The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-08-29
MEN, WOMEN
AND THINGS

Blount
For more than fifteen years 1 have
been in touch with the good people OF
Blount, for it has been my pleasure and
privilege to attend the annual sessions
of the Blount county Baptist associa-
ton.
1t SO happened for the second time
within a few. weeks I found myself
under the sheltering care of the Metho-
dist parsonage. Upon my arrival on
Monday afternoon with Mr.. Barnett,
Leon Bradley, and H. H. Harper of the
Age-Herald staff, 1 learned that the
Central hotel was crowded and that
we would have to double up.
Despite the fact that it was a con-
genial party 1 was bit worried for 1
have found that 1 get a much better
nights sleep If / have a room to my
self and / am sure it's to the the best
interest of any friend not to have to
been accused of snoring; and so it was
agreeable all around for me to accept
kind invitation from Brother Lester
to occupy the phophets chamber in his
hospitable home.
Now in spite of his cordial invita-
ton 1 wouldn't have accepted if the
in town for would have rung Brother
Locke's front door bell and told him
that had come to spend the night with
him, but he was away holding meet
ing. 1 just wouldn't have had the
nerve to let the Methodist preacher be
put to the trouble of caring for a
Baptist brother two times hand run
ming.
But is was a joy to be with Brother
Lester, for he is one of the old time
preachers man of God ripening into
the later sixties with a radiant face
turned towards the cross. 1t was
doubly dear to me to be in his com
pany for there was something in his
genial manner and kindly face that
brought constantly before me my own
sweet spirited father who years ago
went to his reward.
Mrs. Lester was away on a vacation,
and we had the house to ourselves. In
this great city where the papers bring
to US stories of burglaries it was quito
relief to find that the parsonage doors
were left unattached and no thought was
given to providers or thieves. 1t speaks
well for Oneonta that it is made up of
such honest and law abiding citizens,
that there is - need for the boiling or
locking of doors.
Brother Lester is happy in his pastor
ate. He loves his people and he is
beloved by them. 1 heard good things
said about him everywhere went. 1t
was small wonder when I learned that
it was his daily programme to visit at
least five homes day and have prayer
with the family. This Used to be the
custom but / fear in these hustling
times it is fast falling into disuse
There is danger that the pastor will
or become mere pulpiteer.
When Brother Lester told me about
his daily visits among his flock 1 in
formed him that my esteemed friend
DR.. J. c. Morris, once pastorNof some
of the greatest charges in southern
Methodism, but now superannuated and
living in Birmingham was serving the
First Methodist church by visiting in
the homes of it's members carrying joy
and comfort. 1t appealed strongly to
him, and he fervently said Its the
kind of work / love to do"
am strong for the big hearted young
men who are giving themselves to the
ministry and it is a source of pride
to watch their enthusiasm and aggres
siveness. Young blood is needed bot
there is a touch which only the older
men hallowed in service can give, and
there come times in our lives when
we need the ministration of the saints
more than we do the supporting power
of the more virile young men who have
not been seasoned in lifes sorrows and
battles.
While brother Lester is yet in the
sixties, he has been in the ministry
nearly two score years, and one of his
proudest possessions consists in the pal,
of saddle bags which he bought and
used in his first years itinerancy wher
he served nine churches covering thirty
miles. The young preachers ,'of this
generation owe debt of gratitude te
the circuit riders who blazed the way
for them and made their paths.
I asked Brother Lester if he was
reared in Alabama and he replied in
the affirmative and added the state
ment that he owned the home in Shelby
county in which he was born, and that
his father under the act passed II
Martin Van Buren's administration had
purchased it from the government al
twelve and half cents per acre, but
that about all that he had ever gotten
out of it had been derived from the
sale of timber as it was not very fertile
IS
During his wife's absence Brother
Lester was eatitg around with his
members. He kindly asked me to Join
him on Tuesday morning, but when he
told me that 1 would have to get up at
six o'clock and walk up the road about
a mile, 1 decided in spite of the fact
that he promised be there would be a