Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-05-22
WITH OUTSTRETCHED ARMS
Birmingham Welcomed the
Commissioners Last Night.
WORDS FROM THE HEART
Splendid Speeches by the Pastor, DR.. Handley
and the Mayor-Eloquent Responses.
SOUTHERN PRESBYTERlANS IN SESSION
At Memphis-Dr. Mallard of New Orleans
Elected Moderator-Church Statistics
ofInterest-The Northern Meth
odists Nearly Through.
SOUTHERN PRESBYTERIANS IN SESSION

The Cumberland Presbyterian local
church is to be congratulated on the de-
lightful music that they are furnishing
on the assembly occasion by choir and
orchestra
Rev. ]. M. Halsell of Houston, Tex,
presided last evening. Mrs. ]. C. Foster
of Nashville favored the audience with
another excellent solo. She has the de-
lightful faculty of giving the audience
the benefit of knowing what she is sing
ing.
Rev. R. D. Wear the pastor of the Bir-
mingham Cumberland Presbyterian
church, delivered the address of welcome
to the assembly on the part of his church
He expressed himself as delighted
above the conception of his brethren with
the honor of having the assembly meet
ing with him. He said he believed in
honoring the living and not waiting I'M
til the people died to heap flowers on the
ashes of heroes
He spoke in highest eulogy of the many
heroes counted in his church.
Rev. DR.. Handley of the Central Pres
byterlan church welcomed the assembly
In behalf of the churches and the Chris
tan people of the city. Rev. Mr. Wear,
In introducing Dr. Handley, said he and
Or. Handley had corner on the devil
on Fifth avenue and Nineteenth street.
Or. Handley said he was indeed glad to
welcome these brethren, not only be-
cause he expected help from some of
them on this occasion, but because he
was really glad to see Them Dr. Handley
spoke of the many resources and adj
vantages Of this mineral city. The kind
OF Christianity in Birmingham is illus
trated by the heroism of the builders of
the church you are now in. He welcomed
the assembly to the homes, churches and
pulpits of the city-expressed himself
as FEELING stronger for the presence of
these Christian workers. He welcomed
the brethren to everything except the
wives and children of the city, but limited
that If any of the young preachers and
elders are looking for wives they might
find their fortune here. He spoke of the
young men of Birmingham in highest
terms.
Mayor VanHoose was introduced by
Rev. Mr.. Wear with great intrepidity,
he said, because he was sure the major
would turn his (Wear's) speech into ridi-
Guile. The mayor protested against being
called a major" for he said the yankees
got him before he got to the major s
place. He expressed himself as being
shorn of his flights of oratory by the
speeches of his fellow citizens. Mr.. Wear
and DR.. Handley. He confessed himself
as being often called upon to address as
semblages, but none claimed of him high
er appreciation than the body whom he
now faced, because of what you stand
for" If there is anything that dis
tinguishes this city it is the welcome that
they hold out to people.
In regard to the personnel of this as
semblage, If the reception and allotment
committees have sent into all these
homes two such men in heart, intellect
and culture as they have sent into mine,
L am satisfied perfectly as to the high
character of your men.
nf oj
seminary at Lebanon. Tenn, was the first
speaker to respond to the addresses of
welcome in behalf Of the assembly.
Mr.. Stephens referred to being present
at Meridian, Miss, last year when the
hearty invitation from the pastor and
mayor came for the assembly to meet in
this city, In this invitation many things
had been promised, but he finds that all
the promises have been more than real
lied. Mr.. Wear had said year ago:
when you meet here we will have a fine
new church for you to meet in" II heard
this with a great deal of Incredibly"
said Mr. Stephens, but you see how
magnificently he has kept his promise
by furnishing US with this perfectly beau
tiful structure-an honor to the city and
the people who built it,"
Rev. Charles Manton thought they had
received a warm welcome if anything was
indicated by their perspiring browS. he
expressed himself as surprised at what
had arisen in business, homes, churches
and other enterprises where twenty-five
years ago there was an old field with one
lone house upon 1t. He said: I'VE have
heard the din of your machinery and
have seen the smoke of your manufacto-
ries. We have heard of your tons of min
eral ore and coal wealth, but far greater
is the magnificence of the power you are
exertng on the hearts of men-changing
them from the darkness of sin to the
purity of life and whiteness of character
in Christ Jesus"
Rev. Hugh Spencer Williams of Mem
phis, Tenn, spoke further in response to
the splendid words of welcome. He said
there was something in the spirit of the
speeches which touched the hearts of us
all. He congratulated the city on having
such a mayor, saying 1t was positive
proof of the character of the people in
the CITY,. He also congratulated the may
or on having such constituency. He
thought, though, there may be some peo-
pie here who are not what they ought to
be, and seemed to think that the preach
ers, churches and policemen will not soon
go out of business. He offered congratu-
lations upon the progress of the city, her
beautiful homes, and especially of the re-
ligious sentiments of the citys people.
He was proud of a mayor that appre-
ciates the power of the church to do more
for city than the doubling of the police
force.
May the great head of the church make
every delegate In every home true rep
resentative of the Christ and be bless
ing in every home where we stay, were
his closing words.
The assembly adjourned until $50
o'clock this morning after the welcome
addresses were delivered. Dr. d. M. Har-
ris of ST. Louis, Mo-, led the closing
prayer
TODAYS SESSION.
The business will begin In earnest this
morning. when the various committees
will be announced. and a. great many