8 Sermon Illustrations on Leadership

During the Revolution, a commander of a little squad was giving orders relative to a stick of timber they were endeavoring to raise to the top of some military works. The timber went up hard; and, on this account, the voice of the commander was often heard in regular vociferations of "Heave away!" "There she goes!" "Heave ho!" An officer, not in military costume, was passing, and asked the commander why he did not take hold and help a little. The latter, astonished, said, "Sir, I am a corporal!"—"You are, are you?" replied the officer: "I was not aware of that." Upon this he dismounted, and lifted till the sweat stood in drops on his forehead; and when finished turning to the commander, he said, "Mr. Corporal, when you have another such job, and have not men enough, send for your commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you a second time." The corporal was thunder struck. It was Gen. Washington.

Moses Stuart was pastor in New Haven when he was nominated for the Professorship of Sacred Literature in Andover Theological Seminary. Rev. Dr. Samuel Spring of Newburyport visited New Haven to make inquiries touching the candidate. Among others whom he interrogated relative to the qualifications of Mr. Stuart was Pres. Dwight. "He is the very man for the place," said Pres. Dwight; "but we cannot spare him." — "Sir," responded Dr. Spring, "we do not want a man that can be spared."

Life of Dr. Spring.

It was the custom of Peter the Great to visit the different workshops and manufactories, not only to encourage them, but also to judge what other useful establishments might be formed in his dominions. Among the places he visited frequently, were the forges of Muller, at Istia, ninety versts from Moscow.—The Czar once passed a whole month there; during which time, after giving due attention to the affairs of state, which he never neglected, he amused himself with seeing and examining every thing in the most minute manner, and even employed himself in learning the business of a blacksmith. He succeeded so well, that on one of the last days of his remaining there, he forged eighteen poods of iron, and put his own particular mark on each bar. The boyars and other noblemen of his suite were employed in blowing the bellows, stirring the fire, carrying coals, and performing the other duties of a blacksmith's assistant. When Peter had finished, he went to the proprietor, praised his manufactory, and asked him how much he gave his workmen per pood. "Three kopecks, or an altina," answered Muller. "Very well," replied the Czar; "I have then earned eighteen altinas." Muller brought eighteen ducats, offered them to Peter, and told him that he could not give a workman like his majesty less per pood. Peter refused. "Keep your ducats," said he; "I have not wrought better than any other man; give me what you would give to another; I want to buy a pair of shoes, of which I am in great need." At the same time he showed him his shoes, which had been once mended, and were again full of holes. Peter accepted the eighteen altinas, and bought himself a pair of new shoes, which he used to show with much pleasure, saying,— "These I earned with the sweat of my brow."

One of the bars of iron forged by Peter the Great, and authenticated by his mark, is still to be seen at Istia, in the forge of Muller. Another similar bar is preserved in the cabinet of curiosities at St. Petersburg.

Peter the Great frequently surprised the magistrates by his unexpected presence in the cities of the empire. Having arrived without previous his hat and bowing, "I ask your pardon, Mr. Corporal." Upon this he dismounted, and lifted till the sweat stood in drops on his forehead. And when finished, turning to the commander, he said, "Mr. Corporal, when you have another such job, and have not men enough, send for your Commander-in-Chief, and I will come and help you a second time." The corporal was thunderstruck! It was Washington.