Most people use for their own benefit the lessons they have learned in the hard school of experience.  They have paid for them dearly.  They endeavor to get out of them what profit they can.  Not so Dr. Conwell.  He uses his dearly bought experiences for the good of others, turning the bitterness which he endured, into sweetness for their refreshment.

The Temple College was founded, as was stated in its first catalogue, for the purpose “of opening to the burdened and circumscribed manual laborer, the doors through which he may, if he will, reach the fields of profitable and influential professional life.

“Of enabling the working man, whose labor has been largely with his muscles, to double his skill through the helpful suggestions of a cultivated mind.

“Of providing such instruction as shall be best adapted to the higher education of those who are compelled to labor at their trades while engaged in study, or who desire while studying to remain under the influence of their home or church.

“Of awakening in the character of young laboring men and women a strong and determined ambition to be useful to their fellowmen.

“Of cultivating such a taste for the higher and most useful branches of learning as shall compel the students, after they have left the college, to continue to pursue the best and most practical branches of learning to the very highest walks of mental and scientific achievement.”

A broad, humanitarian purpose it is, one that grew out of the heart of a man who loved humanity, who believed in the practical application of the teachings of Christ, who knew a cause would succeed if it filled a need.

Dr. Conwell’s own experience, his observations of life had told him that this great need existed, but it was brought home to him practically in 1884, when these two young men of whom he speaks in the letter quoted came to him and said they wanted to study for the ministry but had no money.  His mind leaped the years to those boyhood days when he longed for an education but had no money.  He fixed an evening and told them he would teach them himself.  When the night came, the two had become seven.  The third evening, the seven had grown to forty.  It was in the days when pastor and people were working hard for their new church and his hands were full.  But he did not shirk this new task that came to him.  Forty people eager to study, anxious to broaden their mental vision, to make their lives more useful, could not be disappointed, most assuredly not by a man who had known this hunger of the mind.  Teachers were secured who gave their services free, the lower parts of the church where they were then worshipping at Berks and Mervine streets were used as class rooms and the work went forward with vigor.

The first catalogue was issued in 1887, and the institution chartered in 1888, at which time there were five hundred and ninety students.  The College overflowed the basement of the church into two adjoining houses.  When The Temple was completed the College occupied the whole building.  When that was filled it moved into two large houses on Park Avenue.  Still growing, it rented two large halls.