Page:Men of Mark in America vol 2.djvu/34

10 he has rendered, Mr. Hale is modest enough to think that " the chief of them is the bringing up of his children to the glory of God and the good of man."

As a preacher, Mr. Hale won the reputation of being a man of eloquence and of high aspirations for human welfare. But his pulpit ministrations were far from exhausting his moral energy. He has diligently wrought for the glory of God and the good of man in a variety of ways, especially as an able and versatile author, and as a promoter of several highly useful associations. Among these are the Chautauqua literary and scientific circles, of which he was early elected counsellor; and the "Lend-a-Hand" clubs, which are devoted to charity, and owe their establishment to an incident narrated in his "Ten Times One is Ten." They have extended throughout civilized lands until they number over 50,000 members. He was also instrumental in founding the "Look Up Legion," which also had a rapid growth and has its final outcome in the "Epworth League." These labors in the cause of charity and moral reform have been varied by others less exceptional in character but not less useful. Doctor Hale served for a short time on the school committee of Worcester; for two years he was a member of the Overseers of the Poor of Boston, and for two terms (1866-75, 1876-87) served as an overseer of Harvard college. He helped to found the Worcester public library; he has been secretary of the Antiquarian Society, president of the New England Emigrant Aid Company, and is now president of the Lend-a-Hand Society. Other society connections are with the Alpha Delta Phi and Phi Beta Kappa, college fraternities; with the American Philosophical the Massachusetts Historical and the American Antiquarian Society. He cast his first vote as a member of the old Whig party; and since the formation of the Republican party he has been an active member of that party organization.

We have so far said little of that side of Mr. Hale's manifold activities by virtue of which he is most widely known. To the great mass of American citizens he is chiefly and most favorably known as an author, his industry in this direction being indicated by a long list of books and periodical articles, and by varied editorial labors. To many he has long been a delight and an inspiration, his attractive and telling style, his originality in ideas, and the moral lessons taught in his works having brought him a host of readers. With a strong