davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-03
YAMPTON'S MAGAZINE, like some
 other competitors for public favor, ( feels the necessity of being inter

T YAMPTON'S MAGAZINE, like some
 other competitors for public favor, x feels the necessity of being inter esting. But it is an. eminently pitful fact that publications which seek to in- terest the reading world are constantly verging the edge of things Jell2w which is to say, distorted, sensational Every now and then the church and the pastor and the foreign missionary soci- ety come to their turn; they are duly ''sptted upon the editorial toasting-fork k and served up with Tobasco and ether hot sauce. Hence Dr. Thomas I. Green, otherwise hardly known to fame, leaps into the imelight of a stage Inferno in the pages of Hampton's, fourishes his fork, and proceeds to produce toasted, roasted, pasted missionary, with brown gravy. Time was when Fiji and Tahiti were the scenes for this sort of cookery, but the development of competitive screechng in New York and elsewhere in this Christian land has made it fit that the Devils kitchen change its latitude
 Now a bare attack on foreign missions would be mere banaity today. Probably no editor could be found to print it. But ii missionary enterprise can be made to appear as a phase of some existing and unmistakabe evil, if superior persons, like pr. Green, can show that the laity are being bamboozled into vicious zeal for missions when their zeal is rather needed at home, then shall we not all be con- strained to consent, even with avldity, to the toastng-forlS process, and like Rob 'nson Crusoe's dark-sknned eann,bals, dance around the fire with yells of ap- probation? This therefore Dr. Green does. He persuades himself that what goes into the work of gospel teaching elsewhere Is taken out of the pockets of several thou- sand ministers of home churches; and therein is the bone of his contention. He describes Methodist minister. whose salary is slow in arriving and whose wife s life is perpetual and angushed effort to pay old bills, to cothe her children neat ly. to keep her house fit to be seen, ard who weeps because the quarters salary is not paid up. The nominal level of the salary is $500, with house.
 To these sorely tried toilers comes the appeal to push the interest of foreign mis- sions. They are in Wisconsin. The pas tor longs to change places with his old fellow students, now in India, Japan, Af- rica who, while he gets $500 a year. are getting s15OO. or, reckoning in his house rent, at least one-third more than he. with an extra allowance for each child. Of these hostages to fortune he has, believe. four souls The average salary. says Dr.. Green. for Methodist ministers in Wiscon- sin Is s775 a year. It is not quite to the point. but he adds figures for other de- nominations, showing that while some pay their ministers as much as S1653. others pay only S121, or even, in the case of tho Congregational Methodists. $111 ycar. The average of all denominations. says tl'is writer reaches only s663 year: this cst,- mate excluding negro churches and pas tors
 Frankly am amazed that he can make t SO high. In many instances, however,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-03

A ENCOURAGEMENT was made in last
 "A Sundays Age-Herald of the in- 4 \ stallation at St. Vincents hos pftal of a free dspensary for the clinical treatment of the destitute. The reverence of this announcement struck me, coming as it does along with the other good news of our city and state and nation. Bir- mingham is In fair way to become in the next ten years a city of a quarter million inhabitants with all the approved splendor and all of the miserable desti- tution that such a population entails. There will be decay as well as growth.
 We will build towering office buildings and stately temples of worship. Where Signor Nappi now waves his baton Greek
 theater may appear. Certainly the Greeks will appear! Greek and Italian quick lunch stands will be as numerous as the spiral nebulae in the Milky Way. At the Greek cafes we may choke ourselves to our civic hearts content and refresh all pro- vincials that may trade in Birmingham, the while we shall make an effort to get the larger splotches of the milky way annexed to the growing city. The future looms large. Splendid saloons will ap-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-03

his wife is paid if she does any of the work, and she can engage an extra nurse for every child. "a patient, efficient sil- lent-footed, restful servant" The niis- sionary may further count on social en- thence in his field, his own conveyance, a. comfortable, even a commodious dwell ing three or four such servants; his sal |ary, moreover comes with clock work iegularity. He is not in any physical peril for the most part. and so long as he keeps clear of politics and specul l:ion he is safe.
 pr. Green is describing what might be. and what l suppose in some rare instances actually is; but he Is not describing the average facts, as he is so eager to do in the case of the home pastor. Let kim go through the mission fields and take in the thousands of men under all conditions some supported by faith and no mis- sionary board, some supported by 'neager gifts of the natives themselves. some by much more economical system Shan that which he here portrays, then let him strike an average, and draw his compar- ison. I also challenge Dr. Green to show
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-03

