The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-11-16
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

years and because of my position as ed- itor of the Alabama Baptist, the organ of the convention. I have had to keep in close touch with Baptist affairs.
 Every one felt that this, the seth ses- sion, was going to be one of the most
 important in the history of the Baptists
 in the state who, a few years back, cele- brated their centennial at Montgomery.
 
 It was an anxious lot of delegates who set out for Sylacauga. There were debts on the various institutions and enter prises that had to be met in some way if they were to be properly functioned. Nearly every growing denomination, like every active church, is in debt, or they are not doing much aggressive or con structive work.
 Bad crop years, with the advent of the war, for while, came near paralyzing some of the things which Baptists were doing. The mission boards felt the changed conditions. The colleges were put to the test The care of the orphans was burdensome. These and other press ing things were to be planned and cared for.
 I put in much time at the North Ala bama conference which met at Wood- lawn a few weeks back, and I learned many things from my Methodist breth- ren. Their enterprises cried out for help just like our Baptist ones. We Baptists have no monopoly on being hard up. When they talked of the Southern Uni versity and the Birmingham college need of funds, knew I would hear about the same thing in regard to Howard work out regarding our church schools that the other denominations have.
 Denomnational education looms large at this session. A forward movement Is going to be launched, both for the Judson at Marion, and the Howard at East Lake. Drs. Shelburne and Bomar, together with the educational secretary, are here to speed up the endowment under way when the war began and for time it was put aside.
 Dr. J. r. Love, secretary of the for eign missions board at Richmond, Va, Is here to put foreign missions on the hearts of the people. Few people real ize the ma gnitude of the work on the various fields. It swings around the globe Hundreds of consecrated women and earnest men are on the firing line and it takes hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the cause.
 Dr. Victor I. Masters is to speak for the home board in Atlanta, which finds it's field in the south, in the great cities, the mountain country, the great west, among the negroes and the Indians, and the Mex:cans, in the Isle of Pines, Pana ma and Cuba. It calls for scores of de- voted workers and vast sums of money. The soldier camps add an increased bur den, for the home board is caring for the Baptist interests in the southern camps.
 Few people realize the growth of what is known as the Laymen's movement. It has it's headquarters at Knoxville, Tenn. Dr. J. T. Henderson, the able secretary, has been here and presented the work to the convention in a great inspirational address. Darby Brown, Birmingham laymen, also made a tell ing talk. Dr. Henderson's special object was to enlist what he calls "emergency men" This means men who would agree to give $1o when called upon. Scores signed the pledge cards. This convention is noteworthy from the at tendance of so many prominent lay men
 The Orphans Home at Evergreen oc- cupied a large part of time and thought of the body. Many believe that the hour has come for forward movement to erect more modern buildings and insti- tute better accommodations in the way of technical training. It's a question close to the hearts of the people and some method will be devised to meet the needs of a constantly growing in- stitution Rev. John w. Stewart the superintendent in charge, is the man who founded the home. A number of women are on the board of trustees
 A cause which is growing in the af- lection of the Baptists is the aged and very close to the heart of Judge Henry B. Foster of Tuscaloosa. He has been at it for years, and in spite of set-backs and discouragements, has stood by it. He is about to see some of his dreams come true. It is now part of the reg ular organized work. The old soldiers Of the cross demand at least Christian treatment at the hands of the denomina- tions to which they gave the best por- tions of their lives.
 One of the features of the convention was the thrilling speech of Dr. Charles Daniel, pastor of the First Baptist church of Atlanta, who spoke in favor Of the army Y.. M. c. A. work. I wish every man. woman and child in Bir- mingham could have heard 1t. It would have made it easier for Frank Rushton and his committees to raise Birming- hams apportionment. He has been in the camps at work and spoke with first hand knowledge.
 pr. Charles A. Gardner of Louisville, Ky, was in attendance and made a strong plea for an educated ministry. He set forth the advantages of the Southern Baptist Theological seminary in such way as to make all of the