthisfarmernoticedintheupperandoutercornerofthatstonewall，rightnextthegate，ablockofnativesilvereightinchessquare。
Thatprofessorofmines，mining，andmineralogywhoknewsomuchaboutthesubjectthathewouldnotworkfor$45aweek，whenhesoldthathomesteadinMassachusettssatrightonthatsilvertomakethebargain。Hewasbornonthathomestead，wasbroughtupthere，andhadgonebackandforthrubbingthestonewithhissleeveuntilitreflectedhiscountenance，andseemedtosay，“Hereisahundredthousanddollarsrightdownherejustforthetaking。\'\'
Buthewouldnottakeit。ItwasinahomeinNewburyport，Massachusetts，andtherewasnosilverthere，allawayoff——well，Idon\'tknowwhere，andhedidnot，butsomewhereelse，andhewasaprofessorofmineralogy。
Myfriends，thatmistakeisveryuniversallymade，andwhyshouldweevensmileathim。I
oftenwonderwhathasbecomeofhim。Idonotknowatall，butIwilltellyouwhatI“guess\'\'
asaYankee。Iguessthathesitsouttherebyhisfiresideto-nightwithhisfriendsgatheredaroundhim，andheissayingtothemsomethinglikethis:
“DoyouknowthatmanConwellwholivesinPhiladelphia?\'\'“Ohyes，Ihaveheardofhim。\'\'
“DoyouknowthatmanJonesthatlivesinPhiladelphia?\'\'“Yes，Ihaveheardofhim，too。\'\'
Thenhebeginstolaugh，andshakeshissidesandsaystohisfriends，“Well，theyhavedonejustthesamethingIdid，precisely\'\'——andthatspoilsthewholejoke，foryouandIhavedonethesamethinghedid，andwhilewesithereandlaughathimhehasabetterrighttositoutthereandlaughatus。IknowIhavemadethesamemistakes，but，ofcourse，thatdoesnotmakeanydifference，becausewedon\'texpectthesamemantopreachandpractise，too。
AsIcomehereto-nightandlookaroundthisaudienceIamseeingagainwhatthroughthesefiftyyearsIhavecontinuallyseen-menthataremakingpreciselythatsamemistake。IoftenwishIcouldseetheyoungerpeople，andwouldthattheAcademyhadbeenfilledto-nightwithourhigh-
schoolscholarsandourgrammar-schoolscholars，thatIcouldhavethemtotalkto。WhileIwouldhavepreferredsuchanaudienceasthat，becausetheyaremostsusceptible，astheyhavenotgrownupintotheirprejudicesaswehave，theyhavenotgottenintoanycustomthattheycannotbreak，theyhavenotmetwithanyfailuresaswehave；andwhileIcouldperhapsdosuchanaudienceasthatmoregoodthanIcandogrown-
uppeople，yetIwilldothebestIcanwiththematerialIhave。Isaytoyouthatyouhave“acresofdiamonds\'\'inPhiladelphiarightwhereyounowlive。“Oh，\'\'butyouwillsay，“youcannotknowmuchaboutyourcityifyouthinkthereareany`acresofdiamonds\'here。\'\'
IwasgreatlyinterestedinthataccountinthenewspaperoftheyoungmanwhofoundthatdiamondinNorthCarolina。Itwasoneofthepurestdiamondsthathaseverbeendiscovered，andithasseveralpredecessorsnearthesamelocality。Iwenttoadistinguishedprofessorinmineralogyandaskedhimwherehethoughtthosediamondscamefrom。Theprofessorsecuredthemapofthegeologicformationsofourcontinent，andtracedit。Hesaiditwenteitherthroughtheunderlyingcarboniferousstrataadaptedforsuchproduction，westwardthroughOhioandtheMississippi，orinmoreprobabilitycameeastwardthroughVirginiaanduptheshoreoftheAtlanticOcean。Itisafactthatthediamondswerethere，fortheyhavebeendiscoveredandsold；andthattheywerecarrieddownthereduringthedriftperiod，fromsomenorthernlocality。NowwhocansaybutsomepersongoingdownwithhisdrillinPhiladelphiawillfindsometraceofadiamond-mineyetdownhere?Oh，friends!youcannotsaythatyouarenotoveroneofthegreatestdiamond-minesintheworld，forsuchadiamondasthatonlycomesfromthemostprofitableminesthatarefoundonearth。