| |" tembur issue if the Ladies Home
 " A Jurnal there appeers an article
 entitled 'Is it not time for parents to
 act?' byMorris Joseph Clurman. A. B. lM D., B-H., and Morrus' article oeels 1 exclusively with the football question as l 1t Is today
 | We have no dout that Morrus' is reel | high brow, and can successfully chase | the anser to a probim in geomitry, and | extract the square root of Shebrew 1 verb without the use of clorryform, but. when it cums to solving the football question. or evven making a staggur in that directson Morrus' is dismal failure. He gives lot of statisticks about in jures and deaths to football in the U. s. for the last six years and we guess
 he has the rite dope, for surely Morrus would not go off half cooked on such Il grave mattur. and if he is rite We are most agreeabully surprised. The record is not half as bad as we supposed. frum the fits" that have been thrown about it. Axsepting Morrus figgers as correct, the football casualties in the r. S. for
 the past six years do not equal those of | the resent Mexican Revverlusion, and when 1t cums to comparing them with the Automobile record and the flying masheen records it's like comparing a quaker prayer meeting with riot. Still | of course if there is enny way to keep enuv of our useless college boys frum getting killed, we would cheerfully adopt it. or that Is we would try to get them ! to adopt 1t which Is a far different mat ltur That's the truble with Morrus. His iarticle Is addressed to the Parents, vho
 do not play football and have nuthing
 what-evver to do with 1t. What is the use of givving chickens a lot of advice about swimming in watur. that reely ap- plies to Ducks? The propper persun to
 disucss football with Is the American
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-03

Nothing was more logical than that he should be elected to the national Senate to succeed Hon. Clement c. Clay on the occasion of the resignation of the latter in 1S41. But remnant of Senator Clays term was left when he resigned but Mir Bagby was easily reelected when the fragment of time had expired Before the term of six years for which he had been elected had closed President Polk appointed Senator BagbY envoy extraor- dinary and minister plenipotentiary to the Russian court at St. Petersburg. For this position he was admirably fitted but served in the capacity of minister not more than year, and for political reasons resigned on the accession of Gen Taylor to the Presidency.
 Returning from Russia MT. Bagby set tied again in Alabama, retiring to private life from which he was summoned to public service by being associated with Judge Ormund and Hon. c. C. Clay in the codifcation of the laws of Alabama. This was the last public service rendered by MT. Bagby.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-03

of the charm of a perennial flow of nat ural, bright and animated conversation. Nature had lavished her richest gifts on this unassuming young Virginian.
 In 1887 MT. Bagby became a candidate tor governor. Favorably known by the leading men throughout the state, the election of Bagby was in the outset con- ceded. though he was opposed by a very popular man, Hon. Samuel w. Oliver of Conecuh. The popularity of MT. Oliver was based on his conservatism, and he was universally esteemed a gentleman of great fairness They were formidable op- ponents, the qualities of each command ing the highest esteem, but the popu- larity already attained by the younger candidate and his persuasive and exhil- arating oratory made for him friends wherever he appeared and he was elected.
 Up to this time the inauguration of a governor was regarded as so tame an oaeo- sion that there was but a small attendaiice of the population on the ceremonies, but when Bagby was inaugurated those who had heard him during the campaign
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-03

lent educational equipment with which he had been provided in his native state. Recognizing in the law an opportunity, not only to accumulate wealth, but a medium to distinction, MT. Bagby entered law office and began his preparation for the bar. The rapid inflow of popu- lation to the dawning state, the occupa- tion of lands in all directions, and the inevitable growth of wealth would beget litigation and afford a harvest field for the best equipped of the legal profession. Young Bagby caught the spirit of the times and was not slow to improve the opportunity.
 Highly gifted. Bagby was like many another young man with rare natural powers, and came to rely on his natural endowments rather than on studious ap- plcation. His charming personality and fascinating manner made him immensely popular, and his popularity was enhanced by vivid imagination and prolific and poetic utterance From the time of his first appearance before the public to the close of a long and eventful public ca reer, he was a most popular orator. His
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-03

Isagaeious never. There was a difference. however. German never shed the velvet; indeed it is doubtful if there was iron be- neath it; but Quay had the iron claw, and on occasion employed it. Again, German was timid ever; Quay was intrepid often. German never moved, but on snuous lines; Quay frequently went direct to his objective German was densely ignorant of everything other than practical and un- serupulous politics; Quay was a widely cultivated man and could find solace in books for defeat.
 German was curiosity. Nobody ever
 got categorical answer from him. The
 late Sam Donelson of Tennessee, brought about an interview between the Maryland boss and a certain newspaper man. whose name shall suppress for reason lnore or
 less obvious. It was narrated around that the democratic boss was going to take the meat axe and chop Teddy Roose- velt's administration into sausage. That
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-03

