The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-06-03
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

I wrote a short sketch for Sundays paper, "A Day of Prayer" but now I want to tell about a man of prayer who lives in our midst and who is one of Birmingham's greatest spiritual as- sets.
 l have known many brilliant preach CTS, have been acquainted with msny scholarly ministers, I have met many pastors with true shepherd hearts, but I believe I can count on the fingers of one hand the servants of the Lord who stand out pre- -eminently as praying men.
 Now, I love my brethren in the min istry, and this is bringing no railing accusation against them. for this is an age of activity, and meditation is lost art, and the prayer habit is on the wane, so far as private devotions are concerned if I am to believe the state ments of many of my friends.
 
 know that most Christians have set hours for private devotions, but as far I can gather the facts, they are rather formal and brief. I know this, that it is the hardest thing in the world for a preacher to have a real live. warm, and well attended prayer deal and it's my custom to drop in the churches on prayer meeting his nts. and it's usually a mighty lonesome place.
 Now, am not willing to go as far as Dr. Duncan says my lamented friend, Dr. Stagg, went, for said he, "One day Stagg met me on the street and asked if I had good prayer meeting, and I sorrowfully confessed that I did not. Well, don't take it too much to heart, replied the witty Presbyterian, for nine out of ten who tell you they have are doing bit of pious lying.'"
 This reminds of what happened at ministers meeting held day in ae- vance of the Baptist state convention of the topics was How to Revive the Prayer Meeting" pr. A. J. Dickinson created a sensation among the breth- ren by suggesting that they be abol- ished. He just wanted to start some- thing" and he surely succeeded.
 But I am digressing. This is not to be a discussion of prayer meetings, but an appreciation of a man of prayer, my tl, friend of every friendless, man, wom an and child in Greater Birmingham, for his big heart takes in all who need bit of attention and love.
 Sunday was his twenty y-ninth anni- versary in Birmingham. His pastorate of the Third Presbyterian church is by far the longest of any record held by any other preacher in the district. I believe his nearest rival is pr. Dickin- son, who has been at the, First Baptist church about IS years. Both are long pastorates. as pastorates go in these latter days
 Dr. Bryan came to little struggling church fresh from the Princeton semi nary. and went to work with zeal which soon marked him as a young man of rare conservation. By dint of hard work he has built up great con- ,gregation which now worships in q handsome. modern church building on the Southside. It is a monument to his untiring labors and unceasing prayers. ss>
 I think by unanimous consent pr. Bryan has become known as the Pco- ple's pastor. His parish is wider than his own denominational field. His en- ergy and consecration takes him to s,ll parts of the city. For years his gray horse and buggy. q gift of admiring friends who were not members of his congregation, was familiar sight throughout Greater Birmingham. I think he owns a Ford. Anyway.