1910's Religion | Acres of Diamonds

Speech

By: Russell H. Conwell

Date: 1915

Source: Conwell, Russell H. Acres of Diamonds. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1915, 20–22.

About the Author: Russell H. Conwell (1843–1925), an American Baptist minister, lecturer, and founder of Temple University, was born in Worthington, Massachusetts. After first practicing law, he was ordained a minister in 1879 and moved to Philadelphia. There he founded Temple University in 1884 and served as its first president. Conwell was also a popular lecturer, with his most famous speech being "Acres of Diamonds."

Introduction

Russell H. Conwell earned his law degree at Albany Law School and went into practice. In 1879, he was consulted about the disposal of a run-down church in Boston. Rather than selling it, he advised the congregation to restore the building. Not only did he convince it to save the church, but...