Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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OF FIGHTING FAITH 19 43 Conwell in hit study the memories of Dr. Russell Herman Conwell. The Templar here commemorates, in Con well's own institution—on his streets, in his church and classrooms, and with his friends—the 100th anniversary of his birth. One hundred years ago the 1 nited States was at peace with the world. Today, in 1943, the earth is aflame with greed and selfishness: power, savagery, sadism and persecution make bloody the once proud fields of France and Russia, China and Africa, the Philippines, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and (I recce. Blood from the hearts of men who fight—anti will continue to fight as Dr. Con-well would have them—for the freedom and the rights to live, love, and know liberty without distinction to race, color, or creed. Portrait of Conwell 13 Conwell at the grave of Johnny Ring

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ONE HUNDRED YEARS 18 43 1 94.8 . . . We’re at war today. We’ve been at war for a year and a half now and our fighting men are winning. Fighting men with faith in their country and the democracy for which it stands. Fighting men—from the farm, the city, the office, and the college. Fighting men. And Temple’s fighting with them, helping a mighty Nation in its all-out drive to down a totalitarian philosophy that is determined to enslave the free-thinking, free-living peoples of the entire civilized world. More than 4,000 fighting Temple grads. Marching feet that went from Temple classrooms to the battlefields of the world. Winning victories as they speed along the roads leading to Berlin and Rome and Tokyo. Yes, Temple’s fighting- on and ahead—behind the strong, wide-awake leadership of President Robert Livingston Johnson. Fighting to the tune that formed and pushed on the indomitable will of Founder Russell H. C’onwell, he who saw the University through one World War in 11)18 and who fought for the rights of freedom and free men during the Civil War. We’re fighting with the faith and the will of C’onwell. Temple's 59 years of great, educational history are filled with the stories and the thoughts and OR. RUSSELL H. CONWELL VI

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University's first building on P3rk Avenue Dr. Conwell said those words not once, but every day in his lifetime. He believed and fought for and preached about the brotherhood of man. And we're fighting with Conwell, following in his footsteps, keeping true his wish to educate the poor as well as the rich. The story of Russell Herman Conwell and Temple I Diversity reflects the theme of his immortal “Acres of Diamonds. Dr. Conwell said: Seek your riches and your wealth and your knowledge in your own backyard. Dig there and you will find your success. Do not wander aimlessly over the bigness of the world in your quest. It is before you to find. The values represented by that story still exist today—a story that a fighting Conwell left to a fighting world. Do it now ! loday! “Accomplish things under your present opportunities—or lack of opportunities. Take advantage of today. Do not be discouraged even though you are a man or woman of one talent.” And he practiced what he preached. The story of Temple is a story of grow th. It is a story of the struggles and the character of a man—a man with faith and a dream. It was Dr. (’onwell’s interest in youth that inspired Temple’s founding. He saw in education and in the spread of education—a remedy to Philadelphia’s jjoverty and lawlessness. So in 188i when a young printer. Charles M. Davies, asked Dr. (’oilwell to teach him and six of his friends courses in Latin and Creek he readily agreed. The second meeting of the class was attended by forty. The class continued to grow. From one room in the basement of Grace Baptist Church, it lie-canic a regular organized evening school with several volunteer instructors. Then in 1888. Temple College was chartered by the City of Philadelphia. Five hundred and ninety students were seeking a “broader education.” A three-storv brick building on Park Avenue became Temple’s first home. In 1893, with the laying of the cornerstone, the building of College Hall was begun. In 1907. charter changes created Temple I Diversity and Founder Russell II. Conwell became the first president. And so ConwcIPs dream of a lifetime saw the light of day. The first seven students were only the incentive for an idea that had long burned within him. It was the “wretchedness” of a Philadelphia street scene that inspired Temple’s founding. It was his fighting faith in a principle. “The ills of the poor,” Conwell once said, “can only be cured in a more useful education. Poverty . . is wholly that of the mind. Want of food, or clothing, or home, or friends, or morals, or religion, is the lack of the right instruction and proper discipline. The truly wise man need not lack the necessities of life, the wisely educated man or woman will get out of the dirty alley . The only great charity is in giving instruction.” That was the creed, the gospel of Russell II. Conwell. And he practiced what he preached. 11