The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-03
NOTABLE FAREWELL ID DR. s. ]. FOSTER PreSbyterianS Of City Unite In
 Tribute PURSE OFFERED TO SCHOOL Dr. Stagg pr. Handey, Rev. Mooney and Mr. Harde Were Among Speakers At Last Nights
 Meeting.
PURSE OFFERED TO SCHOOL

"This congregation has laid upon the l altar it's dearest treasure, the man by l whom for six years God has led us through the green pastures and by the 1 still waters. ,th these and many
 other words of love, and praise, the Pres | byterians of Birmingham bade farewell
 last night to pr. Sterling J. Foster. who i preached his last sermon yesterday morn- I ing before taking up the duties of pres l ident of the Alabama Synodical College
 for Men at Anniston
 Joseph Hardie presided. and the church
 was crowded with members of all the
 churches of the city A notable address
 was delivered by Dr. ]. w Stagg on
 Education" and short talks were made i by pr. L. D. Mooney, Dr. L. s. Handley l and Mr. Hardie.
 Last night the congregation pledged Dr.
 Foster it's sympathy and it's support by unanimously rising, but at the morning
 service, when the deacons took charge, s5s25 was subscribed as a purse from his l own people, which pr. Foster takes with
 him for the work of education.
 Special music was rendered by the
 choir, which is composed of Mrs. M. l..
 Mooring, organist and ulrector; Mrs Os
 car Gladdin soprano; Miss Flora Orr, , contralto Mr c. P. Orr, tenor; MT. A.
 J. Miller bass; assisted by Miss Malam, Mrs. Soon Jacobs, Mr Hugh Martin. | Mr. F. H. Porter MT. A. s. Mills and
 MT. Owen Gillespie.
 The selections were beautiful and ap-
 propriate for the occasion. The last was 1 God be with you til we meet again."
 sung by the congregation standing.
 MT. Hardie opened the service, saying
 that after six years pastorate it was i quite fitting and proper that Dr. Foster
 should be given cordial godspeed. The
 Rev. |. D. Mooney led in prayer and
 read the 146th Psalm.
 1 Dr. Stagg, al,er few words concern- ing pr. Fosters great service to his
 church, took up the problem of educa-
 tion with which the retiring minister will
 grapple in the future He made the statg-
 ment that America could buy Great l Britain and still have $2O,00O,000. The 1 American people have become great in
 money, a greatness about which they have gone mad" he said.
 But he pressed home the lesson that l it matters not how rich the nation, nor
 how prosperous its commercial under-
 takings, nor how friendly it may be with l other countries it cannot go forward l without an active education of its children 1 to think, to suffer and to sacrifice. We
 must give them the ability to apprehend
 the meaning of the things around them, l and to understand the relations of life" l He rejoiced that this country is to be a l nation educated so as to minimize mis-
 cry and increase happiness, and although l he was struck with how little is given to
 emanicipate, to lift the veil of ignorance
 from the people, eh pointed to new
 awakening, and realization that money | is worth nothing save as it Is laid down
 and taken up transmitted into character
 which shall last into eternity.
 1 Dr. Stagg spoke of the importance of a propa ganda of religious education l that civilization is to be builded on religious lines and education must have | a tinge of religion so that the young man may understand the works of God, and know Christ. This, he said, was
 
 1 life and stimulate the faith of the com ing generation, when it called Dr. | Foster to his new field, and he urged | that the people of the state put upon the altar of God sufficient means to 1 give the boy hope, to color his life so l that he may grasp the full unit of his possibilities and be qualified to compete l vii 1,iu fa1 rnar n 0it fl. zen and a power for God T pray the blessings of God upon him who now ] goes with faith in us to take up the work of multiplying the ministers that the power of God unto salvation may be made known"
 l MT. Mooney. pastor of the Second Presbyterian church, made short talk. He said that the meeting emphasized the unity of the church in the city, and in speaking of pr. Foster said, "He has added to you spiritual gifts, and we all | esteem him for his faithfulness, his conscientious care, and hope that God may use him as a factor in the king dom even more than before.'
 pr. L. s. Handley pastor of the Cen tral church, said that he had taken part in the installation of every pastor l the South Highlands church has ever had 'You have made splendid prog ress under Dr. Fosters leadership" he said. but he has completed his work among you. God has opened up another 1 field, and if you will give him your assistance this college will blossom as the rose and it will gladden. all of our hearts"
 ] In closing the service, MT. Hardie asked the congregation by rising to pledge pr. Foster that "by that act we | will stand behind him." and the whole audience rose. pr. Foster thanked them, l saving that words could not express 1 his apprecia ton. Tt seemed to me the providence of God that should take l this call, for l saw vision of the streams of young men pouring out of | those walls" he said. 'I thank you for your sympathy and may God bless you"
 pr. Posters last message to his peo- ple delievered yesterday morning, was one of peace and reconciliation, choos- l ing his text from Cor V, IS, 19: And 1 all things are of God, who hath recon | n, ,,, +, JJinsa1f bV .IeSllS Christ.