arousing his people, he conceived the idea of writing "That
Printer of Udell's," planning to read the story, by installments, on
special evenings of successive weeks, to his congregation.

Pittsburg was made the principal scene and the church of the story was
the kind of church he wanted his Pittsburg charge to be. The teachings
set forth, through the preacher of the story, in the latter half of
the book, are the identical things the author was preaching. The first
chapters of the story are very largely colored by Mr. Wright's early
life, but they are by no means autobiographical.

"That Printer of Udell's" was written without thought or intention of
offering it for publication. During the author's ministry he made some
of the warmest and most abiding friendships of his life, and it was
through certain of these friends that he was persuaded from reading the
story, as intended, but to offer it for publication, giving it, thus, a
wider usefulness.

Having a leave of absence of several weeks from his church during the
winter of 1901-2 he accepted an invitation from the pastor of a Chicago
church to hold a special meeting, and it was during this meeting
that the author and his publisher met for the first time. Mr. Wright
delivered a sermon entitled "Sculptors of Life" that was so impressive
that I sought him out with entreaties to repeat his sermon as a lecture
to a certain company of young people.

The acquaintance thus begun very quickly became one of friendship,
without any knowledge or thought that it would in time lead to a
co-operative life work, and when the author later offered his book for
publication it was without request or thought of financial remuneration.
Mr. Wright, however, was given a contract paying him the highest royalty
that was being paid for any author's first book.

"That Printer of Udell's" was written almost entirely in the late hours
of the night and the very early hours of the morning. Great demands were
being made on the author's time in the way of requests for officiating
and speaking at public and civic functions in addition to the now heavy
requirements of his church. His aggressive activities, backed by his
splendid spirit, fearlessness and courage in combating the evils of his
little city made for him a host of admirers, alike, among his enemies
and friends. When he left to accept a pastorate in Kansas City,
Missouri, his resignation was not accepted.

After one year in Kansas City