The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-12
MEN, WOMEN
AND THINGS


Now this honor belongs to DR.. Leslie
Gwaltney, who in the year he has been
editor has more than made good, and
the paper now that it is owned by the
denomination is growing in circulation
and influence.
At last thing is coming to pass which
! for years seemed hopeless, for this time
there is a large delegation Of influential
INaymen from all parts of the state. For
l. long time the convention was held
In the summer on the theory that the
business men were too busy to attend In
the fall but it soon developed that it
was a question of seasons but one of in
difference.
Every year that we came up to the
convention there was a constant talk
about it's being run by preachers. 1t was
largely true, but it was not the fault
of the ministry, but resulted from the
fact that if it had been left for the lay
men to do it there wouldn't have been
quorum present. This state of things
| got to be distressing and so an extra ef-
fort was made to get them out this
time.
| I suppose I know the personnel of the
Baptists of Alabama as well as any one
in the state with the exception of DR..
w. B. Crumpton, the old hero. who for
more than two score years has given
his life to keeping in touch with them
and touching them up. 1t is true that
DR. w. F. Marlborough, the present secre-
tary. is fast getting an acquaintance
with them, but being reared in Missis-
him.
| The Rev. John w. Stewart, the super
| intendent of the orphans home, is an
other man who has statewide knowl-
| edge of the Baptists, for he has devoted
years of work to the upbuilding of the
institution which was founded by him in
til II is able to care for several hundred
chilcren. He knows and is known, and
is greatly beloved throughout the length
and breadth of the state as a hard
working and conscientious worker.
|
Dr. William H. Smith, the president of
the convention, is an Alabama man who
in spite of the fact that for years he
lived outside of the state, has wide cir
Gle of friends. He gave up the work as
one of the secretaries of the foreign
missior board at Richmond, Va, to take
lup the work in Alabama as the secretary
of the educational work, and this has
made it necessary for him to go up and
down the state.
The Rev. M. M. Wood, the secretary
of the convention, is to the manor born
and he keeps in touch with the brethren
for it falls upon him to correct the list
of the preachers each year for the con-
vcntion minutes, and - do this he has tc
overlook the associational minutes be
sides doing much correspondence. He
is also the statistical secretary, and
has won the love and esteem of the de-
nomination for his painstaking and la
borious service.
The convention elected this session tive
of the most prominent laymen in the
state for vice presidents. One a banker
and the other school teacher. D. c
Cooper of oxford is. however more thar
a banker, for he is both deacon il
his church and the moderator of the Cal
boun Baptist association. DR.. Henry L
Wiilingham is no mere professor, fol
having been the state superintendent o.
education. and at present the presiden
of the Florence Normal, he takes a liv,
interest in social, religious and civic mat
ters.
DR.. ]. r. Hobbs, the pastor Of the FRS
Baptist church, who is the host of tn,
convention, in spite of the fact thai HI
has not lived here very long has al
ready made a name for himself with hi,
people as a fine organizer and forcefu
preacher, and has impressed himself
upon the community by his firm stand fol
civic Righteousness. In the absence o.
DIR. B. D. Gray, a former pastor of tn,
First church, who is in Cuba, 1t will fal
Upon DR.. Hobbs to represent the HON,
mission board.
| I do not know who will represent thu
foreign mission board, for as yet no on
from Richmond has put in his appear
ance but the Southern Baptist Theolog
Iical seminary at Louisville will be abb,
taken care Of by DR.. P. T. Hale, who To-
years was pastor of the Southside Bap
fist church, and who numbers hi'
friends in Birmingham and the state b,
the hundreds. DIR. Hale is a charming
man socially and delightful speaker
and is peculiarly gifted in getting larg'
gifts for the seminary.
|
The representative Of the Sunday schoo
board is not yet on the ground, but
reckon it will be DR.. I. j. Van Ness tn
able secretary, who is in one of the great
est positions of trust within the bounds
OF the southern Baptist convention. DR.
Van Ness has had extensive experience
as pastor, editor and secretary He stand
in the very front rank among the Sun
day school men of America, and is mucl
sought for on occasions where great con
venti0ns of Sunday school workers com
together for conference and inspirations
addresses.
1 ran across Dr. C. c. Carroll. the schol
arly son Of the great Carroll of Texas
who occ,1pied a niche of his own in tn