The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-12-04


general assembly. and today this move
ment is represented by 10000 laymen.
who are actively engaged in promotion
of interests of the church.
These progressive programmes" he
explained. under the auspices of the
systematic beneficence and steward
ship committee. are being conducted by
the laymen in series of conventions
for synods of Southern Presbyterian
church
The purpose of the Alabama con-
vention, which opens today at 2
o'clock at the First Presbyterian
church, is to intensity and enlist wider
interest in systematic giving to benef-
icent causes of the church
You know" he assured, with
smile, "Presbyterians are noted for do
ing everything in systematic way, and
the main interest of all the progressive
programmes of the laymens movement
is to enlist tithers, and interest people
to count the missionary work of the
church at home and abroad, on the
daybook with other living expenses.
ut is surprising, too" Mr.. Snyder
marveled, ito watch this spirit of CIV
ing grow. Why, 1 know laymen who
used to give only one per cent of their
incomes that have increased it to SO
per cent-not only the 1.-THE, but max
ing gifts to home and foreign mission
ark work, because. as practical bust
ness men they are interested in the
practical work the church is doing.
Il remember well one very wealthy
layman, who attended the New Or
leans convention in 1913" Mr.. Snyder
said, where he became so enthusiastic
that he began tithing his income. Since
then he has become more and more in
terested; more and more alive to the
needs of the community, and the calls
of the church for equipped hospitals
and orphanages and schools, that now,
after having set aside a certain
amount he considers adequate for liv-
ing expenses he is giving his entire
annual income to the Christian social
service of the church.
There are others like him, too" as,
sured Mr.. Snyder, mot only interested
in work at home, but men who would
not listen to any call for foreign mis-
sions five years ago, are now support
Ing MISSIONARIES on LHe IOTeISn liclu
This is a result of educational work
of laymen's movement You see," he
insisted, "the winning of a mans pock-
etbook means the winning of his heart.
SO the laymen's movement is very sure
of the deep interest of one who con-
sents to pay the 1.-THE or give larger
gifts"
In the interest of the synod's quota
of s4,oo0,000 for 1920-21, Hon. Borden
Burr will speak at the convention, and
reports will be given on Friday from
churches of Alabama that have already
gone over the top
A report will be given of the Meth
odist centenary campaign for one mil
lion tithers by DR.. P. B. Wells, who
takes part on the programme of Mr..
M M Davies, detained in Atlanta.
The programme will also include con-
sideration of the interchurch move
ment conservation services, demonstra-
tons of every member canvass, and
plans will be presented for reaching
unenlisted churches.
Among the distinguished speakers
listed on Mr.. Snyder's register are Mr..
J. B. Spillman of Columbia, S. c., who
will address the assembly on THE
Result of the Whole Church Tithed,"
and Rev William Grove of Memphis,
Tenn, who will deliver the closing ad-
dress of the convention on "Evangeliz-
ing America for the Speedy Evangel-
ization of the World"
after hearing Mr.. Spillman speak,
Mr.. Snyder said, zone will consider
church advertising not only attractive
but necessary.
another interesting visitor" he
said, as he scanned the registration list,
sis Mr.. A. D. Maso nof Memphis, re-
ty,v al y,oic arxr
Capt. r. L. Slaymaker, Athens, Ca.
one of our ex-army officers and sec
rotary of Laymen's Missionary move
ment, Is here, together with Rev. Ru-
therford Lapsley of Admission; Mr.. F..
H. Scharinghaus of Knoxville, Tenn,
Mr.. H. B. Arbuckle of Davidson. N, c..
and Rev ]. c. Mcqueen of Aliceville,
Ala"
But for fear the long list of we'll
known laymen might take more than
the space of my small corner. Mr.. Sny
der ands 1 just decided to adopt the
privileges of the society editor to add
land others"
zone thing, though before your
small corner is filled, I want to say
for my church." reminded Mr.. Snyder.
Rather I'll quote DIR. s. L. Morris gem
eral secretary of executive commit
tee, home mission work, who made the
statement in our little church lately,
that Vine street was one of the few
churches in the general assembly that
never fails to live up to a systematic
percentage of giving to all causes
So we are sure, from Mr.. Snyders
own former statement, that since the
purses of Vine street members have
been won their hearts also belong to
the great interests of the church. And
this is the sense of the Presbyterian
progressive programme conducted by
the Laymen's Missionary movement,
which in this convention calls upon ev-
cry church to make the investment of
service and substance to causes that
are worth while.