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«% Fit W hX’Mkr w UliWllbWTi Ft TjUSwS' VOL. HE HELPS PLUCKY BOYS TO START UPWARD INSPIRING LIFE-STORY OF B. B. COFFEY, WHO HAS COME “UP FROM THE RANKS” TO THE PRESIDENCY OF THE GREAT SOUTHWESTERN PUBLISHING CO.—A STUDENT ’S ELOQUENT TRIBUTE TO THE MAN WHO STARTED HIM ON UPWARD WAY F the man who “makes two grass blades grow where he found one growing be fore” is a real benefactor of his time, then the man who can dig up the shin- gr ing jewels of battle and purpose in the heart of a worthy but discouraged school boy, and help him to believe afresh in God and human ity and in the marvelous possibilities of self help and educational victory—that man, Is a y, is a tonic to tired souls, a necessity to civiliza tion and a positive benediction to humanity 1 Touching mankind at many different angles, I am always looking for such men and “glad I be” when I find one. I know the product. It doesn’t take me long to recognize the elec tric thrill when I get in touch with the battery. And Coffey is an Inspiration. I found such a man not long ago in Nash ville. Going to “Princely Paris,” Tenn., on a lecture trip, I stopped a few hours in Nash ville and found myself invited to address a stalwart class of summer student workers in the assembly room of the famous Southwest ern Publishing Company—that company which put out the unique books of the illustrous Dr. George A. Lofton and which has done to help struggling students get on their feet, push on through college and succeed in the world than any other agency in the South or perhaps in America. I saw that B. B. Coffey, while-clear as a bell on all points of business, was far more than “Mr. Strictly Business” —he is the center- of the great “solar system,” and around him his hundreds of workers in his offices at Nash ville, Macon, Waco and Kansas City and far out on the busy field revolve around him in ■»ov and love and life “like satellites aiount. the sun. ’ ’ From “Old Mississippi.” I determined at once to give a brief story of the life of this great constructive friend of youth for the inspiration -of the readers of The Golden Age. Reared in North Mississippi, “far from the maddening crowds ignoble strife,” back where when one attended a “party” he had to sit on his hat if he didn’t want to lose it, Mr. Coffey was deprived of a father’s guidance very early, but not too early to store up in his mind some of the impressions that took hold of him and erystalized a purpose as fixed as life itself, ATLANTA, GA., MAY 29, 1913 By WILLIAM D. UPSHAW, Editor. and when you add to such a purpose the inspi ration and prayerful interest of a saintly moth er, something must happen in that boy’s life. On account of a plentitude of adversities, he did not begin his struggle for an education until he had reached his majority. His efforts against great odds to secure an education did the work —well, suffice it to say that when a young man sits down in front of this man and begins with, “I would like to, but don’t think Hr sKk. gs ' MSB? . jjf|r ■ B Was ' I REV. B. B. COFFEY. I can,” Mr Coffey gently tells him a few things out of his own experience and the fel low soon feels like going out with both hands tied and tackling a Mexican bull! Soon after leaving college, young Coffey made the acquaintance of a young man selling books for the purpose of maintaining himself in college. Mr Coffey readily saw the good to be accomplished, the opportunity to plucky young men, and the unlimited possibilities of the subscription book business, not only in helping students get an education, but in put' ting wholesome literature in homes. With his characteristic energy, he began a house to house canvass. His results were com mensurate with his efforts and he rose steadily. In a few years he was made manager—mana ger of “The Southwestern,” the. com pany of its kind in this country. What Coffey Believes. “My success is due largely to my unbound ed faith in the results of hard work and my confidence in others to do what I have done.” That is the way B. B. Coffey puts it. Speaking to the writer of his love for his work, the great-hearted friend of youth said: “The merit of the publications and the meth ods employed by my company make the oppor tunity for securing the means to attend col lege, within the reach of any deserving young man. I positively love the task of setting a young fellow on fire and seeing him gradually unfold to a full realization of his own powers and his worthy ambition.” A Student's Grateful Tribute. Meeting in Nashville Mr. Bebe Boswell, now a field manager whom Mr. Coffey “discover ed” and developed, I urged him to write me a little story of how B. B. Coffey found him and inspired him to his present success. And snatching the time from his hustling band of student workers in South Georgia, he wrote the following glowing tribute to his “discoverer” and brother-benefactor: “The Influence of B. B. Coffey Upon My Life.” While a student in Peabody College at Nash ville, Tenn., it became necessary for me to look for employment during the vacation in order to get back to school. This was the occasion of my calling at the offices of the Southwest ern Company and meeting Mr. Coffey, who had recently became president. It was in his private office that I first met him, and I shall never forget his cordial greet ing. He impressed me at once as a friend to young men. He seemed to understand me, appreciate my situation and had faith in my efforts. He showed me the opportunities of the book business, going into every necessary de tail. He emphasized the advantages the work offered college men in travel, visits of historic places, and study of human nature —the bene (Continued on page 6.) ONE DOLLAR AND FIFTY CBNTB A YEAR :: FIVE CENTS A COPT