The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-18
Ellis and Speer Thrill Immense Crowds With Words
 About Missions
ELLIS TELLS ABOUT HIS
 TRIP AMONG THE HEATHEN
Spier Pays Fervent Tribute To the Missionary and the Work He Has Done In Past for
 Civilization.

The Hinpodrome was crowded to the very limit last night for the most in- spirational session of the Laymen's con- ference yet held. The two speakers, W. 1 r Ellis of Philadelphia and Robert E. 1 Spier of New York, who are. among the most gifted in the whole church, were the only speakers. MT. Spier paid what was pronounced the grandest tribute to the missionary enterprise ever uttered from a local platform, while Mr. Ellis pictured the conditions from a personal investigation.
 The devotional exercises were led by the Rev. Neal Anderson of Montgomery. After announcements Gov R. B. Glenn arose and stated that much to his re- gret he would have to say goodbye, but 1 he had promised to be in Louisville Ky, tonight to open the campaign against strong drink This was followed by loud and continued applause. He asked the convention to pray God to strengthen him and give him at least 10 years more of l life to be devoted to his Masters serv- ice He spoke of the great honor which had fallen to his lot in presiding over
 
 witty remarks Governor Glenn introduced l William T. Ellis of the editorial staff of the Philadelphia American who travelled through heather lands at his own ex- pense Investigating the mission work. w. T. Ellis Speaks.
 He had some little fun out of Governor Glenn, speaking of him as a man who | fa11s .f hi circumnavigation of the globe he said 1 that he had travelled on all kinds of | vehicles and animals. He narrated in- terestingly the many experiences of his travels and said that he had now come with several simple observations One was that only Christendom has any idea of the world geography. Now we can | have a new figure of Atlas, the Christian man bearing on his heart the whole | world"
 Another observation was that the world I is being forced to adopt a world stand ard of ethics, a universal law, and the nations are coming under the idea of a world brotherhood, being standardized to the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 He declared that tonight all the older I nations are reaching out supplicating hands to the United States of America. Turkey crys to America, Great 'Britafn's India looks only to the United States for guidance, China, Japan, Corea have all kept their hands turned toward America for tutelage and education"
 Coneratulates the South. MT. Ellis congratulated the south upon it's part in the great work ''The south was first to fling her soldiers into that ohivalrous battle of protection for a weak nation. Soon speed the day when south and north shall each fling themselves into the fight for ideals. for our Leader, for the whole world. The United States is. become a country of chivalry. '1f we would transform other nations we will have to go down to the funda- mentals which is religion It will not do to give them clothes or food.
 ''We are face to face with heathendom and there can De no compromise with God. There is no hope in their old faiths, nor is their hope in providing the simple equipment and paraphernalia of civiliza- tion. Except the old man be changed within all these trappings of civiliza- ton make him an even worse influence for evil"
 MT. Ellis condemned some of the false impressions often circulated to raise the mission spirit. The corset of America, he said, is worse than the Chinese shoe, and then he laughingly alluded to that crowning monstrosity of civilization, woman's hat. l have only abhorrence for foreign missions based on clothes"
 In proving that the heather must be born again, MT. Ellis said that every where the Japanese have attempted to colonize; in California, Corea or the Phil ippnes they have been hated and de- spised. They still have inose old heath enish traits which stand for unneighbor- ly selhshness. Nothing will suulce for them which does not change their whole nature.
 "The only thing for them is the gospel of Him who was himself an Oriental, and whom they can learn to love-
 Problem of Civilization.
 "Trhe greatest problem of civilization today is putting new mind on the heather world of neighborlness. This work of missions is the most immediate and the most urgent and the most divine. That is the reason that God has raised tip at this time body of strong men to lift up the whole heather world as an offering to Jesus Christ.
 s'I believe that the foreign missionary proposition of today is defensiblet only on this ground. We have had results almost supernatural for the investment, but as yet we have not brought the main body up to the firing line. This is our work. We want to have mans share in win ming the world
 Referring to the fight against opium by the missionaries, he said: Because your pr. Dubose had faith and courage and vision, today opium is outawed from China and is doomed in the world. Only Christendom cares when their brethren perish
 "In supplying the basic need of this world there is an ambition that will sat isfy the biggest man; here is field to be knight errant, a great, fearless bat tier for the Lord. When looking at the inscription on Confederate monument in Charlotte I recently had vision. and I prayed that it might be said that I was First at Bethel, farthest at Gettysburg, last at Appomattox.
 ' HaIford Could Not Attend.
 Chairman Rowland read a letter from Col 10. w. Halford. which stated that he had been snowbound in train and could not get here Robert E. Spier, the nlainest looking, the most powerful and wonderful and spiritual speaker in the convention, was the next speaker.
 Spier Takes Floor.
 He spoke on "The Worlds Debt to the Missionary In opening he declared that the work of foreign missions is not in need of any exaggeration to prove its inn mensity. q will make no careless clalns. Now, I want to set out before you. thfee facts
 "1 Tho roissionarv enterprise is not the