The fearless, unselfish love of humanity, the desire to help the oppressed that burned in the bosom of John Brown had sent the impetuous boy into the war.

The fearless, unselfish act of John Ring sent Colonel Conwell out of the war a God-fearing man, determined to spend his life for the good of humanity.

Providence uses strange instruments.  Thousands in this country to-day have been inspired, helped, made different men and women through knowing Russell Conwell.  What may not some of them do to benefit their country and their generation!  Yet back of him stand this old gray-haired man and a young, fearless boy, whose influence turned the current of his life to brighten and bless countless thousands.

CHAPTER XII.

WESTWARD

Resignation from Army.  Admission to Bar.  Marriage.  Removal to Minnesota.  Founding of Minneapolis Y.M.C.A. and of the Present “Minneapolis Tribune.”  Burning of Home.  Breaking Out of Wound.  Appointed Emigration Agent to Germany by Governor of Minnesota.  Joins Surveying Party to Palestine.  Near to Death in Paris Hospital.  Journey to New York for Operation in Bellevue Hospital.  Return to Boston.

When Colonel Conwell was able to leave the hospital, he was still unable to assume active duty in the field, and he was sent to Nashville for further rest and treatment.  Here he reported to General Thomas and was instructed to proceed to Washington with a despatch for General Logan.  Colonel Conwell started, but the rough traveling of those days opened his wounds afresh and he completely broke down at Harper’s Ferry.  Too weak longer to resist, he yielded to the entreaties of his friends, sent in his resignation and returned home for rest and nursing.  Before he fully recovered, peace was declared.

Free to resume his studies, he entered the law office of Judge W.S.  Shurtleff, of Springfield, Massachusetts, his former Colonel, read law there for a short time, then entered the Albany University, where he graduated.

Shortly after passing his examination at the bar and receiving his degree, he was married at Chicopee Falls, March 8, 1865, to Miss Jennie P. Hayden, one of his pupils in the district school at West Granville, Massachusetts, and later one of his most proficient music scholars.  Her brothers were in his company, and when Company F was in camp at Springfield after the first enlistment, she was studying at Wilbraham and there often saw her soldier lover.  Anxious days and years they were for her that followed, as they were for every other woman with father, husband, brother or sweetheart in the terrible conflict that raged so long.  But she endured them with that silent bravery that is ever the woman’s part, that strong, steady courage that can sit at home passive, patient, never knowing but that life-long sorrow and heartache are already at the threshold.