Acres of Diamonds (Life-Changing Classics)

“Small but mighty”ily inspiring. A lot of barefaced truth that good Christians and believers should be aware of. Russell must have been very courageous to take a difficult stand in his teaching at that time in history.

57 CENTS A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it was too crowded. “ I can’t go to Sunday School,” she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday School class. The child was so touched that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus. Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings and the parents called for the kind-hearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter, to handle the final arrangements. As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribbled in childish handwriting, which read, “This is to help build the little church get bigger so that more children can go to Sunday School.”For two years she had saved for this offering of love. When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion. He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building. But the story does not end there! A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a Realtor who offered then a parcel of land worth many thousands of dollars. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for 57 cents. The church members made large subscriptions. Checks came in from far and wide. Within five years the little girl’s gift had increased to $250,000.00 - a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the 20th century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends. When you are in the City of Philadelphia, look up at Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,000 and Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained. Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of Sunday scholars, so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday School time. In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russell H. Conwell, author of the book, “Acres of Diamonds.” - a true story. Goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 cents.

Very inspiring book “yes indeed.” Russell Connell is a great author and preacher of his time and his teaching still is relevant as it was back then. Highly recommend.

The book was very good. My only negative critique is of the picture of Dr Russell Conwell painted by Robert Shackleton. The picture leaves out a realistic representation in favor of unrealistic praise and admiration. Even Dr Conwell's dealing with depression is painted as pain felt for the hurting of the world. No doubt Dr Conwell was a great man and I am enjoying learning about his life, but the telling of his life leaves realism far behind.

I read this book a century after the author's passing and find the words to be so moving and so powerful. I am not a religious man but I can distinguish pure gold intellectual material and this lecture is worth its own title's 'Acres of Diamonds.'I was directed to this book by another book "12 Pillars - by Jim Rohn"I was Interested in Jim Rohn from the lavish praise of Tony Robbins and Darren Hardy.I was interested in Tony Robbins through an Interview with Frank Kern.I noticed Frank Kern when I was researching Marketing.I was interested in Marketing because I was interested in Ryan Holiday's work at American Apparel and his books on Stoicism.Ryan Holiday was brought to me by Robert Greene who wrote a testimonial for Ryan proclaiming him as his protege.I was interested in Robert Greene because I heard about his book "48 Laws of Power" in a negative context on a TV show back home. It was that interest that reminded me that I once loved reading books and it literally pulled me out of my miserable aimlessness and it felt like a line of hope worth tugging to be pulled out of a life in Hell.I encourage anyone who is looking for help in life to follow the rabbit down the rabbit hole of books. You are bound to find a way out of your situation no matter how dire it inside books. It's not like there's this one book that is earth shattering, or they call now a 'Quake Book', that you should seek. Rather, the accumulation of knowledge and ideas through the iteration of the same timeless wisdom written by many wise men over the course of history. You find yourself reading the same book from which you started your journey with a new set of eyes, you understand the meaning better, you absorb more wisdom from the same words as you find that reading more books helps lifting more layers of the veil of ignorance you were born into.I am grateful for reaching this book and getting the inspiration to reflect on how I've gotten here in a simple review through my Kindle App.I wish whoever you are a life of peace and the joy of finding meaning and purpose in your life.

This book re-emphasizes most of the truths documented in scripture but echoes these truths through carefully chosen storytelling of real life experiences. It's not bulky yet ful of precious jewels of universal principles. I definitely will read these again and again

If you read this book and it does not change your outlook on life and the goals in your life. Then you are missing the message in the wonderful book

Immortal wisdom of Dr. Conwell!!Napoleon Hill's books brought me to him, and I'm so thankful!

This book has been in circulation for a long time. Is has been liked and read by countless reader. It needs no introduction. It is useful for everyone and must to read.

I'll give my review in two parts. 1st part of the book. - I loved it. I read the first part of it within probably 2 days though it can easily be done in a few hours. I was transfixed to the pages and had some lol moments. Even if the book was written in the 19th Century and some of the language shows that, it's so relevant to today and gave me a huge boost to think of what I can do that is already around me, to bring me the life I desire. This is the reason I give 5 stars.2nd part of the book - For me, this was a bit of a drag. As much as I wanted to read it and I eventually did and finished it - it was a slow process. There was a marked difference from the first part. The autobiography's author doesn't share the same humour and writing skills as Dr. Conwell and it shows so clearly. But am glad I stuck with it, because it gives an insight into what kind of man Dr. Conwell was and his life experiences some of which are just awesome. Shows that success comes to any man as long as they put in the work. The research that went into this part of the book and the depth to which the author goes in showing us Dr. Conwell, the man, are what makes me give 5 stars.

This was a suggested book and it did not disappoint.