Butitservessimplytoillustratemythought，whichIemphasizebysayingifyoudonothavetheactualdiamond-minesliterallyyouhaveallthattheywouldbegoodfortoyou。BecausenowthattheQueenofEnglandhasgiventhegreatestcomplimenteverconferreduponAmericanwomanforherattirebecauseshedidnotappearwithanyjewelsatallatthelatereceptioninEngland，ithasalmostdoneawaywiththeuseofdiamondsanyhow。Allyouwouldcareforwouldbethefewyouwouldwearifyouwishtobemodest，andtherestyouwouldsellformoney。
Nowthen，Isayagainthattheopportunitytogetrich，toattainuntogreatwealth，ishereinPhiladelphianow，withinthereachofalmosteverymanandwomanwhohearsmespeakto-
night，andImeanjustwhatIsay。Ihavenotcometothisplatformevenunderthesecircumstancestorecitesomethingtoyou。IhavecometotellyouwhatinGod\'ssightIbelievetobethetruth，andiftheyearsoflifehavebeenofanyvaluetomeintheattainmentofcommonsense，IknowIamright；thatthemenandwomensittinghere，whofounditdifficultperhapstobuyatickettothislectureorgatheringto-night，havewithintheirreach“acresofdiamonds，\'\'opportunitiestogetlargelywealthy。ThereneverwasaplaceonearthmoreadaptedthanthecityofPhiladelphiato-day，andneverinthehistoryoftheworlddidapoormanwithoutcapitalhavesuchanopportunitytogetrichquicklyandhonestlyashehasnowinourcity。Isayitisthetruth，andIwantyoutoacceptitassuch；forifyouthinkIhavecometosimplyrecitesomething，thenIwouldbetternotbehere。Ihavenotimetowasteinanysuchtalk，buttosaythethingsIbelieve，andunlesssomeofyougetricherforwhatIamsayingto-nightmytimeiswasted。
Isaythatyououghttogetrich，anditisyourdutytogetrich。Howmanyofmypiousbrethrensaytome，“Doyou，aChristianminister，spendyourtimegoingupanddownthecountryadvisingyoungpeopletogetrich，togetmoney?\'\'“Yes，ofcourseIdo。\'\'Theysay，“Isn\'tthatawful!
Whydon\'tyoupreachthegospelinsteadofpreachingaboutman\'smakingmoney?\'\'“Becausetomakemoneyhonestlyistopreachthegospel。\'\'Thatisthereason。Themenwhogetrichmaybethemosthonestmenyoufindinthecommunity。
“Oh，\'\'butsayssomeyoungmanhereto-night，“Ihavebeentoldallmylifethatifapersonhasmoneyheisverydishonestanddishonorableandmeanandcontemptible。“Myfriend，thatisthereasonwhyyouhavenone，becauseyouhavethatideaofpeople。Thefoundationofyourfaithisaltogetherfalse。Letmesayhereclearly，andsayitbriefly，thoughsubjecttodiscussionwhichIhavenottimeforhere，ninety-eightoutofonehundredoftherichmenofAmericaarehonest。
Thatiswhytheyarerich。Thatiswhytheyaretrustedwithmoney。Thatiswhytheycarryongreatenterprisesandfindplentyofpeopletoworkwiththem。Itisbecausetheyarehonestmen。
Saysanotheryoungman，“Ihearsometimesofmenthatgetmillionsofdollarsdishonestly。\'\'
Yes，ofcourseyoudo，andsodoI。Buttheyaresorareathinginfactthatthenewspaperstalkaboutthemallthetimeasamatterofnewsuntilyougettheideathatalltheotherrichmengotrichdishonestly。
Myfriend，youtakeanddriveme——ifyoufurnishtheauto——outintothesuburbsofPhiladelphia，andintroducemetothepeoplewhoowntheirhomesaroundthisgreatcity，thosebeautifulhomeswithgardensandflowers，thosemagnificenthomessolovelyintheirart，andIwillintroduceyoutotheverybestpeopleincharacteraswellasinenterpriseinourcity，andyouknowIwill。
Amanisnotreallyatruemanuntilheownshisownhome，andtheythatowntheirhomesaremademorehonorableandhonestandpure，andtrueandeconomicalandcareful，byowningthehome。
Foramantohavemoney，eveninlargesums，isnotaninconsistentthing。Wepreachagainstcovetousness，andyouknowwedo，inthepulpit，andoftentimespreachagainstitsolongandusethetermsabout“filthylucre\'\'soextremelythatChristiansgettheideathatwhenwestandinthepulpitwebelieveitiswickedforanymantohavemoney——untilthecollection-basketgoesaround，andthenwealmostswearatthepeoplebecausetheydon\'tgivemoremoney。Oh，theinconsistencyofsuchdoctrinesasthat!
