The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-17
PLAN RALLY DAY FOR NEXT SUNDAY Men and Religion Forward
 Movement TO LAUNCH CAMPAIGN Statement Is Issued Giving Details of What Men Hope to Accom- plish by This Movement
 in America
TO LAUNCH CAMPAIGN

statement has been issued explaining just what the movement means.
 Sunday, September "A, will be observed all over America as rally day, and at this time the movement will be formally launched The pastors of all of the churches of Birmingham will preach ser mons at the morning services next Sun day on the significance of the move ment, and In the afternoon at 3:15 o'clock a great mems meeting will De held at the First Methodist church. Rev. Bop Jones of Montgomery will address the meeting on .tThe Call of Jesus Christ to Modern Man" D. H. Marbury, a mem- ber of the national committee of 97, will speak on Impressions of the National Movement.
 Short, addresses will be made by W. M. Cosby, chairman of the local committee of 100 and chairman of the several sub committees An orchestra and chorus of men will furnish the music. All men of Birmingham are invited to attend.
 What the Movement Means
 The Men and Religion Forward Move ment is designated "a national campaign in interest of the Christian welfare of the men and boys," and the following state ment in answer to the question, What 1t s?" has been issued:
 "On May IS, 1910, small group repre- senting various religious organizations of Christian men. met in a hotel In New York city. A common interest brought them together. In August another group spent two days in hotel at Niagara In De- tober 262 picked men, representing P cities and 33 states and provinces of North America, were together for two days at Buffalo The interest was still the same, but more intense. How can more men be brought into the church, and how can those who are In the church be aroused to such activity that we shall have a mighty crusade that will result In mak- ing this a better world?'
 Since that series of meetings the eyes and ears of the people of the United with increased frequency with the phrase. The Men and Religion Forward Move ment.' Now from every side there comes with steadily increasing urgency the de- mand, What is this movements?
 '1t is a simple recognition of the fact that conditions that maintain today must not be tolerated. It Is a part of the general interest manifested In all social and political circles. It sees the evil and is disturbed; 1t sees the remedy and Is aroused to action. The true dynamic for social and political improvement is the spiritual force, active or latent, in every man; that force which prompts ana can help every man to make the most of himself. This movement deals primarily with this force. Therefore, in a single sentence, we can say that this Is an ef- fort to so relate every man to the life of Jesus Christ that. so far as he is concerned, a better condition already ex- ists, and so far as he touches others, he will help them in the upward trend. It does not deal in beautiful generalities, but is most specific in saying that com plete manhood will be the result of a mans accepting all that Christ offers him, and of His giving all that he has to others. Impression and expression are the two key words.
 "The uniqueness of this movement is not in this emphasis. The fundamental features Of it are as old as the Chris tian religion. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neigh bor as myself. All that goes into the construction of an aeroplane is as old as the hills. Only the combination is new. but it is the combination that makes ii do. So that which'is unique in this move ment Is the combination, or combinations, for there are two. The first is of forces, the second is of message.
 we have had a great deal of discus sion about church union. Here we have some of the fruit of that discussion. Moved as by one spirit, the brotherhood of nine denominations and three great inter- Sunday School association. the Gideons and the international committee of Young Mems Christian associations, join hands and hearts in an effort to hasten Inc realization of the kingdom of God or earth
 This unity of action at once caught I the popular interest. yet to those who are l in the work it seems perfectly natural | Without discussion of creed, ritual ol polity. they plunged into the common task The message is to the whole man. The five great themes. boys work, Bible study, evangelism, social service, missions l look to the working out of the genera ideal of religious impression and re- ligious expression to the last detail. ITO understand this movement which Is so evidently gaining in momentum bot ! in cities and in rural districts, we must
 first know some of the purposes tha
 are in the minds and hearts of shose
 who brought it to the present stage. The Purpose
 Several facts should be taken into consideration: The first is that while the l church Is being severely criticised, here
 is a movement corelating the mascu- line forces of the continent, centerng ir a committee known as The Committee oi
 ST. composed of representatives from al parts of the United States and Canada and from all communions This commit l tee has accepted the responsibilities of ( | campaign which will reveal more fully | than ever the real power of this great
 institution. Surely this is declaration ot l faith that must encourage all who love
 the church. It is splendid evidence
 of vital strength. l "These men believe that for Christia. efforts to bear permanent fruit they must | be related to a tree that abides. Musl
 good Is done by independent workers, but I