The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-24
TEMPERANCE IS
 A HOUSING TOPIC BaptistS Hold Great Mass Meet
 ing at Sheffield STIRRING SPEECHES MADE Convention Endorses the Antl-Saloon Movement and Pledges IseIf to
 Work for Local
 Option Law.
g STIRRING SPEECHES MADE
BY E. R. NORMAN.

BY E. R. NORMAN.
 Sheffield. July 2s.-(special)-The most enthusiastic feature of the Baptist state convention. which has been In session in this city since Friday was the temper ance mass meeting this afternoon. Not withstanding the stormy weather. the church was filled to overnowing.
 The convention endorsed the anti-saloon movement amid great enthusiasm and pledged to work for the enactment of a local option law to regulate the sale of whisky in Alabama.
 Many prominent anti-saloon leaders ad- dressed the convention. The report of the temperance committee was read by Dr. O. F. Gregory of Montgomery and adopted by a unanimous vote. The re- port set forth statistics showing tho money expended annually for liquor. For whisky and it's accompanying evils over $3, ,450, GOO 900 were expended last year, said Dr. Gregory.
 The report endorsed the Anti-Saloon League of Alabama and strongly recom- mended that every Baptist in the state work for the passage of a local option law at the next session of the legislature. The report favored bill that would safe guard the counties in the state that are already dry. Dr. Gregory made strong appeal for temperance, urging the Bap- lists to fight vigorously for the anti-sa- loon movement He reviewed the fight that is in progress at Montgomery and l U,ao of Montgomery, who has taken such a firm stand for Sunday observance. | Dr. S. E. Wasson, pastor of the First Methodist church at Decatur and acting | superintendent Of the Alabama Anti-Sa- loon league, addressed the convention. He recounted the conditions in the state and pointed out the obstacles that the move ment would confront.
 eIn Alabama" said Dr. Wasson, there are 1515 dealers who pay government license to sell whisky, whereas there are only 6l6 dealers who pay state license. The Christian people" he said, ''are running this state. The new con- stitution has placed the ballot in the hands of the righteous men. They are sure to rise up in their power and might and stamp out all evils and wrong do- | ing"
 pr. Wasson Speaks.
 Dr. E. w. Young of Columbus O., na- tional superintendent of the Anti-Saloon league, addressed the convention. The anti-saloon movement said the speaker, lis barely seven years old, but it has swept forty states in the Union and is growing at a stupendous rate" In con clusion he urged the promoters of the Anti-Saloon league to fight for local option law. Let every delegate to this convention become a center of agitation until the people of this state get control of the liquor traffic." said Dr. Young. It was decided to appoint five delegates to the next national convention of the Anti-Saloon league. The convention will complete its work and adjourn tomor- row afternoon at o'clock.
 At the morning and evening services today the pulpits of the churches of the Ir-cities of the Tennessee valley were filled by the visiting Baptist preachers. Convention Notes.
 Every paper in Sheffield sot out con vention editions this week. Whole pages were devoted to write-ups on the con- vention double-leaded editorials, wecolm- Ing the QelGRdIeS lO lUt lIi-CtiicS. Every church in this section of the state was turned over to Baptist preachers to- day. and 1t was a Baptist day in every re- spect.
 The Birmingham district Is well repre- sented in the convention, there being as many delegates from that part of the state as from any other.
 The handsome new First Baptist church of Sheffield, where the sessions are being held, was recently built at cost of SSoO0. Ii has seating capacity of about five or six hundred.
 From the time the convention was called tc order 1t was seen that Howard college was to have the right of way. The dis cussion of Howard was made special or der for Saturday morning, and the cli- max of the proceedings was an eloquent appeal by President Montague. The en- dowment plan went through with rush, the like of which has never been seen in an Alabama Baptist convention.
 Dr. Montague is perhaps the happiest man in the state. having seen the reali- zaton of his fondest dreams.
 Dr. Edgar F. Folk of Nashville, editor of the Baptist and Reflector. Is one of the chief figures of the convention. He is brother of Governor Folk of Missouri. and is much like the popular destroyer of boodlers
 Dr. Folk takes a live interest in religi- ous and political affairs. He was sche- duled to make speech at the temper ance mass meeting.
 Dr. W. B. Crumpton. known as the Bishop" of the Alabama Bapists. is one of the most popular visitors in the Tri- cities.
 The report of the Baptist orphanage at Evergreen showed that there were a total Of 10S children in the home, forty-one were enrolled during the year and thrty-six have gone out from the home by adop- tion and consent this year.
 The home was established twelve years ago. During that time BIO orphans have been cared for by the authorities. The property is valued at s35.000, and Is owned by the state convention. The property consist of eighty acres of land and four substantial brick buildings One of these was donated by G. c. H. Scott of Mont