Big Speech, Small Impact

One hot, sweltering night, Mark Twain went to a church in Hartford to hear the annual report of Mr. Hawley. He was the city missionary who funded those who needed help but didn’t want to ask for it.

Hawley began his speech by telling about the life of cellars, where poverty resided; he gave instances of the heroism and devotion of the poor. “When a man with millions gives,” he said, “We make a great deal of noise. It’s noise in the wrong place, for it’s the widow’s mite that counts.”

Hawley had worked Twain up to a great pitch. Twain could hardly wait for Hawley to finish his speech. He had $400 in his pocket. He wanted to give all of it and more. The rest of the audience, like Twain, was visibly sympathetic and inspired. They were all eager to contribute. But instead of passing the plate to the crowd right then, Hawley kept on talking