The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-11
WELCOME TO MIR. COX
INTERESTING PROGRAM OF ExER-
 CIsES LAST NIGHT.
New Minister of Dexter Avenue Meth- odfst Church Greeted by His Montgomery COngregatiOn--
 Several Happy Speeches.

A hearty and sincere welcome was rendered Rev. W. M. Cox, formerly of
 ister to the Dexter Avenue Methodist Church by the congregation of that church at o'clock last night when an interesting program of exercises was carried out in one of the most enjoyable entertainments of like character given in Montgomery in some time. Mir. Cox had been in Montgomery about three weeks and knew only a small part of his congregation, so the Ladies Aid Society and the Epworth League decided to hold an informal re- ception In the church, so that the new pastor might meet and know all the ! members of the Dexter Avenue Church. The auditorium of the handsome edi- flee was well filled last night when the l services began by an introductory speech by M. NJ. Sweatt, who explain ed to the congregation in a few words the nature of the meeting and said that the reception would have been held earlier except for unavoidable delays He said that the welfare of the church depended on the love and affection of congregation for Its pastor and he COX and make 1t point to know him better in the future.
 He said that the church had been un- divided in the call rendered to Mir Cox and that he should be most welcome to every member of the congregation. Before introducing Dr. Cox, MT. Sweatt called on Rev. NJ. H. Holt, Pre- siding Elder of the Montgomery Dis trict, to lead in prayer. Mir. Holt de- livered an eloquent prayer in which he beseeched Almighty God to keep His watch over the pastor and congregation of the Dexter Avenue Church and al- low the church to prosper in the future as 1t had in the past.
 Crawford T. Ruff then made a brief appropriate speech introducing MT Cox. He said that the welcome of the Q xaya nof Cfr1 aVaI InE it was their wish to give him proof of 1t. He said that they wanted him to call on them for anything he wished as they would also call on him in their time of need,
 We give you a hearty welcome" he concluded, "and we want you to feel at home among us"
 In strong and fluent style MT. Cox addressed the congregation. He said that he naturally appreciated the well come with which he was received in Montgomery and felt that he was going to be pleased with his charge. He meant to do the best he could and if the church members would give him their earnest sympathy and co-opera- ton, he thought the church would pros per. The men who had stood by the church during it's period of debt and financial trouble, he said, he admired and hoped that within a short while the church would be freed of all worry of this nature.
 A Soio Dy E1uBn otudTtt ZOu IS Wltn Us" was rendered in fine voice and was much enjoyed.
 Selections by an orchestra finished out the program of the welcoming ser vices with the intermingling of several hymns by the congregation.
 After the program of exercises had been completed, refreshments were served in the Sunday School room and a large number of the congregation en- 1oyed the dainties prepared and met in an informal way the new minister of fhe church