These same ministers have recently been quarreling in their convention at Pittsburgh upon the subject of instrumental music in churches.  But while they are debating whether it is right to have organs in churches, intelligent people are opening museums, conservatories, and libraries upon the Sabbath; and unless the pulpit soon learns how to meet the real wants of the people in this life (where alone men’s duties lie) much better than it is doing at present, these rival claimants for popular favor may soon empty their churches.

Unfortunately Kloman and Phipps soon differed with Miller about the business and forced him out.  Being convinced that Miller was unfairly treated, I united with him in building new works.  These were the Cyclops Mills of 1864.  After they were set running it became possible, and therefore advisable, to unite the old and the new works, and the Union Iron Mills were formed by their consolidation in 1867.  I did not believe that Mr. Miller’s reluctance to associate again with his former partners, Phipps and Kloman, could not be overcome, because they would not control the Union Works.  Mr. Miller, my brother, and I would hold the controlling interest.  But Mr. Miller proved obdurate and begged me to buy his interest, which I reluctantly did after all efforts had failed to induce him to let bygones be bygones.  He was Irish, and the Irish blood when aroused is uncontrollable.  Mr. Miller has since regretted (to me) his refusal of my earnest request, which would have enabled the pioneer of all of us to reap what was only his rightful reward—­millionairedom for himself and his followers.

We were young in manufacturing then and obtained for the Cyclops Mills what was considered at the time an enormous extent of land—­seven acres.  For some years we offered to lease a portion of the ground to others.  It soon became a question whether we could continue the manufacture of iron within so small an area.  Mr. Kloman succeeded in making iron beams and for many years our mill was far in advance of any other in that respect.  We began at the new mill by making all shapes which were required, and especially such as no other concern would undertake, depending upon an increasing demand in our growing country for things that were only rarely needed at first.  What others could not or would not do we would attempt, and this was a rule of our business which was strictly adhered to.  Also we would make nothing except of excellent quality.  We always accommodated our customers, even although at some expense to ourselves, and in cases of dispute we gave the other party the benefit of the doubt and settled.  These were our rules.  We had no lawsuits.