The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-20
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

1 I was interested in a talk >- by Dr James E. billiard, pastor of the tsouthside Baptist church, Birmingham. made before the Realtors at a recent Thursday dinner at the Southern club.
 
 The topic itself was catchy, "Bir- mingham Seen Through a Preachers Eyes" I have never believed in put ting the professions in water-tight compartments. but it's the usual GUS tom to regard preachers as in a sep arate class.
 Personally, I am glad that more and more the ministry is coming down from the rarefied atmosphere of the with the workers. believe that every true minister ought to be alone with God much in secret prayer, for it's to be his source of inspiration and strength for his daily tasks where the sheep need to be wisely shepherded.
 
 There is danger, however, that an aloofness from the world may spring up unconsciously and thereby cause pastors to get out Vf sympathetic touch with their fellow man. Asceticism may have had a place in the religious life of the church; but I have never felt that it was the best way to serve God. My heart has always gone out to the pastors who watched over their lfocks, | Of al TlAxx sw- Ixtxk every day.
 It ought to be source of pride that here in Birmingham the ministry has always taken strong stand in every rivic betterment and has always rung a clear note when the best interests of the community in morals, education and business was concerned. I have lived in quite few cities and affiliated with various ministers conferences, but nowhere have I ever found finer set of men than the ones which make up the Pastors Union here.
 Time was when a minister's presence at any other than religious gathering was commented upon, but now if some of the cloth are not in attendance on social, business and even political func- tions, it is cause for wonderment. I am sure that Field Marshal Frank | Rushton could not have operated the allied armies SO successfully if he had not been able to ring in a Presbyterian preacher at every set dinner. I'll admit that on rare occasions members of other denominations were used, but he stuck mighty close to his crowd. I like a man who does this. have al- ways been "a denomnationalist and a party man.
 But in spite of the fact that more and more preachers are ming1ing in eevry- day affairs, by reason of their { high calling, they are expected to bring to each public question a breadth of view broadly based on good morals I know of no city in which the preach CTS are more respected than they are here in Birmingham, or more called upon to take part in the active life of , men of affairs. I meet them every where I go and I am always proud of the way they are received and the man. ner in which they acquit themselves. I
 I know full we'll that in some of the , heated campaigns of 8 few years back the cry of the political parson' was raised and used with good political ef- feet, but the men who pilloried the few conspicuous leaders in the ministry who were much in the limelight, I am sure gave them credit for being men | of convictions and courage. Now that the issue which brought about the charge is practically settled so far as politics is concerned, I feel that any grievances will be buried both by the , political parsons" and the "practical politicians,
 I am sure, however, that if any one still clings to the idea that the ministry , can be frightened by the fear of being | reprobated by those who may seek to foist upon the public anything which tends to lower the moral status of Bir- | mingham, they will find that the ) Ministers Union is still in good fight , 1 ing trim. But this is only one phase of the matter, for they will be just as ready to pull off their coats and go out and battle for anything which will 7 be for the general uplift of the old , town.
 But back to Dr. billiard and his bright and informing talk before the Realtors, and by the way some of the best addresses hear are at the weekly l luncheons of this very live body of public-spirited citizens. It will be re- called that Dr. billiard flatly turned OOWn all OVeTLureS or AJne SOutnSlue Baptist church and the matter of get ting a pastor dragged along for weary . months, as the church seemed to be , unable to agree on any one else save the man from Missouri. But by pa , tient waiting and everlasting persever- ance he finally yielded and moved into our midst.
 He told the Realtors why he came ., First. of course, because he felt that 1t was a clear call to service, but after this it was not on account of the sky scrapers, or the fact that a man could '' stand at given point and throw a rock in one direction and cause it tc < drop above an iron mine. not because he could cast it in different direc- U tion and make it light above a coa' . outcropping, not because he could still = toss it another way and lose it in a lime quarry, but because of the spirit ], of the people. the beauty of the sur roundings and the wonderful climate.
 He gave an amusing account of how . he feared that he would be unable tc endure the hot summers and how care fully he packed his two big electric Il 1 fans, but how as yet he had never beer . put to the trouble tS install them, as Il the nights had always been comfort able. To us it was bitter day out Il side. but he laughingly said, CT have a fine fur coat which I have not beer able to wear on account of the mild
 ness of your winters, and am at present 2 | uea ring a iphtwei pht ono mt hocauSf