Moneyispower，andyououghttobereasonablyambitioustohaveit。Yououghtbecauseyoucandomoregoodwithitthanyoucouldwithoutit。MoneyprintedyourBible，moneybuildsyourchurches，moneysendsyourmissionaries，andmoneypaysyourpreachers，andyouwouldnothavemanyofthem，either，ifyoudidnotpaythem。Iamalwayswillingthatmychurchshouldraisemysalary，becausethechurchthatpaysthelargestsalaryalwaysraisesittheeasiest。Youneverknewanexceptiontoitinyourlife。Themanwhogetsthelargestsalarycandothemostgoodwiththepowerthatisfurnishedtohim。
Ofcoursehecanifhisspiritberighttouseitforwhatitisgiventohim。
Isay，then，yououghttohavemoney。IfyoucanhonestlyattainuntorichesinPhiladelphia，itisyourChristianandgodlydutytodoso。
Itisanawfulmistakeofthesepiouspeopletothinkyoumustbeawfullypoorinordertobepious。
Somemensay，“Don\'tyousympathizewiththepoorpeople?\'\'OfcourseIdo，orelseIwouldnothavebeenlecturingtheseyears。Iwon\'tgiveinbutwhatIsympathizewiththepoor，butthenumberofpoorwhoaretobesympathizedwithisverysmall。TosympathizewithamanwhomGodhaspunishedforhissins，thustohelphimwhenGodwouldstillcontinueajustpunishment，istodowrong，nodoubtaboutit，andwedothatmorethanwehelpthosewhoaredeserving。WhileweshouldsympathizewithGod\'spoor——thatis，thosewhocannothelpthemselves——
letusrememberthereisnotapoorpersonintheUnitedStateswhowasnotmadepoorbyhisownshortcomings，orbytheshortcomingsofsomeoneelse。Itisallwrongtobepoor，anyhow。Letusgiveintothatargumentandpassthattooneside。
Agentlemangetsupbackthere，andsays，“Don\'tyouthinktherearesomethingsinthisworldthatarebetterthanmoney?\'\'OfcourseI
do，butIamtalkingaboutmoneynow。Ofcoursetherearesomethingshigherthanmoney。Ohyes，Iknowbythegravethathasleftmestandingalonethattherearesomethingsinthisworldthatarehigherandsweeterandpurerthanmoney。WelldoIknowtherearesomethingshigherandgranderthangold。LoveisthegrandestthingonGod\'searth，butfortunatetheloverwhohasplentyofmoney。Moneyispower，moneyisforce，moneywilldogoodaswellasharm。Inthehandsofgoodmenandwomenitcouldaccomplish，andithasaccomplished，good。
Ihatetoleavethatbehindme。Iheardamangetupinaprayer-meetinginourcityandthanktheLordhewas“oneofGod\'spoor。\'\'
Well，Iwonderwhathiswifethinksaboutthat?
Sheearnsallthemoneythatcomesintothathouse，andhesmokesapartofthatontheveranda。
Idon\'twanttoseeanymoreoftheLord\'spoorofthatkind，andIdon\'tbelievetheLorddoes。
Andyettherearesomepeoplewhothinkinordertobepiousyoumustbeawfullypoorandawfullydirty。Thatdoesnotfollowatall。Whilewesympathizewiththepoor，letusnotteachadoctrinelikethat。
YettheageisprejudicedagainstadvisingaChristianmanor，asaJewwouldsay，agodlymanfromattaininguntowealth。Theprejudiceissouniversalandtheyearsarefarenoughback，Ithink，formetosafelymentionthatyearsagoupatTempleUniversitytherewasayoungmaninourtheologicalschoolwhothoughthewastheonlypiousstudentinthatdepartment。Hecameintomyofficeoneeveningandsatdownbymydesk，andsaidtome:“Mr。President，Ithinkitismydutysir，tocomeinandlaborwithyou。\'\'
“Whathashappenednow?\'\'Saidhe，“IheardyousayattheAcademy，atthePeirceSchoolcommencement，thatyouthoughtitwasanhonorableambitionforayoungmantodesiretohavewealth，andthatyouthoughtitmadehimtemperate，madehimanxioustohaveagoodname，andmadehimindustrious。Youspokeaboutman\'sambitiontohavemoneyhelpingtomakehimagoodman。Sir，IhavecometotellyoutheHolyBiblesaysthat`moneyistherootofallevil。\'\'\'
ItoldhimIhadneverseenitintheBible，andadvisedhimtogooutintothechapelandgettheBible，andshowmetheplace。SoouthewentfortheBible，andsoonhestalkedintomyofficewiththeBibleopen，withallthebigotedprideofthenarrowsectarian，orofonewhofoundshisChristianityonsomemisinterpretationofScripture。
HeflungtheBibledownonmydesk，andfairlysquealedintomyear:“Thereitis，Mr。