iluhiicates the grouchy feelings. l Perhaps you cannot force yours 9lf to
 the laughter cure but you can begin your
 day in cheerful mood You can force
 your mood.
 | Do you know that there are more quar-
 rels, more disturbances. more 1ivorces,
 more bickerings and brois at the break
 fast table than at both the other meals combined? | The grouch microbe is an early worm. | Fegn your day properly. Force your self into good spirits. Cultivate pleasant speech at the breakfast table. Smile
 smile and your troubles. like the Arab,
 will fold their tents and silently steal away.
 | That is well begun is already half done. Breakfast is danger point. Your stomach is empty, perhaps vour nerves are tangled, and in your fancy
 there is some fearsome thing ahead. How shall this be done or that? Will that hap pen or this? Trifes annoy you. Nevertheless
 Face the day smilingly Whatever looms ahead. front it good humoredly However difficult the task, you are the
 more certain of it's accomplishments if you go at it in cheerful manner. Begin right.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-03

fame as an orator gradually widened, and his services were in frequent de- mand, not only in the courts, but on i'm portant public occasions.
 He was not long in finding his way into public life, for in 1921 he was chosen to represent Monroe county in the legs- lature. His companionable disposition and uniform courtesy won the hearts of his fellow legislators, and when he succeeded himself in the lower house after his first term, he was easily elected to the speak ership-the youngest member in the his tory of the state to, occupy that position. being at the time but little beyond 25 years old. For a period of 15 years he was kept in the legislature, sometimes in one branch and again in the other. He closed his career as an active legislator in the house as speaker in 1886.
 His active interest in affairs had by this time made him one of the best known public men in the state, while his popularity was undiminished. Perhaps Alabama never had a more popular pub lie servant than Arthur P. Bagby. To the equipments already named was that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-03

pear where 1t will be impossible to get well drunk. .... .Aeroplane excursions will be arranged for week days and on Sun days the Music Study club will perfect arrangements for the appearance of Crea- tore in concert about thousand feet above the city hall.
 With the excellent Italian music and the excellent cooking at the Greek res taurants and with the daily record of the doings of the Camorrists at Viterbo, vis- tors to Birmingham may get all the at mosphere of southern Europe right here at home.
 Our vast coal and iron products will be exploited on a VaSter scale. Barges will ply between Birmingham and Mo- bile harbor, I dare say We will grow prosperous. if to be rich is prosperity; we will be happy if to be well fed and clothed means happiness. Yet in our big dream of the future let us include what may be called an over-dream-the supple ment and finish of all that we pray for of material wealth. Let there be a for warding of healthful sanitary conditions, their concomitant being a lessening of mortuary statistics Let us in all cleanly and healing ways minimize the decay in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-03

1 his figures are utterly worthless. They are altogether too low. Take the case of the Congregational Methodists, at the bottom of the list. These good people are prac- ticaly all in the rural districts of the south They revolted from the rule of Episcopal Methodism in 1852, and many of their churches subsequently, sought Il e h aid of the Congregationalists, though in all essential respects they were still Meth odists. Some preferred to stay in the ola Organization. Their preachers are Fl ac- ltcally unpaid. They are generally un- trained exhorters, who ply the business of farming during the week and push the cause of holiness on Sundays. Their churches are rich in time, in unction, In hospitality; but then, like all poor south ern farmers, hardly see money except after the cotton is sold. Nevertheless the ministers live Plainly it is mere dust in the eyes to introduce into the average this element or indeed, any of the rurar southern churches, which so largely have to depend upon the ministry of men who in great measure support themselves as farmers.
 On the other hand, l should suppose pr. Greens figure. s66S fairly close guess ar l the average salary paid either north or south to the ministers of all denomina- tions who depend exclusively on the money payments of their churches or so cieties. And I have no objection to what i he adds: There are hundred times as Imany automobiles as there were ten .ears ago: wages have gone up; beef has gore up. flour is higher; milk is dearer; but Ithe dead level of ministerial poverty labdeth forever" He says with truth tfat the average minister lives below the ov- erty line, below the line of economic and physical efficiency And he Is bitterly resentful because this mass of un1erpalc men are expected to help raise an extra l"Fifty millions for missions"
 But pr. Green is no mere insurgsnt from Methodism. decrying foreign nis- sions to the churches. His point of view |enabes him to assert that 'the American lpeople are ceasng to support the church lat home but are still eager to establish the church in heather lands Seeking an Iexpanation of this alleged phenomenon, he finds it in these psychological con Iditions (sc):
 (a) The individual does not know that Ithe nation has ceased to support the church.
 (b) Foreign missions appeal to the TO- mantle feelings the love of the pictur- esaue: and
 Co The foreign missionary does get cor jcrete results; he is part of great Chris tian institution, while the church Ut home is split into dozens of warning, narrow minded, mediaeval divisions'
 Now the chief burden of Dr. Grsen's Ipaper may be called the contrast between the unity and practicableness If foreign missionary operations and the divisions | Of the church at home. He takes HIS ack l to his Wisconsin Methodist brother in whose little town of 2700 persons there are ll3 Protestant, or what may in some in- stances, without offense be called demi- semi Protestant. religious organizations He lists them thus: Presbyterian, United
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-03

