The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-30
NOTABLE GREETING
TO BISHOP MCCOY By
ALABAMA FRIENDS
Sets at Rest Rumors That He
Will Not Retain Resi-
dence in State
CHURCH CROWDED TO
DO MINISTER HONOR
The Bishop Makes short Address Full
Of Emotion Asking the Prayers of
Friends to Help Him DO
His Work Well


nominations assembled for the purpose OF
greeting and honoring Bishop James n.
Mccoy, the first resident minister OF Aih-
bama to be elected to a seat III the
Methodist college of bishops. All the
Methodists of Birmingham were repre-
sented in the large audience, all Metno-
dist churches except the First church
having closed their doors for the oc-
casion.
Gov. p. B. Conner, who had consented
to welcome Bishop Mccoy, on behalf OF
the state was absent due to indisposi-
ton. but the office was performed in
gSceful manner by Lieutenant Cover
nor-eleot Walter D. Seed. Capt. Frank >.
White made the speech Of welcome on be-
half of Birmingham; f. X. Campbell OF
Birmingham Methodism; the Rev. J. ID.
Simpson of the north Alabama confer
ence. and j. III. Hewlett, student or Biz
mingham college, of that institution
Bishop Mccoy responded to the ad-
DR. esses Of welcome in voice broken with
emotion. With characteristic modesty he
declared that he felt "keenly unworthy
Of the confidence expressed in his abil-
ity The audience forgot themselves ana
burst into applause when Bishop MCCOY
said. in answer to a query of one of the
preceding speakers, who could doubt,
who knows my heart that 1t Is my in
tention to live in Alabama and to sleep in
the soil of Alabama?'
The service was opened with a hymn
announced by the Rev. r. L. Walston,
dol "
DR.. H. c. Howard. After the scripture
reading by the Rev. F. w. Brandon and
second hymn announced, by the Rev. G.
E. Boyd DR.. L. c. Branscomb, pastor OF
the First church, made few introduce
tory remarks. DIR. Branscomb paid a trib-
ute to the character Of Bishop Mccoy,
who in youth was his schoolmate, and to
the memory of the new bishops parents.
"a rose to the living is worth more than
sumptuous wreaths to the dead he said,
"and that is why we have assembled here
to- express our appreciation of this man of
God. We believe that if God spares his
life he will be the greatest bishop ever
known to the Methodist Episcopal church,
south"
Addresses of Welcome
The next speaker was J. H. Hewlett,
student of Birmingham college, who ex-
pressed the regrets of the students OF
Birmingham college, as we'll as their con-
ordinations at DIR. McCoy's election to
the biskopric He declared that the for
mer president had been both father and
mother to the students of the college,
who, witt, the faculty, were reluctant to
Civ him up. but offered their sincere con-
gratulaticns.
Il. X. Campbell next welcomed Bishop
Mccoy on behalf of Birmingham Meth
odism. Mr.. Campbell declared that Biz
mingham Methodism, with it's % churches,
stands for great work and that better
organization will be necessary In the fu-
ture He expressed the hope. later re-
lieved by Bishop Mccoy. that the new
bishop would make his residence in Bir-
mingham in order to aid in that organiza-
ton.
Capt. Frank S. White was next heard in
short speech welcoming Bishop Mccoy
or behalf of the city. Talk of your great
Birmingham and Greater Birmingham"
said Captain White. what is greater than
to have produced the first resident Meth
idist bishop of Alabama? Birmingham, as
well as Alabama, ought indeed to be
proud. The people and the churches of
Alabama are honored more than Is DIR.
Mccoy"
The Rev. ]. D. Simpson, in representing
the North Alabama conference in the
welcome declared that few people re-
alize the position of a Methodist bishop
"A Methodist bishop he said jocularly,
''is the biggest man In the world. The
Car of Russia cannot be spoken of in
the same breath with one. Preachers go
II he says CO. and when and where he
says. No man exercises the authority
that he does. The North Alabama con-
ference congratulate themselves on hav-
ing in their midst the man who was
sought for the office OF bishop and
brought to the 'front.'
Seed Speaks
In the absence of Governor Conner,
Walter d. Seed the democratic nominee
for lieutenant governor. extended the
welcome to Bishop Mccoy on behalf of
the state. IT regret" said the speaker
that our distinguished governor is not
present to give a fitting welcome to
Bishop Mccoy. l am fortunate, however.
in addition to having the knowledge that
every Albanian has of him. of having
been member of his official family in
the classic city which bedecks the War
rior. He has lived a life of simplicity,
l might say Of perfection. He is gentle,
yet frm modest, yet powerful, giant in
intellect. yet wholly unconscious OF his
great power. In the great speech he
made at the Methodist conference in
Canada he became an International
figure
Bishop McCoy's Address
II never felt it harder to make a speech
than l do tonight" said Bishop Mccoy.
when he was introduced to respond to
the addresses Of welcome. Il realize the
impotency of mere words in expressing
the gratitude and affection in my heart
to my friends and neighbors for their
kind words and for this great demonstra-
ton. To say / am overwhelmed would be
to express poorly my position, so keenly
unworthy do I feel of the confidence in
my ability shown by my friends. Since
the day of my election my mind has been
filed. not with a sense of the dignity and
honor of the high office. but of it's over
whelming responsibility. and the demand
| for greater concentration and unremitting
service AS you go to your Heavenly
Father in prayer. remember YOUR friend,
and pray that God hold up Wis hands
and give him strength and help.
Men are but mere Incidents; the king
dom of God is everything 1t Is not the
man whom you should consider, but the
work for the common Master. I shall
dismiss the personal aspect OF my talk
with a word of affection and gratitude
for this notable demonstration. This oc-
casion shall be in my memory as a white
stone. and l shall never forget your ex-
pressions Of confidence and love.
"A reference has been made to my place
of residence. cannot forget man who
nut his name on TIE first roll of the
North Alabama conference. That name
inherited Ny friends, my father sleeps