The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-18

The older generation will recall those mighty theologians and pulpit orators-Stuart Robinson of Louis- vile, Dr. Hummer and Dr. Moses D. l Hoge of Richmond, Dr. Dabney of Hampton Sidney, Va., and Benja- min Palmer of New Orleans; those and many others. They were leaders in their days, but men of ripe scholar ship and magnetic personality have risen up to take their places.
 Routine business that will occupy some of the time of this assembly will relate to missions-foreign and home publications and Sunday schools and church education and ministerial relief. The question of organic union with the northern church usually comes up for discussion. During the past twenty years the two bodies have seemed about to forget their past diff ferences and become organically one, as they are now one in all the essen tials of Presbyterian fellowship and doctrinal standards. But when all appeared to be ready for final action technical points came up to balk the reunion scheme. It is reasonable to assume that the time is not far dis tant when there will be no north or no south church, but simply one Pres byter1an church in the United States of America. The combined communi- cant membership of the northern and southern bodies is about 1,830,0OO
 The southern general assembly last met in Birmingham ten years ago. The First church was then host. The commissioners, or delegates, and the visitors were hospitably entertained, and the weather was ideal at that time, just as it is now. This fifty seventh assembly is meeting with a characteristic Birmingham welcome. The summer type of pressure distri- button" is announced by the weather sharps. In other words, it is now safe to put on one of those transparent summer suits that make thin man look like an x-ray picture.
 The American censorship seems to be working fairly well. At least, that flo- tilla of torpedo-boat destroyers got across the Atlantic before the public knew they had left home.
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 The Iowa preacher who told his con- gregation that if he had his way he would sink every battleship and discharge every enlisted soldier is now looking for new congregation.
 
 The critics say Kipling has done his best work, but there is a new poem of his on this page today which shows that he still has some of his old-time poetic punch.
 Those low scoundrels who rob churches ara h, +l,o sor,n o1o.z fiji. .1- o,. thief who stole wedding dress with an eight-foot train, and June almost here. A Texas judge accepted a sack of po- tatoes in payment of s1O fine. The first thing we know some fellow is going to try to pay his alimony that way. s * Ten American factories are said to have put their girl employees into overalls Bertha M. Clay's heroines were never dressed like that.
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 A movie star says she has to work hard. Still, it's the director who Is a ! nervous wreck when the days work is done
 Spain seems to be popular in Germany, but it isn't the kind of popularity that the Spanish people care about particu- larly.
 If the attendance at Mobiles baseball park had kept on decreasing, the players would soon have outnumbered the specta- tors
 | The old-fashioned man who wears red | flannel underwear until June 1 has son who runs around the streets in gym suit when the thermometer is below zero.
 The agitation to prevent corn from being made into whisky is another rap at the downtrodden "moonshiner'' | * * *
 The lad who enlsts in the navy will have to conquer seasickness before he | tackles the Germans.
 
 Strict attention to the garbage can is certainly going to put the alley cats on short rations.
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