The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-01
TWO SYNODS HOLD
 ACTIVE SESSIONS All is Quiet After the Split in the United Church ADDRESS OF M. M. RUSSELL An Inspiring Plea for the Church In It's Hour of Darkness-"But Dan
 ieI Purposed In His
 Heart.s
ADDRESS OF M. M. RUSSELL

After the split in the united churches, which took place Tuesday night tue synods of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and the Presbyterian church ot the United States of America are rap idly getting their affairs readiusted and completing their respective organizations. The greater part of the day was taken up with routine business but the pro- gramme of the evening was of eXeep- tional interest.
 At the East Lake Southern Presbyterian church the united synod that is to saY' the synod of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America, opened with sxty-four members enrolled. The opening sermon was delivered by the Rev. N. D. Crawford of Bessemer, and was followed by the election of officers
 The Rev. w. B. Witherspoon of Hunts vile. for several years stated clerk Of the synod, was unanimously elected mod erator and the Rev. l.. B. Cross of Gas tonburg and R.. P. Taylor of Leeds were chosen to jointly fill the position of stat ed clerk, while the Rev. W. c. Denson became chairman of the press committee.
 In the afternoon Secretary J & Bridges of the Young Mems Christian association spoke to tho synod on Our Sunday School Work" and so interesting and in- structive was his talk that the discus sion which ensued took up all the remain der of the afternoon session.
 From 7:30 to 10 D. m. missionary meet ing was presided over by Mrs. l. D. Steele. secretary and treasurer of the state board of missions, and Mrs. l.. H. Jones of Newmarket delivered an address on "Heathen Claims and Christian Duty" which was a heart-stirring appeal for the foreign mission work of the church. A subscription of 80 was collected for the cause. This was followed with a tenn perance address by H. P. Farris of Mis- souri, who Is a worker of the permanent temperance committee of the church, and well informed on his subject.
 At the Cumberland synod, Judge John B. Talley of Scottsboro was called to act as temporary clerk, and after the roll call, M. M Russell of Attalla was elected moderator.
 lt ItN. T. I. JbllllSOn u west t1- nessee spoke twice during the day, first upon the injunction suit in his home state, and in the evening upon the future of the church.
 Christian Character.
 In the opening sermon on the subject Christian Character" Mir. Russell, the moderator of the Cumberland, spoke in part as follows
 Text: Daniel 1; &: But Daniel opposed in his heart" Acts 2O 24: But none of these things moved me-
 There is nothing more hurtful in the accomplishment of any work than a vacil- lating, wavering purpose. There is noth- ing which more surely insures success than a fixed. unwavering purpose. Daniel understood the human heart and human nature. Let us look at his surroundings. He was young man. He was a captive in the land of an enemy. He had every thing, seemingly, to discourage, and nothing to encourage l imagine such thoughts these ran through his mind: l was and am an Israelite-one of God S chosen people. ] have been taught that God will take care of His own. But He has not If He had wanted me for any purpose He could and would have pro tected me from my enemies He did not do this But He has suffered me to be taken captive and reduced to the eondi- ton of servitude. If He did not protect me before I fell into the hands of the enemy, why should I dream of protection now? By giving up these ideas of pro- lection by Israels God, which have proved to be nothing but beautiful dreams. I have an opportunity of coming into the favor of the King. I have been chosen among favored few to make prepara- ton to stand before the King. l am of fered every luxury of the Kings table, and all the advantages of the Kings court What shall I do?
 There is but one thing to do Make the best of the situation; take advantage of everything at hand. Make hard fight to gain the Kings favor. Then I will be in position to accomplish some thing.
 All this is during the first night in the Kings palace.
 For hours and hours these and many other thoughts rush through his mind. He tries to quiet his mind, but it will not quiet. The hours paas After awhile, wearied and dazed by this terrible strain. his mind turns back to scenes of h4s childhood. He sees a pious father and mother. He sees the faithful old Israelites as they gather in the Temple service. The old prophets stand before him.
 Then he "purposed in his heart. This settled it. He did not get enthused by the eloquence of the prophet, or entranced by the sweet music of song; but he went deeper into lfe's reality and fixed pur- pose there.
 Allow me to suggest that the standard of Christian character is wanting in pur- nose. There is too much of the protract ed meeting, summer time foundation un- der the Christian life. I thank God for the emotional side of human life. But the Christian who has no experience ex- cept his emotions, is but poorly fitted for his work.
 Great Need.
 The great need of the church today is for d more consistent membership. membership that lives the Christ life every day. She has hundreds of preachers who can preach eloquent sermons. She has thousands of officers who can make entertaining lectures and offer inspiring prayers She has many thousands of members who can sing and shout under the influence of these sermons, lectures and prayers. But, oh, how few, like Daniel in the quiet of their own lives have purposed in their hearts to live for God.
 That night when Daniel had his conflict, when he was thinking about home and loved ones. I imagine he cried, and maybe. as he thought about the temple service he shouted. 1 am glad God has given us the ability to cry and shout. But it was not these sad. sweet eXperi- enves that shaped His life and fixed Ills character. 1t was: But he purposed in his heart" There is the secret.
 Until there Is an enlightened conscience