The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-04-05
LEADERSHIP OF DR.
 FAREWELL INDORSED BY CONGREGATION
Resolution Adopted Com mending Activities of Rector and Urging
 Continuance

| By unanimous vote of a congregation
 that taxed the Church of the Advent
 to it's capacity at the I o'clock service yesterday morning, resolutions were
 adopted expressing the earnest hope that ] the Rev. Middleton s. Barnwell would 1 remain in the city and continue his lead ership as rector of the parish. During the early part of the service. 3 note of anxiety was apparent among the members of the congregation, as it was 1 rumored that MT Barnwell might make some announcement in reference to the recent call received by him from Mem phis church, and when at the conclusion of the singing of the offertory, Robert Jemison, senior warden, arose to present
 the resolutions his words were given eager and close attention by the congre- gation.
 In presenting the resolutions Mir Jemi- son stated that the rector had no knowi- edge of the action taken by the vestry or that the resolutions would be at this time presented. He said called meeting of the vestry had been held Saturday and that every member who was in the city was present, and declared that in his thirty-five years experience as vestry man he had never seen them more unani-
  Barnwelrs work as rector and the de- sire to have him continue his leadership here.
 In seconding the resolution, Judge John | c. Pugh paid fine tribute to MT. Barn. we'll as rector and citizen. When the vote on adoption was taken the congregation arose as one man. The matter will be further considered at meeting Of the vestry to be held tonight.
 NpSferAav morning were singularly beautiful and attractive, the musical part of the service being ap- propriate to the Easter tide Mir Barn well preached a timely and forceful ser mon on The Resurrection" In the after noon special childrens service was held in the church.
 The resolutions follow:
 The Rev. Middleton g. Barnwell came to Birmingham about six years ago to He had been with us but a few months before the world was plunged into the most cruel and devastating war of his- tory and into this great conflict our own country was eventually drawn. During the whole period of this great war-at times when it looked darkest for our cause and that of our allies-our rector eloquent voice was heard, not only from his own pulpit, but in many places throughout this state and district, in- stilling courage and bidding us be of good cheer.
 ''We were glad to have him render this service to the community and we feel proud of the record he made during those trying days. By his eloGuence, patriotism and Iovable personality during those dark days, Mir. Barnwell endeared himself to many staunch friends who are not mem bers of this parish, nor indeed of the Episcopal church. In the hearts and deep affections of his own congregation, MT. Barnwells place was already secure. Now that this war is happily ended and the hearts and minds of our people are no longer absorbed and engrossed by it. the vestry and the congregation of the Church of the Advent feel that the parish is entering upon an era of greater influence and usefulness in this com munity and in the diocese of Alabama. In this ever widening sphere of service we hope that our parish may continue to have the splendid leadership of our pres ent rector
 Therefore, be it resolved, That we earnestly urge MT. Barnwell, our rector, to continue his labors with us. We ex- press the earnest hope that he will reach the conclusion that in this dioceses, in this city, and in this parish, where he has made so many friends, he will 1nd as fruitful a field for service as is to be found elsewhere