The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-22

reached the intellect as well as touched the heart, and how, with words that
 burned, he spoke of the abiding value of Gods promises; of the grandeur of the cross, and the power of the resurrection, and there are thousands today who have a vivid recollection of the third bishop
 of our diocese, how in the gentle tones he told of the duties of daily life and urged men to more perfect obedience
 and so even this brief review will enable
 us to understand how faithfully the Word of God has been declared in this diocese; how the whole truth as it is in Jesus has been presented and how its value has been shown, and recognizing these facts, we can thank God for the labors of our chief pastors who have passed away, as
 well as praise Him for His blessing upon | it's results.
 Follows His Predecessors
 And when we came to the episcopate | of our present Rt Rev. Father in God we find man who may justly rank with | those we have named. Following in the 1 footsteps of such predecessors and know | ing something of their history, he real ized from the first the great responsbili- | ty which came to him with his office and
 most ably has he met it. With an earn- | est purpose, a strong will and an abiding faith in Gods promises he has sought | to carry on the work. He has strength ened the agencies already in operation and encouraged their continuance, and | with peculiar zeal has identified himself | with the missionary work of the diocese,
 pressing it's claims at all times, in season ] and out of season, and on all occasions making it the most prominent subject | of discussion.
 | But it has been in the preaching of the gospel that his work is most to be com | mended. He has recognized not only the authority of the church whose commission he holds, but also the wisdom of the methods she has provided for declaring
 Gods will to the world. In all his preach
 ing his constant effort has been to teach | the truth as this church hath received l and held the same and to bring the dio- cese, both as to doctrine and practice into | harmony with the will of God as taught 1 In the Book of Common Prayer. Looking
 back, then, through the 10 years of his 1 episcopate and paying especial regard to
 the matter of preaching, we can devoutly
 thank God that our chief pastor has been | a prayer book churchman. He has turned away from all novelties and preferred to
 walk in the old paths. In all questions of doctrine he has held the faith once de- | lvered to the saints and in all utterances | in behalf of the truth, the trumpet has
 never given an uncertain sound.
 Like a Clarion
 l His voice has rung out like a clarion
 call, clear. distinct and forceful, proving l him to be a leader in whom men may
 trust and one whom his clergy may safe | ly follow. As the result of his work the | diocese of Alabama occupies in the eyes | of the world today a most enviable posi-
 tion. Free from dissension, united as re gards the faith, practically harmonious
 as to all matters ritual and strong in the | purpose to win souls to Christ, she can | proudly take her place in the ranks of | the church militant prepared to do good | work in the service of her Lord. And as | we rejoice to know and acknowledge l these truths each priest here present
 must understand that he can do much to
 make these blessings permanent. The l wisest, the holiest, the most devoted bishop in the land cannot do this work | nor accomplish these results alone He must have the aid and guidance of the | Holy Spirit. Unless the Lord shall keer the city, the watchman waketh but in
 vain. We may well join therefore in the earnest prayer that Gods blessed Spirit
 may be poured out upon our beloved Father in God during the continuance oi his work here, and that the fruits of that Spirits presence may be seen in the wis.
 dom and justice of his course; in his | judgment in all matters of controversy in his courage under trial and in his patience and forbearance under every affliction. We can pray that the Spirit may be his constant guide, may prompt
 every effort, may bless every word ant In all his ministrations may keep evei before his mind the truth, that he come. with a message from the most high God
 and that his eternal destiny depends upon the faithfulness with which tha
 message is delivered
 He needs also the active cooperation of the parochial clergy. and I am sur, there can be to him no more gratefu
 memory associated with this day than tc recall 1t as an occasion on which hi, clergy pledged to him their purpose o loyal cooperation: their determination b, all means to uphold his hands; then re solve to extend to him their sympathy for even to St. Paul the care of all tn, churches was a burden. and their effor
 to follow him in the work of preaching the gospel
 If this is done we may expect a con tinuance of Gods blessing and hope tC | x4r