The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-07
A JUST TRIBUTE TO A MAN OF THE PEOPLE

Twenty-fve years ego today Rev,
 James Alexander Bryan preached his
 first sermon in this city as pastor of the
 Third Presbyterian church. One half oi
 his life has been spent in service among
 the poor and suffering of Birmingham. Nr. Bryan was born in Williamsburg,
 S C., March 2, 1863. He received his pre-
 paratory education at Loveioy academy,
 Raleigh, N. C., before entering the uni-
 versity of that state. Graduated from
 the university with the honor of class
 orator, and was awarded debaters'
 medal in 1885. Afterwards took a course
 of Hebrew at the University of Virginia,
 and later entered Princeton, graduating
 from the latter in May 1889; and since
 coming to his present work has twice
 been offered the chair of Greek and He
 brew at Princeton.
 He has lived among the people of this
 community 9 years. and probably nearer
 to their hearts than any man among us
 He found a congregation of 37. and
 during his administration 1890 members
 have been admitted to his church. The
 church has met every responsibility to
 every general assembly. every synodical
 and presbyterial cause-an achievement to be proud of as his congregation is not one of wealth. Many of his friends are among the working classes; he is known in every shop and factory of Greater Birmingham, and among them he holds r meetings each week. Mr Bryan keeps d record of his work, and this indicates the average daily service of five sick calls, two services a day. one marriage and three funeral services a week At some of his funeral services Tor foreigners he has an interpreter some of these are weird and doubly sad, often held at midnight with torches MT. Bryan came to his work al a criti- cal period of the city's. growth when the boom had left hundreds of families without work, and many without bread | lie grasped the situation with the hero l ism of general; he was eager for their | spiritual welfare, and he was determined | Tor thelr bodily care. He took the town l and sought jobs for the idle he collected | eatables and wearing apparel and he distributed them where they were most | needed. He has seen the great city | grow; he has worked among her thistles and has polished many of her thorns. HefN works in the sums and amid the crime and vice, as a doctor among his | patients. He carries them faith and | hope; he gives them charity-that charity | one would give a friend. His influence | IS Widespread; today he has missions 1 springing from his love in Ensley and | Pratt City, and a Presbyterian mission | school among foreigners-four flourish | Ing day schools and night school in l Ensiey and Pratt City and splendid | Sunday schools, too. At Ensey mission | they have engaged the services of a for | elgn speaking pastor-the congregations , of Italians, Poles, Bohemians, | slavs, Russians, Swedes Sicilians, Nor wesians and Greeks. These attend the schools also
 Many, even among strangers who felt | the results of his labors and knew the need of his great movement among the made up a purse and presented him with horse and buggy. The pre- sentation took place in front of a livery stable on First avenue and NIr Bryan could only thank God for such fellow men.
 .He came to us a young man-just be- yond the border of 9 years-and today, | at 5l, he lives every day the life of doing | good. He married Miss Lenora Howze | of Marion, Ala, in 1891, and they have an l