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THREE MIGHTY MEN

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 16, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 49.

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THREE MIGHTY MEN.

I RECALLED the incident a few days ago, says a writer in the New York World, as I sat in Trinity listening to Phillips Brooks' noon-time talks. It happened in the spring of 1883. The four of us had gone to Europe together—Dr. McVickar, of Philadelphia, Phillips Brooks, and Mr. Robinson, the builder of Boston's Trinity Church. Robinson stands six feet two inches in his stockings, Dr. McVickar measures six feet four inches, and Dr. Brooks exceeds six feet in height. Robinson is sensitive about his length, and suggested that in order to shun comment the three tall men avoid being seen together. Arriving in England, they went direct to Leeds, where they learned that a lecturer would address the working classes on "America and Americans."
Anxious to hear what Englishmen thought of the great republic, they went to the hall. They entered separately, and took seats apart. The lecturer, after some uninteresting remarks, said that Americans were, as a rule, short, and seldom if ever rose to the height of five feet ten inches. He did not know to what cause he could attribute this fact, but he wished he could present examples to the audience. Phillips Brooks rose to his feet and said: "I am an American, and, as you see, about six feet in height, and sincerely hope that if there be any other representative of my country present, he will rise."
After a moment's interval Mr. Robinson rose and said: "I am from America, in which country my height—six feet two—is the subject of no remark. If there be any other American here I hope that he will rise." The house was in a jolly humor. Waiting until the excitement could abate in some degree, and the lecturer regain control of his shattered nerves, Dr. McVickar slowly drew his majestic form to its full height, and exclaimed, "I am an"—but he could go no further. The audience roared, and the lecturer said no more on that subject.—Selected.