The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-04
WARM WORDS OF WELCOME
TO THE VISITING DELEGATES
Continued from Eighth Pase.)


few years was insufficient to accommo-
date the multitudes. and promptly gave
place to the edifice in which we are now
assembled.
Since the completion of this church the
hive has swarmed three times in the
past four years. and has given out
membership sufficient to found three new
churches. the aggregate number of which
membership Is more than 1000, with two
church houses complete. and another I'M
der way the aggregate cost of all of
which will amount to $4,000
Less than thirty years ago the Metho-
dist church in greater Birmingham had
less than 1000 members. Today 1t has 49,,
Co., 1t owned less than $4,000 worth of
property; today 100000 represents its
property ownership. 1t paid to the sup
port of the ministry less than $2000-last
year 1t paid about $4,000.
The Jones valley circuit of 1929 is now
one district with thirty charges adj
iacent to five other districts of the North
Alabama conference.
And now, Mr.. President, while we re-
port statistics and values represented by
Methodsm In this city, we would not
fail to mention other denominations
which have made progress commensur-
ate with the growth and prosperity of
our young and growing city,
In the name of all the people we call
Methodsts in the city of Birmingham.
and in the name of all other denomina-
lions which have generously opened their
doors and put their churches at your dis
posal, we extend to you the hand of
Christian greeting. and bid you well
come.
on behalf of the local committee
need not say they extend you cordial
greeting. With tireless energy and I'M
abated zeal they have been receiving
you for more than six months, and now
rejoice that you are In our midst and
are eager and anxious to render you
every comfort and convenience in their
power to make your stay one of pleas
ure and good works. In Gods name we
bid you welcome. thrice welcome to our
city.
Bishop Hendrix Responds.
Bishop f. r. Hendrix was the last
speaker of the evening, making the re-
Spouse in behalf of the bishops and dele
gates to the general conference. Tho
audience was in good humor throughout
He said in part;
at gives me the greatest pleasure on
behalf of the bishops and Of the delegates
in accepting the welcome you have so
graciously rendered him. 1t has been quite
a conundrum here on the platform to-
night as to which of the bishops should
make this response. 1t has been passed
back and forth until like the lady who
finally married the man because she got
tired of saying no, | finally consented to
speak in sheer desperation.
II want to congratulate Alabama on
having produced such great bishops as
William NJ Weightman and Robert ].
Hargrove. Some time in the future. per-
haps the lightning may strike again. "a
yociferous Amen from the audience
caused much laughter.)
Il was particularly struck by the words
of your honored governor. When he said
here tonight that Christianity meant so
much for this state l was reminded that
after all 1t is the flag that follows the
cross.
Your prosperity depends not upon
your natural resources but what your peo-
pie cherish most. Your honored governor
has spoken nobly in saying that Chris
tianity and the law should stand close
together
The meeting was closed by the singing
of the doxology.