The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-10-22

HHG7NHERE is only one higher re-
sponsibility than becoming a
x teacher in Young Peoples
work in the church, and that is not be-
coming one"
Miss Anna Branch Binford, director
of the work for boys and girls for the
Presbyterian church of the United States
which is the Southern Presbyterian
church-and who is a distinguished mem
Der Of the faculty of the school of
Methods" now in session in Birmingham,
gave expression to her opinion regard
ing the necessity of young peoples work
in the church, in the foregoing words
yesterday, when I asked her to give me
her views relative to such matters.
Placing the youth of the church above
and beyond all else, declaring that the
young people of this day are the foun-
dation stones on which religion and
Christianity are to be built, stressing
their growth" as the main thing in re-
gard to church work and it's effective
ness Miss Binford in her sweet, natural,
human way told me interestingly of her
affiliation with the young peoples work
and how she believed in it and loved it.
Not dealing in technicalities-for she
hates high flown terms and language
that is not Observation-Disclosures Bin
ford said:
81 like the evolution of the figure Of
speech which has been used in regard
to the work of the young people. For
instance, the work used to be spoke OF
as work for the young people; then it
went step ahead and was alluded to
as work with the young people, and
now it has come into its own when it is
referred to as work by the young peo-
pie, and like that last figure of speech
in this connection.
Let me illustrate what I mean" Miss
Binford said: II read a little story once
about the two well known comedians,
Weber and Fields One of the come
dams told the other that he had bought
'Whitesley Exerciser,' and that he
liked it very much! Has it done you
any good?' asked the other. No, !
haven't used it. Haven't used it emf
the other exclaimed. No; do you use it?'
said he. Well. that's the idea exactly,
and it illustrates my point perfectly.
Here we are with all our theories and
plans; we come together and talk and
discuss things and make a big fuss, but
do we go home and use all this?
THE practical application of our meth
DDS is what counts Miss Binford said.
Practice, not theory.
another thing" Miss Binford con-
tinued, "that I am very insistent upon
and I am trying to convey intelligently,
is that the Sunday school alone is not
responsible for our young people, but
the church itself is acceptable. OF
course, the church is offering chal-
lenge to our young people, to serve,
must make it very clear that it is not
an easy job; that it will take the very
heart of the work. his mind, his thought,
his ability, his sacrifice. but it is worth
all this and more.
81 repeat again what ] said before"
Miss Bfnford continued. "There is only
one higher responsibility than becoming
a leader in the young peoples work of
the church, and that is not becoming
one I have been so impressed since l
have been in Birmingham with the great
numbers of young men here; keep won
dering when I see them in gatherings,
at the hotels in the cafes. everywhere,
if they are being asked by the church