The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-26
PREsRYTERIAN MELTING.
Many Laymen VIII Assemble in Bir-
 mlngham,

mlngham.
 Birmingham. Dec. 25.--tSpecial.) -- Local committees are at work on the preparations for the entertainment of the first general convention of the Lay mems Missionary Movement of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. will be held in Birmingham February 16-lS. 1909.
 The following Is one of the first circulars issued:
 There is a great uphea1als of na- tions on today. The Far East is thor oughly aroused out of the slunnber of ages. This means opportunity Japan, China, Russia. Persia, even Turkey, are changing to constitutional mon archies. This means religious free dom. Doors are opening to the gospel the world around. The open door Is a challenge to the church.
 Ion this side of the waters there is an unprecedented awakening which is not less noteworthy. The men of the church are beginning to realize, that the business of the church is to con- quer the world for Christ, Is 6 task which all alike are obligated--men in- cluded. Great assemblies of men, some of them mum bering Into the thou sands, have met in the past year or two in Omaha, Philadelphia, Chatta- nooga. New York and other cities. for the purpose of considering the ohliga- tion of men with reference to the evan gelization of the world. This is most significant.
 The genius of this modern uprising of men Is embodied In the Laymen's s Missionary Movement, which was launched in New York city in Novem- her. 1908. by group of representative business men. It's aim is to band to- gether the men of the Protestant church for the purpose of sending the gospel to the non-christian world in our lifetime, as in all conscience we ought to do.
 The movement is not a new mission ary society and does not administer funds. The Mission Boards are deem- ed sufficient for this It is an unsel- fish. informal effort on the part of men to arouse other men to a sense of their world wide obligation. Scores of bus mess men have already visited mission fields at their own expense, to examine conditions and give personal testimony to the value and efficacy of the work already accomplished.
 Our church was the first to orga- nize a denominational movement. This was done in the city of Birmingh am May 14-15. 1907, by a group of thirty business men and ministers of our church. With the endorsement oi PresbyteFies. Synods and the Assembly our movement Is seeking to enlist ev- cry man of our church in the effort to give the gospel as speedily as possible to the 25,000,O00 in non Christian lands assumed by our Assembly. It is emil nently fitting that the first general con- ventlon of our movement should be held in the city of its birth.
 This is convention age. Men gather for every purpose under the sun. Is 1t not time that we as men meet to consider that which is of su. preme and vital importance to the flu. ture welfare and prosperity of man. kind-the advancement of Christ's Kingdom? The great purpose of this convention is to bring information and Inspiration. which 1t Is hoped will crystalize into conviction and action. NO amount of effort will be spared to present the strongest program and array of speakers yet presented In the South. Missions will be presented from the viewpoint of the statesman ana the scholar, the seer and the critic the layman and the expert. Governor R. B. Glenn. of North Carolina, will be Chairman of the Convention
 The convention will be held In the auditorium, the largest convention hal | In the State, where was held the greai Confederate reunion last summer anC several other gatherings of size ant | importance.