Christian History Institute December 6, 1925 • Russell Conwell Preached Help Your Neighbor - and Reap Acres of Diamonds ©2007

fter an incident in the American Civil War, Russell Conwell made a vow. He promised that he would work sixteen hours a day: eight for himself and eight for John Ring. John Ring was a little man with a big heart. He was so small that the army would not take him. Although deeply Christian, he admired Russell, who was an atheist, and traveled with the army as Russell's servant. Russell did not think he needed Christ and did not want a servant; but he was kindly man, who knew how much it meant to Ring to be part of the army. Russell's men had bought him a sword. John polished it every day.

During a confederate raid, John was severely burned because he went back to save the sword. Ring died. His Christianity and courage led Russell to become a Christian. After the war, he hung the sword over his bed as a reminder of his vow. He became a conscientious and prosperous lawyer who refused to lie for any defendant.

But practicing law did not satisfy him. One day the lawyer spoke with a small church group who believed that their crumbling building must be sold. Russell offered to help them repair it. The people cheered up and promised to help. The next morning Russell showed up to work--and no one else. So he set to work alone. Passers-by mocked him, but he won them over with his vision. Two even promised money. When the congregation found out that Russell meant what he said, they pitched in and raised the new church. Taking a huge pay cut, Russell became their minister. He made them promise, however, that they would double his salary when he doubled the membership. Within five months he had his raise.

Next he accepted an invitation to help a struggling church in Philadelphia. The Conwell "magic" worked again and his new church also prospered. By 1893 he was pastoring the biggest Baptist congregation in the United States. He founded Temple College, now Temple University, in 1888, funded almost entirely through the modest gifts of Philadelphia Baptists.

At one time, Russell Conwell's name brought to mind the famous peace and prosperity sermon, "Acres of Diamonds," which he delivered over 6,000 times. It was published and reprinted many times in book form. Russell told the story of a man who left home to search for diamonds, not realizing that there were diamonds in the clay of his own back yard. Similarly, most of us overlook opportunities right in our own backyards, said Russell.

He pointed out that greatness does not consist of holding some office that one might get in the future. It consists of "doing great deeds with little means and the accomplishment of vast purposes from the private ranks of life." Although neither Christ nor Paul nor the apostles were rich, Russell assured his listeners that "Money is power, and you ought to be reasonably ambitious to have it. You ought because you can do more good with it than you could without it. . . If you can honestly attain unto riches, it is your Christian and godly duty to do so."

His practical advice was to find out what our neighbors need and meet that need. He pointed out that most millionaires became rich in small towns. "The men and women sitting here. . . have within their reach 'acres of diamonds,' opportunities to get largely wealthy."

Russell Conwell died on this date, December 6, 1925. Despite his "Acres of Diamonds" fame, one wonders if he might not today be prouder for the growth of Temple College into Temple University in Philadelphia, a legacy reaching beyond his own time and into the future.

Bibliography:

1. Adapted from an earlier Christian History Institute story.
2. Conwell, Russell H. Acres of Diamonds; [with] His Life and Achievements by Robert Shackleton. New York: Harper, 1915.
3. ----------------------. Life of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Edgewood, 1892. Source of the image.

Last updated July, 2007.