The Story of Grenfell of the Labrador | Page 5

of rain and wind in his face.
He rebelled at the thought of engaging in any profession that would rob
him of the open sky. But he also demanded that the profession he

should choose should be one of creative work. This would be necessary
if his life were to be happy and successful.
Observing the old doctor jogging along the country roads visiting his
far-scattered patients, it occurred to Grenfell that here was not only a
pleasant but a useful profession. With his knowledge of medicine the
doctor assisted nature in restoring people to health. Man must have a
well body if he would be happy and useful. Without a well body man's
hands would be idle and his brain dull. Only healthy men could invent
and build and administer. It was the doctor's job to keep them fit. Here
then was creative work of the highest kind! The thought thrilled him!
Every boy of the right sort yearns to be of the greatest possible use in
the world. Unselfishness is a natural instinct. Boys are not born selfish.
They grow selfish because of association or training, and because they
see others about them practicing selfishness. Grenfell's whole training
had been toward unselfishness and usefulness. Here was a life calling
that promised both unselfish and useful service and at the same time
would gratify his desire to be a great deal out of doors, and he decided
at once that he would study medicine and be a doctor.
His father was pleased with the decision. His course at Marlborough
College was completed, and he immediately took special work
preparatory to entering London Hospital and University.
In the University he did well. He passed his examinations creditably at
the College of Physicians and Surgeons and at London University, and
had time to take a most active part in the University athletics as a
member of various 'Varsity teams. At one time or another he was
secretary of the cricket, football and rowing clubs, and he took part in
several famous championship games, and during one term that he was
in residence at Oxford University he played on the University football
team.
One evening in 1885 Grenfell, largely through curiosity, dropped into a
tent where evangelistic meetings were in progress. The evangelists
conducting the meeting happened to be the then famous D.L. Moody
and Ira D. Sankey. Both Mr. Moody and Mr. Sankey were men of

marvelous power and magnetism. Moody was big, wholesome and
practical. He preached a religion of smiles and happiness and
helpfulness. He lived what he preached. There was no humbug or
hypocrisy in him. Sankey never had a peer as a leader of mass singing.
Moody was announcing a hymn when Grenfell entered. Sankey, in his
illimitable style, struck up the music. In a moment the vast audience
was singing as Grenfell had never heard an audience sing before. After
the hymn Moody spoke. Grenfell told me once that that sermon
changed his whole outlook upon life. He realized that he was a
Christian in name only and not in fact. His religious life was a fraud.
There and then he determined that he must be either an out and out
Christian or honestly renounce Christianity. With his home training and
teachings he could not do the latter. He decided upon a Christian life.
He would do nothing as a doctor that he could not do with a clear
conscience as a Christian gentleman. This he also decided: a man's
religion is something for him to be proud of and any one ashamed to
acknowledge the faith of his fathers is a moral coward, and a moral
coward is more contemptible than a physical coward. He also was
convinced that a boy or man afraid or ashamed to acknowledge his
religious belief could only be a mental weakling.
It was characteristic of Grenfell that whatever he attempted to do he did
with courage and enthusiasm. He never was a slacker. The hospital to
which he was attached was situated in the centre of the worst slums of
London. It occurred to him that he might help the boys, and he secured
a room, fitted it up as a gymnasium, and established a sort of boys' club,
where on Sundays he held a Bible study class and where he gave the
boys physical work on Saturdays. There was no Y.M.C.A. in England
at that time where they could enjoy these privileges. In the beginning,
there were young thugs who attempted to make trouble. He simply
pitched them out, and in the end they were glad enough to return and
behave themselves.
Grenfell and his brother, with one of their friends, spent the long
holidays when college was closed cruising along the coast in an old
fishing smack which they