at could he do? He was not a chemist; he did not
know the properties of chemical substances; he was not liberally
educated.

Dr. Morton did not resort to books, however, nor did he go to
scientific men for advice, but immediately began to experiment with
well-known substances. He tried intoxicants even to the point of
intoxication, but as soon as the instruments were applied the patient
would revive. He kept on experimenting with narcotics in this manner
until at last he found what he sought in ether.

What a grand idea Bishop Vincent worked out for the young world in the
Chautauqua Circle, Dr. Clark in his world-wide Christian Endeavor
movement, the Methodist Church in the Epworth League, Edward Everett
Hale in his little bands of King's Daughters and Ten Times One is Ten!
Here is Clara Barton who has created the Red Cross Society, which is
loved by all nations. She noticed in our Civil War that the
Confederates were shelling the hospital. She thought it the last touch
of cruelty to fight what couldn't fight back, and she determined to
have the barbarous custom stopped. Of course the world laughed at this
poor unaided woman. But her idea has been adopted by all nations; and
the enemy that aims a shot at the tent or building over which flies the
white flag with the red cross has lost his last claim to human
consideration.

In all ages those who have advanced the cause of humanity have been men
and women "possessed," in the opinion of their neighbors. Noah in
building the ark, Moses in espousing the cause of the Israelites, or
Christ in living and dying to save a fallen race, incurred the pity and
scorn of the rich and highly educated, in common with all great
benefactors. Yet in every age and in every clime men and women have
been willing to incur poverty, hardship, toil, ridicule, persecution,
or even death, if thereby they might shed light or comfort upon the
path which all must walk from the cradle to the grave. In fact it is
doubtful whether a man can perform very great service to mankind who is
not permeated with a great purpose--with an overmastering idea.

Beecher had to fight every step of the way to his triumph through
obstacles which would have appalled all but the greatest characters.
Oftentimes in these great battles for principle and struggles for
truth, he stood almost alone fighting popular prejudice, narrowness,
and bigotry, uncharitableness and envy even in his own church. But he
never h