The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-08

New York. May 7.-(Special.)-M
Roosevelt Is occupying his usual place in
the forefront OF the public press at the
present time. 1t certainly Is an interest
ing and most remarkable commentary
upon human greatness that this man
whom I as a loyal admirer feel can
say with all propriety has never done
any one very great or remarkable thlng'
has nevertheless by consistent and Wig
orous upholding of what he considered
to be the right in whatever situation he
found himself, won a place for himself
in the directions of the civilized people
OF the world that possibly has never been
equalled Mr.. Roosevelts utteranees nave
never been favored with what even MS
most strenuous opponents could call can I.
and yet he Is frequently found address
ing religious bodies and the remarkable
thing Is that he never fails to say some
thing that is worth hearing and likely
to make a decided impression upon his
listeners. It is not so many weeks ago
that I mentioned to you his remarks at
the opening of hospital in East Africa,
which was to be run, as In fact are all
HOSPITALS in nom Christian lands, through
the missionary effects of foreigners His
address made such an impression that
as you will possibly remember portion
OF the hospital was forthwith named IN
his honor More recent utterances took
place in an address to the students at
the American mission at khartoum, as
sembled under the auspices of the United
Presbyterian church of America To
those of my readers who are especially
interested in the movement toward unity
which Is now occupying the attention or
the leaders of religious thought In all
parts of the world I would point out the
article in The Outlook of April 49, IN
which Mr. Roosevelt's address appears IN
the following words: II wish could
make every member of Christian church
feel that Just In so far as he spends his
time in ouarreling with other Christians
of other churches, he is helping to dis
credit Christianity in the eyes of the
world Avoid, as you would the plague,
those who would seek to embroil you IN
conflict, one Christian sect with another.
And he went farther still. Not only
does what I am about to say apply to
the behaviour OF Christians toward one
another but of all Christians toward their
n-Christian brethren, toward their
fellow citizens of another creed. You
can do most for the colleges from which
Won come. YOU can do most for the creed
with you profess, by doing your work in
the position to which you have been
called in a way that brings the respect
of your fellowmen to you. and therefore
to those for whom you stand.
II ia some months since have referred
to the Edinburgh conference, but the
arrangements for that great occasion
have been going apace. The remarkable
conventions of the Laymen's Missionary
Movement. which have been SO widely
commented on In the newspapers during
the past winter, would seem to have been
pinnned as a sort Of special propaganda
in connection with this missionary con-
ference which Is to be held in June. but
such is not the case. The two things
are absolutely distinct the one from the
other so far as any preliminary intention
was concerned and whereas the laymen's
| movement has sprung spontaneously into
beinr during the last two years the con-
ference which is known as the Edinburgh
word Missionary conference, which is TO
| ha the latest of a series of gatherings
which have been held at intervals OF 10
vears ever since 1870. The enthusiasts or
| hoth these essentially missionary efforts
recognized a divine inspiration In the eff
forts of the laymen's movement during
the past IS months and they expect great
things of the coming conference. | quote
| from the New York churchman: Already
ne committee In charge Of local arrange
ments at the Edinburgh World Missionary
conference next June, Is finding itself
emba rrassed by the conflicting claims OF
more would-be attendants than can pos
sih,v And admission to Its sessions. 1t
WAS intended originally that the number
Of official delegates to the conference
should not exceed 1889. 1t was thought
that the basis OF representation which
was decided upon would keep the NUM-
her of delegates below this figure. especi-
ally as some of the societies In foreign
countries would probably not send the
full number of delegates to which they
were entitled.
As it has happened. however, practically
every society in Great Britain. America.
| the British colonies and the continent of
Europe Is sending the full number Of dele
gates allowed to 1t, and the total num-
Der of official delegates will be consid-
erably in excess of 1900 These will &C.
cupy not only the floor of the assembly
hall. but will MI more than one Of tho
galleries in addition. A considerable
amount Of space has also to be reserved
for representatives of the press. nearly
all. the leading papers desiring to have