The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-11-14
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

q chummed with editors, have foregath- cred with preachers.
 The lawyer has his bar association, where he meets once a year with thelegal luninaries from all parts of the state, to hear set addresses by the big men Tn the profession, and to discuss the ques- tions which affect the interpretation or the administering of justice. The ses- sions are usually characterized by dig nity and intellectualness, but in private even judges unbend and the fellowship is great.
 I have been present on many occasions when the members of the press have come together for counsel, and to listen D speeches and papers, and to thresh out the ever present advertising problem, and to tackle the elusive circulation riddle. I have seen the newspapr boys act h public with perfect decorum, but after the meetings adjourned cut loose and perform like a gang of college boys out for sport.
 I have been much around religious conventions where preachers have fore- gathered to talk about kingdom affairs to listen to sermons, to hear missionary addresses, to try and solve church finances, to pian evangelstic campaigns, and to sing and pray. I have seen them looking so devout and pious that you terested in things mundane. But don't be fooled: when a crowd of parsons shake off their clerical pose, believe me, they are truly bunch of good fellows.
 Col. Noble Smithson, my old law part ner, gave me a good piece of advice when I was young limb of the law. I was doing society in those days. I was a member of the old Alabama club and of the then new Komos club. the two later coming together as the Southern club. I was also a member of card clubs, dancing clubs. and was one of the foun- ders of the Athletic club. It was sug- gested that the lawyers form club. It was the inception of the law library. It did not appeal to me as I was too much occupied with other clubs. I said as much
 
 me bit of fatherly counsel that was the real thing. Said he: Young man, learn early in fife to run with your set"
 The trouble with me now is that in try ing to live up to this admonition I am about to run myself to death, for when one lone man in this bustling twentieth century of specialized endeavor keeps up with one crowd he is going some. but am doing my dead level best to train with tho lawyers, stick with the press, and abide with the preachers, for love each ole of these professions. My only regret is that I failed to graduate in medicine. gave much study to it. If I had just gotten to be a physician l could have kept a weather eye on the doctors, and they are well worth watching. The whole truth of the business Is, I love my fel- 1ow-man, and as I have often said, care more for men and women than I do for things, and that is the reason I talk so much about the former and so little about the latter in my daily chats with the public in this column.
 This week I am running with the par sons, as the Alabama Ministers confer ence is in session at Sylacauga. in con- nection with the state convention. They are here from all parts of Alabama. Some come from the back woods while others flock from the city, but all are brethren, and there is absolutely no ciannishness between the city or the country preachers, but. on the other hand, delightful nlix-up. The country pastor needs the tang of the city worker, just as the city minister needs the breath of the country It is not merely clear ing house of ideas, but a market place for swapping experiences.
 I walk up to where a group of clergy men are standing. In the center city preacher is telling about the stress and strain of modern pastorate in grow ing metropolis. The country preacher learns of the heart-breaking demands on here and there on every conceivable pre- text, social. commercial, religious, until there is absolutely no time for study; but yet, Sunday rolls around and he must face cultivated and critical audience that cares nothing about his weekly work, but judges him solely by his Sum- day output. He paints picture shot through with discouragements. and ends with a sigh and a wish for country pastorate, and yet he knows that every one present knows that he couldn't be drawn into country pastorate with pair of oxen. He Is just letting off steam.
 When he is through, preacher from the country gets hearing. He tells of weary drives over bad roads in sum- mers heat and winters cold, of the pit tance received for serving churches. of the hard work he has to do in the fields during the week, of how impossible 1t Is to find time for study, and yet yearly in the communities in which he serves there is constant increase of young men and women who have had educational advan- tages, and want a man as pastor who is in touch with the great worlds doings and thoughts. He ends by saying: "I would like to get to town and try it for awhile," but down in his heart he knows he isn't prepared for the task, and that nothing could make him swap places with his city brother. He Is just unbos- oming himself.
 There may have been a time when jeal- ousy existed between thes city and the country preachers, but 1t is fast passing, as both are beginning to see that the city has its problems, just as has the coun- try, and that God needs laborers in both fields and that a man called to preach must be willing to serve where he can best do his work, and that there are enough burdens to be borne without tak- i,rr tivvrn fnr cnyr inc nd hot oF for n