His latest book, “The New Day,” is an amplification of his great lecture, “Acres of Diamonds.”  It is not only delightful reading but it is full of practical help for the affairs of everyday life.  For no matter in what field Dr. Conwell works, this great desire of his life—­to help his brother man—­shines out.

CHAPTER XXXV

A HOME COMING

Reception Tendered by Citizens of Philadelphia in Acknowledgment of Work as Public Benefactor.

One more scene in the life of this man who, from a barefoot country boy with no advantages, has become one of the most widely known of the preachers, lecturers and writers of the day, as well as the founder of a college and hospital holding an honored position among the institutions of the country.

In 1894, acting upon the advice of his physician, Dr. Conwell went abroad.  It is no unusual thing for pastors to go abroad, nor for members of their church and friends to see them off.  But for Grace Baptist Church personally to wish its pastor “Bon voyage” is something of an undertaking.  A special train was chartered to take the members to New York.  Here a steamer engaged for the purpose awaited them, and twelve hundred strong, they steamed down the harbor alongside the “New York” that Dr. Conwell’s last glimpse of America might be of the faces of his own church family.

On his return six hundred church members met him and gave him a royal welcome, and a large reception was held in The Temple to show how glad were the hearts of his people that he was restored to them in health.

But it was not enough.  The people of Philadelphia said, “This man belongs to us.”  In all parts of the city, in all walks of life, were men and women who had studied at Temple College, whose lives were happier, more useful because of the knowledge they had gained there, for whom he had opened these college doors.  The Samaritan Hospital had sent forth people by the hundreds whose bodies had been healed and their spirits quickened because his kindly heart had foreseen their need and his generous hands labored to help it.  Everywhere throughout the whole city was felt the leaven of his work, and the people as a body said, “We will show our appreciation of the work he has done for Philadelphia, we will show that we recognize him as one of the city’s greatest benefactors and philanthropists.”

A committee of twenty-one citizens was formed, of which the Mayor, Edwin S. Stuart, was chairman, and a reception was tendered Dr. and Mrs. Conwell and the others of his party in the name of the citizens of Philadelphia.  It was given at the Academy of Fine Arts.  With its paintings and statuary, its broad sweeping staircases, it made a magnificent setting for the throngs of men and women who crowded to pay their respects to this man who had lived among them, doing good.

The line of waiting guests reached for two blocks and more and for hours moved in steady procession before the receiving party.  At last the final farewell was said and on toward midnight Dr. Conwell stepped into the carriage waiting to take him home.