The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-22

witherspoon, chairman; w. M. Cosby treasurer; I. D. Steele, c. L.. Nolan an6 George L. Waller The motto of tht committee which is printed on its letter head is: "A self-supporting congregation at Montgomery with handsome house o1 worship within five years"
 Rev. Walter M. Crawford who has been sent here from Petersburg; Tenn, to have charge of the congregation and of the building movement is a young man. He was born in Bedford County, Tenn, October Il, 1868. His grandfather, father and three uncles were Cumberland Pres byterian ministers. His father and two uncles still live. His father is a success full pastor-evangelist in Tennessee. His uncle, Rev. G. D. Crawford has a flourishing church in Chicago His uncle, Rev. R. s. Crawford, while 76 years old is preaching in Texas
 Rev. W. M. Crawford having completed his course in the free schools went to Winchester Tenn. and continued there two years in school. In 1891 he entered Cumberland University, Lebanon. Tenn., and after three years was graduated from the literary department receiving the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts. He then en- tered the theological department of the same university and received the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in 1896. Before he completed his course at Lebanon he was called to the pastorate of the Peters burg congregation. He accepted the call and remained in this pastorate, preaching at Petersburg and New Unity, until there came an urgent call from the Ala bama Synod to take charge of the Mont gomery mission. He had received flat tering calls every year since he had been at Petersburg and when the call came for him to take charge of the Mont gomery mission, while he had received more fiattering calls to more inviting fields. he says he felt he was directed in accepting the call to come to Montgom- cry Tn addition to Mir. Crawfords pas toral work he has spent as much as three months in each year in revival work. These meetings have been crowned with success. During his campaign in 1900 there were 30i persons added to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
 MT. Crawford married Miss Maud Fay Tor on November SOth. 1S9t They live at Clayton Park.
 Speaking of the work of Mir. Crawford at Petersburg. Tenn, The Cumberland Presbyterian; the organ of the church of that name says: 70 p ..s
 For about seven years the church at Petersburg has enjoyed the services of Rev Walter, M. Crawofrd. The member ship of the church has steadily increased and it's influence has not been excelled by any congregation within the bounds of the presbytery. All the enterprises of our denomination have received prompt atten- tion Brother Crawfords salary has in creased from $20O the first year to $500 the past year, for half of his time. A manse has been built in which. as a church, we feel a pardonable pride.
 MT Crawford has accepted the call of the Alabama synod to the Montgom- cry mission and will go to that work in October To our sister synod we would say: We do not give up our pastor to you because we are tired of him: neither do we believe he leaves us because he is no longer interested in us. but knowing that missions is the dearest theme Of his life and believing that God both calls the worker and prepares the field, we with human sadness. but Christian submission bid him a fearful God sped and cengratu- late you in advance upon the services of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in your Capital City"