President；youcanreaditforyourself。\'\'Isaidtohim:“Well，youngman，youwilllearnwhenyougetalittleolderthatyoucannottrustanotherdenominationtoreadtheBibleforyou。Youbelongtoanotherdenomination。Youaretaughtinthetheologicalschool，however，thatemphasisisexegesis。Now，willyoutakethatBibleandreadityourself，andgivetheproperemphasistoit?\'\'
HetooktheBible，andproudlyread，“`Theloveofmoneyistherootofallevil。\'\'\'
Thenhehaditright，andwhenonedoesquotearightfromthatsameoldBookhequotestheabsolutetruth。IhavelivedthroughfiftyyearsofthemightiestbattlethatoldBookhaseverfought，andIhavelivedtoseeitsbannersflyingfree；forneverinthehistoryofthisworlddidthegreatmindsofearthsouniversallyagreethattheBibleistrue——alltrue——astheydoatthisveryhour。
SoIsaythatwhenhequotedright，ofcoursehequotedtheabsolutetruth。“Theloveofmoneyistherootofallevil。\'\'Hewhotriestoattainuntoittooquickly，ordishonestly，willfallintomanysnares，nodoubtaboutthat。Theloveofmoney。Whatisthat?Itismakinganidolofmoney，andidolatrypureandsimpleeverywhereiscondemnedbytheHolyScripturesandbyman\'scommonsense。Themanthatworshipsthedollarinsteadofthinkingofthepurposesforwhichitoughttobeused，themanwhoidolizessimplymoney，themiserthathordeshismoneyinthecellar，orhidesitinhisstocking，orrefusestoinvestitwhereitwilldotheworldgood，thatmanwhohugsthedollaruntiltheeaglesquealshasinhimtherootofallevil。
IthinkIwillleavethatbehindmenowandanswerthequestionofnearlyallofyouwhoareasking，“IsthereopportunitytogetrichinPhiladelphia?\'\'Well，now，howsimpleathingitistoseewhereitis，andtheinstantyouseewhereitisitisyours。Someoldgentlemangetsupbackthereandsays，“Mr。Conwell，haveyoulivedinPhiladelphiaforthirty-oneyearsanddon\'tknowthatthetimehasgonebywhenyoucanmakeanythinginthiscity?\'\'“No，Idon\'tthinkitis。\'\'
“Yes，itis；Ihavetriedit。\'\'“Whatbusinessareyouin?\'\'“Ikeptastoreherefortwentyyears，andnevermadeoverathousanddollarsinthewholetwentyyears。\'\'
“Well，then，youcanmeasurethegoodyouhavebeentothiscitybywhatthiscityhaspaidyou，becauseamancanjudgeverywellwhatheisworthbywhathereceives；thatis，inwhatheistotheworldatthistime。IfyouhavenotmadeoverathousanddollarsintwentyyearsinPhiladelphia，itwouldhavebeenbetterforPhiladelphiaiftheyhadkickedyououtofthecitynineteenyearsandninemonthsago。AmanhasnorighttokeepastoreinPhiladelphiatwentyyearsandnotmakeatleastfivehundredthousanddollarseventhoughitbeacornergroceryup-town。\'
Yousay，“Youcannotmakefivethousanddollarsinastorenow。\'\'Oh，myfriends，ifyouwilljusttakeonlyfourblocksaroundyou，andfindoutwhatthepeoplewantandwhatyououghttosupplyandsetthemdownwithyourpencilandfigureuptheprofitsyouwouldmakeifyoudidsupplythem，youwouldverysoonseeit。
Thereiswealthrightwithinthesoundofyourvoice。
Someonesays:“Youdon\'tknowanythingaboutbusiness。Apreacherneverknowsathingaboutbusiness。\'\'Well，then，IwillhavetoprovethatIamanexpert。Idon\'tliketodothis，butIhavetodoitbecausemytestimonywillnotbetakenifIamnotanexpert。Myfatherkeptacountrystore，andifthereisanyplaceunderthestarswhereamangetsallsortsofexperienceineverykindofmercantiletransactions，itisinthecountrystore。Iamnotproudofmyexperience，butsometimeswhenmyfatherwasawayhewouldleavemeinchargeofthestore，thoughfortunatelyforhimthatwasnotveryoften。Butthisdidoccurmanytimes，friends:Amanwouldcomeinthestore，andsaytome，“Doyoukeepjackknives?\'\'“No，wedon\'tkeepjack-knives，\'\'andIwentoffwhistlingatune。WhatdidIcareaboutthatman，anyhow?Thenanotherfarmerwouldcomeinandsay，“Doyoukeepjackknives?\'\'“No，wedon\'tkeepjack-knives。\'\'
ThenIwentawayandwhistledanothertune。
Thenathirdmancamerightinthesamedoorandsaid，“Doyoukeepjack-knives?\'\'“No。Whyiseveryonearoundhereaskingforjack-knives?