1 how many of the larger and wealthjer so- cieties pay their agents on the field as much as $500 plus grants for children and house. He ought to know that the salary question has to be settled accord ling to the expense of living, hat whether in Japan. India, China, TurSey. or the Pacific islands. as the ease may be, the missionary is simply made secure against carling care. free to devote him self to the business that brought him thither. I am aware that Dr. Green has a case but he mars it by these eXtrdVa- gances of statement I am well aware that just as a minister in this country may be self-indulgent. luxurious, waste 1 full. so may a similar man under foreign skies. But am sure that the great army l of foreign missionaries supply as her pic an exhibit as can anywhere be found of l Christian men investing not only their lives. but every available cent of their legitimate earnings in the work they have undertaken. The incidental globe trotter who supplies pictures like this of Dr. Greens of missionaries living sumpt- uously in contrast with the meager lives of men of equal education at home has indeed some facts to support him. But the facts are distorted when they imply that the average foreign missionary is he successful hunter of soft snap" Both
 
 the peer of any Christian in any age Win ston Churchill. a politician. a stat ssman. la soldier and traveller. speaking of Englands debt to volunteer missionaries, says: We know that it Is on the spirit of earnest philanthropy. disnterested lcivilizing exertions, high principles If ie- ilgion and of public governmental IS on that, and on that alone, that the perma- nent continua tion of the British empire l ident Taft, recent ministers to China. and the foremost administrators in India might be quoted.
 So that the question comes whether even Sl5O0 a year is too much to pay for such men in such work.
 In the same way Dr. Green alleges tha. lit costs upwards of 5o per cent of heir income for the missionary societies to meet administration expenses. He ir- stances a missionary from India whom he met last year in Japan. who informed him that "every dollar that came into actual practical use in his work had cost the r oreign Missionary society $S75 cents to put it there" He says, Tt has always been an item in the budget of the mis- sionary boards, that it took s1 to make s1 efficient In the field
 But this is mere hearsay. How many of the missionary societies has Dr. Green called upon for official facts? What does he or his Indian missionary include in cost of administration? He ought to know that of every dollar subscribed more than i99 cents, generally more than 8 cents, reaches the missionary. But his sweeping, lunwinnowed asseverations will be quoted from the magazine by thousands wilo do not know how to correct him. Neverthe- less the point of the diatribe is, as I aid, Ia valuable point. It is the certainty not that foreign work is done tQQ exQensiYelyA
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-03

warming to engineers The ash pan un- der the boiler of a locomotive when left oper strews embers along the track. The order to shut the ash pan meant what it said.
 When the engineer sees the sign it means that his engine is approaching a wooden bridge. He must shut off his ssh pan or the live coals may set fire 10 he timbers of the bridge,
 The warning is applicable to more things than railroading For instance:
 Words dropped into combustibe mate rial are like live coals. The fire once kindled may flame up into a passionate conflagration.
 When you near the bridge of eontro- versy you should look for the danger sig nal and do like the engineer
 Shut your ash pan.
 It is a trivial task to shut off the coals. To put out the fire on the bridge is se- rious matter.
 Suppose there is dispute bet wee hus- band and wife. One of them forgets about the approach of the bridge. neglec.s to shut the ash pan, drops a fiery word or two and the flames of anger flare mp.
 The fire may be put out before much harm Is done--or the bridge may te burned, Estrangement, heart wrenchings,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-03

as merely 8 matter of self preserya- tion.
 We have to remember that our city is just one big family-with that big family living in one atmosphere, one house. so to say. And living in this social structure are those who are wise and those who are foolish a truly cos mopolitan family. embracing those who are well and those who are i'll. Those of who live in the higher rooms in the cleaner airs-must see to it that the cellars and sculleries are cleansed. for our own salvation. Those who --...' of the stress of things have won se curity and comfort and sweetness-who have won access to and lawful owner ship of the delectable rooms-have one fair thing yet to win-an Unforgetting of the Lower Rooms.
 And so that admittance of the poor to free clinical treatment by Sister Crysostom and those women of light struck me as a right noble gesture-some- what of the sweetness of Jesus seen in it-a whisper or the ultimate democracy that must leave disregard, forgetting. be- hind-a coming of what we call the King dom of God on earth. Those who are