The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-27
BANQUET GIVEN
VISITING BISHOPS
Distinguished Divines Speak
At Ensley
NEW TELEPHONE OFFICE
Father Mehan Visits Brother-Rev. l..
A. Reagor Returns From Naca-
tiOn-DOuble-Heade BY
Ensley Barracks
NEW TELEPHONE OFFICE

A notable event in the annals of the
Methodist church in this state was the
banquet given last night at the taber-
nacle of the Ensley Methodist church
in honor of Bishop J. C. Kilgo and Bishop
J. H. Mccoy.
Bishop Kilgo has charge of the North
Alabama conference, this being his first
visit to Alabama in his Official capacity.
He will lay the cornerstone of the new
church at Ensley Sunday afternoon and
dedicate the church building.
He arrived in Birmingham yesterday
about o'clock and was met by Bishop
Mccoy the Rev. Frank Culver, the Rev.
F. w. Brandon, DR.. Bowen and several
other prominent members of the Meth
odist church, including about % citizens
of Ensley, who came to Birmingham in
automobiles to meet the distinguished
visitor.
A short motor trip was made around
the South Highlands, after which he
was driven to Ensley, where he is the
guest of Mr.. and Mrs. j. NJ. Donaldson.
The banquet was a most enjoyable af-
fair There were about 250 guests pres
ent The decorations in the tabernacle
were very appropriate. the Epworth
league colors yellow and white, predom-
mating. Ferns and flowers were in pro-
fusion, adding much to the artistic eff
feet. The dinner was served by the
ladies' of the church and much praise
was given them for the elegance of serv-
ice and the toothsomeness of the viands
which were much enjoyed by the assem-
bled guests.
There were five long tables, reaching
the full length of the building. At the
head of each was one or the speakers
of the evening.
Many prominent divines were present,
among them Bishop Kilgo, Bishop Nc
Coy, the Rev. L. C. Branscomb, the
Rev. Frank Culver, the Rev. F. w.
Brandon, the Rev. Mr.. Whitehead, the
Rev j. S. Chadwick, the Rev. j. E.
sturdivant. the Rev. L. F. Written, the
Rev. B. B. Glasgow, and many others,
both of the clergy and laity.
The Rev. ]. D. Simpson, president of
Birmingham college, was POSTMASTER, and
acquitted himself admirably. His re-
marks were always to the point and in
terspersed with we'll told and timely
anecdotes.
He introduced the first speaker, DIR.
r. M. Cunningham, who gave the ad-
dress of welcome to the bishops. He
made an eloquent address on religious
thought and religious ideals, and extended
a warm welcome to the distinguished
guests.
A vocal solo was then rendered in an
excellent manner by Mrs. C. w. Cole
George r. Byrum, chairman of the finance
committee, was introduced and gave some
interesting facts and figures regarding
the origin of the church in Ensley and
the building of the new edifice.
Bishop J. H. Mccoy was called upon
by the POSTMASTER. He spoke on the
philosophy of Religion" and the great
issues that confronted the church today
In commenting on the new church build
Ing he referred to millions being spent
in this district for Industrial development
and that the needs of church buildings
were correspondingly increasing He also
extended to his colleague a hearty well
come and greeting.
The last speaker was Bishop Kilgo. His
speech was eloquent and instructive, and
was listened to with rapt attention by his
audience. His appearance is striking. In
tensely southern in speech and action,
his address gave much food for thought
to his hearers. His dashes of genuine
wit with which his address was inter-
spersed added to the dramatic earnest
ness of his serious VEIN He took for his
theme the Democracy of Religion, and
a more learned and scholarly address has
seldom been heard
He closed by thanking his hosts for
the cordial felcome that had been ac-
corded him and expressed a hope of a
long and close friendship. He will be
shown over the district today and will
preach at the church on Sunday. The
ladies of the church and the several COM
mittees thai arranged the banquet were
much complimented on the success Of the
affair.