Doyousupposewearekeepingthisstoretosupplythewholeneighborhoodwithjack-knives?\'\'
DoyoucarryonyourstorelikethatinPhiladelphia?
ThedifficultywasIhadnotthenlearnedthatthefoundationofgodlinessandthefoundationprincipleofsuccessinbusinessareboththesameprecisely。Themanwhosays，“Icannotcarrymyreligionintobusiness\'\'advertiseshimselfeitherasbeinganimbecileinbusiness，orontheroadtobankruptcy，orathief，oneofthethree，sure。Hewillfailwithinaveryfewyears。Hecertainlywillifhedoesn\'tcarryhisreligionintobusiness。IfIhadbeencarryingonmyfather\'sstoreonaChristianplan，godlyplan，Iwouldhavehadajack-knifeforthethirdmanwhenhecalledforit。ThenIwouldhaveactuallydonehimakindness，andIwouldhavereceivedarewardmyself，whichitwouldhavebeenmydutytotake。
Therearesomeover-piousChristianpeoplewhothinkifyoutakeanyprofitonanythingyousellthatyouareanunrighteousman。Onthecontrary，youwouldbeacriminaltosellgoodsforlessthantheycost。Youhavenorighttodothat。Youcannottrustamanwithyourmoneywhocannottakecareofhisown。Youcannottrustamaninyourfamilythatisnottruetohisownwife。Youcannottrustamanintheworldthatdoesnotbeginwithhisownheart，hisowncharacter，andhisownlife。Itwouldhavebeenmydutytohavefurnishedajack-knifetothethirdman，orthesecond，andtohavesoldittohimandactuallyprofitedmyself。IhavenomorerighttosellgoodswithoutmakingaprofitonthemthanIhavetooverchargehimdishonestlybeyondwhattheyareworth。ButIshouldsoselleachbillofgoodsthatthepersontowhomIsellshallmakeasmuchasImake。
Toliveandletliveistheprincipleofthegospel，andtheprincipleofevery-daycommonsense。Oh，youngman，hearme；liveasyougoalong。Donotwaituntilyouhavereachedmyyearsbeforeyoubegintoenjoyanythingofthislife。IfIhadthemillionsback，orfiftycentsofit，whichIhavetriedtoearnintheseyears，itwouldnotdomeanythinglikethegoodthatitdoesmenowinthisalmostsacredpresenceto-
night。Oh，yes，Iampaidoverandoverahundredfoldto-nightfordividingasIhavetriedtodoinsomemeasureasIwentalongthroughtheyears。Ioughtnotspeakthatway，itsoundsegotistic，butIamoldenoughnowtobeexcusedforthat。Ishouldhavehelpedmyfellow-men，whichIhavetriedtodo，andeveryoneshouldtrytodo，andgetthehappinessofit。Themanwhogoeshomewiththesensethathehasstolenadollarthatday，thathehasrobbedamanofwhatwashishonestdue，isnotgoingtosweetrest。Hearisestiredinthemorning，andgoeswithanuncleanconsciencetohisworkthenextday。Heisnotasuccessfulmanatall，althoughhemayhavelaidupmillions。Butthemanwhohasgonethroughlifedividingalwayswithhisfellow-men，makinganddemandinghisownrightsandhisownprofits，andgivingtoeveryothermanhisrightsandprofits，liveseveryday，andnotonlythat，butitistheroyalroadtogreatwealth。