The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-08-30
MEN, WOMEN
AND THINGS

vice at the keys reached the age where
he was unfit either for railroad or
commercial work. and was eking out
precarious living as news butch"
There is something always pathetic
to me about the old man who has failed
and is forced in the declining years
of his life to do uncongenial labor l
am not much on giving to beggars who
solicit me for aims, but / have never
yet turned down one who has passed
middle age.
Most of the churches have pensions
or funds to care for the aged and in
firm min tters. or late there has been
much agitations upon the subject and
large responses, but for years it was a
drag and the old shepherds were sadly
neglected, until it became a bitter say
ing in the mouths of some. that like
worn out horses they had been turned
Gut to Craze.
AS editor of the Alabama Baptist l
used my voice and pen to try and stir
my brethren to do their duty in car
ing for the old soldiers Of the cross.
1t was on the heart of DR.. w. B. Crump-
IN for years, and Judge Henry B.
Foster was much interested. 1 am
glad to state that it is now part Of
the work of the denomination and is
under the care of the state executive
committee.
The question used 30 ccr'N
association, for usually there was one
or more who needed help Ordinarily
some preacher or laymen would re-
port on the work and then the speech
! making to be followed by collection
was in order. The rule was that the re-
cipients were always silent and sat back
patiently awaiting the pittance laid
upon the table for their support
But one day things began to happen
lively after the reading of the usual
ministers, for before any one could
get the floor to speak to it up arose a
| man of giant build and patriachical
manner. He made commanding figure
as he lowered above the crowd with
his snow white hair and long flowing
beard He might have sat to Thor
waldsen for a statue of Moses.
And then witnessed one of the
most unique but courageous things
| that was ever staged in religious as
| sembly. No one knew just what was
going to happen, but all were aware
that the man of God confronting them
had been stricken with paralysis and
was unable to serve his country
| churches and that he would have to
be cared for by the ministerial board.
1t would have been perfectly con-
ventional for him to have exhibited
his affection and made an emotional ap-
peal for help in his trouble; but there
wasen't the least sign of weakness or
the hint that he was an object of
charity; but manhood breathed from his
counternance and there was authority
| in his voice as he stated his case as
openly and as freely as if he was seek
ing aid for another.
I'll never forget his expression or the
domino ting words which fell from his
lips looking around him he said:
From my youth up have lived in this
association and the manner of my life
is known. have been about the Lords
business while most you have been
1oo
in your homes at the birth of your
children. 1 have seen them grown up
and united in marriage. and then I
have put many of them away in the
grave.
By this time tears were gently flow
| ing down many of the women's cheeks
| and the men were shamefacedly pull
ing .out their handkerchiefs and wiping
their glasses. He continued: Il am now
old and worn out and the Lord has laid
his Hand heavily upon me so that
can no longer make living for myself
and wife, and that is why I am calling
| on you to come up here and put down
on this table enough to care for us
while we live"
IL He stood there mighty man of God
unashamed that he was calling on his
neighbors to support him. His very
manhood appealed to the audience and
one by one up rose men from all parts
of the congregation who went forward
and instead of putting down dimes and
1 quarters covered the table with bills
and put them in his pocket, and MUIR
INJURED few words of thanks and sat
| down.
| Thank God for the man who old and
! dependent yet has an unbroken spirit
and can look his fellow man. in the
eye and demand fair treatment because
his past life has been one of service
man whose name was a household word
/ in the religious homes of the south.
! for he had filled the greatest pulpits
/ in America Finding himself without
means was quietly packing up his little
belongings when in came some friends
and asked him what he was doing,
"oh" said he, n was just getting
ready to go out to the poor farm. No
one had realized that he was in such
dire distress and provision was made
| to care for him for the remainder of