The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-21

layman's dream, and the Students Vol unteer Movement. the Young Mems Christian Association born into being from the ideas of George Williams, Of Montreal. Attention was called to the work of General Booth in his Salvation. Army and the work which 1t is ac- complaining in the ranks of the poor of the country. ~
 Judge Thomas then gave some &C., curate figures relative to shA great movements now on feet and told of the natural grnw.n of the Laymen's M!=ss..c--aSy Movement. Judge Thomas concluded his remarks with the state ment:
 "In the name of the marvellous work of the Layman Movements of the past, we welcome this Layman's Movement to Alabama and to Montgomery and to the Court Street Methodist Church..
 The choir of the church. then sung an anthem. After the anthem Chair man Barnett introduced the next speaker on the program with the words: T will now introduce broth CT who will respond to an address of welcome, and who is also in love with all branches of church work, especial ly this movement. pr. W. B. Watkins. of Opelika."
 Dr. watkins said in part:
 "It is with a good deal of pleasure that I have listened to the array of facts and figures as presented by Judge Thomas. going to show what we have accomplished in the past and what we will accomplish in the future. We are glad to look around and see the pros- perity of this city of Montgomery. Montgomery has a way of reaching out her hand and grasping what she sees."
 Dr. Watkins then cited some of the things which the city has grasped, mentioning the Methodist College among them, He called attention to the important work which the Chris tian church of today has mapped out for itself in the complete evangeiiza- tion of the world.
 "If we fall in this work we will be the losers and we will be held not blameless at the Great Accounting"
 Dr. Watkins then put the question as to whether the laity of the church had been equal to the task which de- voIved upon it, and answered the ques- tion by saying: If we would be hon. est with ourselves, we must say that we have not"
 He then entered into the reasons as to why the laity had not discharged the duties which naturally devolved upon it. He called attention to the fact that the laity demanded results, and he entered strong protest against any hair splitting doctrinal questions which might arise. saying that he wished to make an earnest appeal for the preaching of Jesus and his love for man.
 "The iaity asks for results" said pr. Watkins ln conclusion. "and if questions are presented properly to the laity, the mass of men who are mem bers of the various churches will quick iy respond, thank Judge Thomas for his welcome to Montgomery.
 After a hymn. Chairman Barnett said. We are fortunate in having with us one who has been leader in every department of church work. A man who Is very busy with the worlds business. and yet man who has found the time to be present here tonight to speak on this great movement" He spoke of the work which this person had done in the interest of the Sunday Schools of the South. "He was in the beginning of this Laymen's Movement and when we looked about for A pres.1 ident for the Southern district we'chose him. He will now tell us all about this vast undertaking-Dr. Pepper of
 T want you to put up a prayer that this will not be a fruitiess meeting" said Dr. Pepper in opening his ad- dress. q come because hope I may be of some service to you. This move ment is very little known to you and I am going to tell you of the prac- tical things which 1t seeks Go accom-" plish.
 Tt was not long ago that went into the Bible Society rooms of London. I wanted to see one certain Bible. knew that would see many others, but I wished to see q particular one. It was Mary Jones's Bible, the book that caused the beginning of this great for the distribution of Bi- bles to ali.
 Mary Jones saving her money for six years and walking for twenty-five miles each way that she might buy Bible for her family.
 Mir. Pepper told of the work of es. tablishing the Sunday School and the power which 1t yields at the present day He told of the ,uncovering of certain ancient city fifty feet below the surface which no one on top knew the great force which the church pos sesses and which nothing has been known for ages, something just being discovered, the laity of the church.
 Mir. Pepper then gave some reasons why the laity had not been put to work to exercise it's great powers be- fore, saying first that they had not been asked. Tt ought to be- true" said Mir. Pepper, "that when a man joins the church he should volunteer for active service. but few of us are there that do so. Only onesman in four ever does anything at all"
 Suppose" said Mir. Pepper in illus- trating his point. that in digging the Panama Canal every three men in four would say they would not work but two hours per week. How long do you think it would take to dig the great canal? It is the same in the church." This lack of work was de- clared not to be the fault of the pas- tors.
 The second reason given was lack of campaign work. A persistent, con- tinuous campaign of service has not been laid upon the membership of the church.
 The third reason given was that the Iaity had not recognized the Christian which they assumed in becoming members of church. We need a contribution of personal ser vice and this is the object of this Lay mems Movement" The reason that lodges were so attractive to most men the speaker declared. was because ev- cry man had some active work to do. ,rhAre was something more than a pay ing of the dues to the organization.
 The fourth reason was given as lack of system in giving service and also in giving substance. T think that | hoth should be systematized. Tn this l movement we hope to do this"