I wish to impress upon my young reader that Garfield was indebted for what he became to earnest work.
While upon the subject of public speaking I am naturally led to speak of young Garfield's religious associations.

His mind has already been impressed with the importance of the religious element, and he felt that no life would be complete without it.

He had joined the Church of the Disciples, the same to which his uncle belonged, and was baptized in a little stream that runs into the Chagrin River.

The creed of this class of religious believers is one likely to commend itself in most respects to the general company of Christians; but as this volume is designed to steer clear of sect or party, I do not hold any further reference to it necessary.

What concerns us more is, that young Garfield, in accordance with the liberal usages of the Disciples, was invited on frequent occasions to officiate as a lay preacher in the absence of the regular pastor of the Church of the Disciples at Hiram.
Though often officiating as a preacher, I do not find that young Garfield ever had the ministry in view.