The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-18
SECRETARIES UNABLE
 ID RECORD TIE OFFERS
MT. Spier Makes Notable Address Dur ina Afternoon--Mornine Session
 Was Full of Interesting
 Talks.

Laymens s conference went down to the very root of the work which is being planned. when the laymen learned the lessons which they will apply on returning to their homes.
 Yesterday morning was devoted to a further study of the conditions in mission lands, and a final pressing home of the call of Christ for help in the Dark Con- tinent The day was marked by wild outbursts of enthusiasm, and the fine body of men drank in each word with hungry faces.
 The feature of the meeting was the unexpected reply of the laymen to the appeal of pr. J. W. Bradley, physician missionary from Suchien, China, who told of the need for money to support the hospital at that point. Almost in- stantly the audience was on it's feet yell ing out contributions of $100 and within five minutes $1O,O0O had been subscribed, while the secretaries called a halt and Governor Glenn declared that no more subscriptions would be taken. When J. Campbell White said that this was but a fea-bite of the million dollar enter prise which had been undertaken. it was easy to see that there was plenty of money behind.
 Afternoon Session.
 The afternoon session was@opened with a Bible reading by the Rev. R. O. liar ris of Mobile. Rev. A. D. Mason of Memphis led in prayer after which Gen. eral Secretary J. Campbell White took charge and announced that the after noon's programme would get down to practical plans and find the best ideas for missionary efficiency. He then intro duced David M. Conaughy of New York city, former missionary to India, who spoke on the missionary committee. He said
 ''The one only method of carrying out the programme of the Lord is the church of Jesus Christ, an organism"
 He said that during recent years the work has been relegated to the women s missionary societies and it is time that the church of Christ realize that the man as well as the woman ought to have part on both sides of this undertaking He condemned any attempt to organize mems societies, but said that the thing to do is to use the church which is al ready organized.
 Let us see that, instead of leaving everybody's business as nobodys busi- ness we have a missionary committed in every church. I have in mind com mittee appointed every year by the ses- sion composed of the best among the membership-active elders, active young men-and a subcommittee in the Sunday school, representative of the mems brotherhood and the mems Bible class. the young peoples society and the wom- ems society.
 2 Functions Divided.
 'It should meet regularly and care for the whole missionary work, home and foreign. The functions should be so di- vided that every member of the commit tee will have something tangible to do.
 First, the committee should do educa- tional work, attending a missionary meet ing every month. Then personal tours should be made, by member to mis- sonary conferences like this, our pub fishing plants and other points.
 One member should be found each Sunday morning at the church door pre- pared to distribute missionary literature of the latest publication. Another should have charge of the library, ready to push and carefully circulate the books.
 Another should care for the corre- spondence, who will keep in touch with the work encouraging the foreign work and to see that the members of the church cheer and encourage the mis- sionaries in the field.
 ''The prayer side should be cared for with carefully planned ideas and sug- gestions for prayer. The thing for us to do is to put the belting on the fly wheel and see that the steam goes not to the whistle but to the driver, and see that an active committee is in charge of the work at home."
 MT White said that the impression should not go out that the Laymen's S movement would eliminate the pastor He insisted that a marching, active army is much harder to command than a sleep ing one. He said the preacher should be member and an active leader in the work.
 Brown Introduced.
 He then introduced MT. t. A. Brown of Nashville, who said:
 '''The watchword for the forward move- ment is the need for personal canvass. The men want information of how much and where to locate their contributions The givers won't be reached at the church gbecause they do not attend reg ularly1
 He took up some of the causes of ship wrecks in making this canvass
 We want them to go two by two Men must give not only their money but big chunks of their time.' He said that getting out cards to promise to pay was not capable of anything like a regular business canvass.
 Set time when you are going to start and when you are going to finish The time to end must be set, as you will get tired and drag it out too long, He in- sisted that it must be thorough and prompt.
 ~ "We need multiplied number of sys- tematic givers to missions. You should your church." said MT. White and then offerings, insisting that it is the only practical method. collected by a weekly envelope numbered and dated Never send them out by mail, but do the thing in a serious, thorough-going way as be- fits the greatest business in the world. By all means have two treasurers, so as to prevent any msappropriation of the funds"
 A questioner called attention to the plan of the general assembly to set aside each month for special collection pur- poses. and MT. White said that system is antiquated and should be revised.
 Professor Martin Speaks.
 How Men May Become Equipped as Efficient Workers was the subject dis cussed by Professor Martin.
 "I'd like to know what we men are here for. We are not here as simple ves- sells to be filled full, but as vital channels through which the information shall flow ->--~~>->--~-~------~----
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