The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-24
ReUiual Seruice At First
 Cumberland Presbyterian
 Church Is Great Success
Rev James M McLeskey of Memphis Is Making Converts and Drawing Large Congregations of Interested Hearers-lnterest Steadily Growing in
 the Work Being Done

Seldom has a Birmingham church been visited by a more earnest evangelist than Rev. James M. McLeskey, pastor of Gen. tral Church of Memphis. who is conduct ing revival services at the First Cum berland Presbyterian Church. Norwood.
 Interest in the daily services has grown during the past week, many have joined the church and large congregations have greeted the young minister as he deliv- cred ''the fire engine sermon" '.the auto mobile sermon" and others that brought equally stirring messages on the vital questions of the day.
 This morning at the II o'clock service the subject of Doctor McLeskey's ser- mon will be, '"The Bible and Its Pur- posa.''
 Although Doctor McLeskey has been in tho ministry ten years, his bearing Is almost boyish. save for the earnestness of his eyes and the thoughtful mien that is habitual.
 WHY HE BEGAN
 ''why did begin preaching at sixteen, even before was out of college?" he inquired. Because it was the most na- tural thing in the world for me to do; and it was that which wanted to do most
 Tn my study in Memphis he ex- plained, hangs a portrait of my great grandfather who was a minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Just below that is a portrait of my grand father between two of his brothers. the three of whom were ministers of the same denomination, and below these, very near my desk, is the picture of my father. who is minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Above these three generations IS the picture of my great great grandfather. who was a minister before the Cumberland Pres bytertan Church came into existence"
 Doctor McL.eskeys father is one of the we1l-lcnown ministers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the United States He is editor of all the Sunday school lit- erature used by the denomination, and is also general secretary of the young peo- ples work. So it is that the mantle of many generations of prophets has fallen upon the successor now preaching in Birmingham, whose ministry in Memphis has been 50 greatly blessed that his con- gregation has increased during the five years he has held the pulpit, from 100 members to 500 Last Sunday marked the beginning of the sixth year of Doctor McLeskey's pastorate in the church that is not only alfve to the interests of home missions, but which is supporting house of worship and a minister of the Tichong mission in Kang1n, China, village of 1e,000 people.
 In speaking of the home mission work of his church, Doctor McLeskey said: GREAT INTEREST
 "Our congregation is taking a great in- terest in the endowment for the uni versity and theological seminary that the Cumberland Presbyterians are preparing to locate in some city of the south
 .I am glad to see the membership here taking such intefest in this, too." he added, "And I think their interest was manifested when one prominent member gave H,ooo, and others gave such offer ings as their means would allow.
 By the way" the minister remember "the people o& Birmingham might be in- terested in locating the university here. And sec that one of the commission on investigating locations is Birmingham man. MT. H. M Stiles, one of the elders in the First Cumberland Church. Rev. sion, and of course no decision will be reached. until a thorough investigation has been made of different localities in the south.
 T don't think have ever expressed myself as I wished about the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church here,' Dr. McLeskey continued. T am wonderfully pleased with the spirit of the congregation. They are in earnest in Rev. H. r. Walton they have one of the best pastors in our denomination, one who is in every way capable Of helping his people to put things over. I have known MT. Walton since his college days and was also associated with him in the Memphis presby.ery, and I know the theological seminaries don't turn out any better men.
 GROWING RAPIDLY
 This congregation has grown rapid ly since pr. Walton came to Birm.ng- ham," added the minister, and think ] they have one of the best organized Sunday schools I have even seen any where. with their entire corps of teach CTS trained in the School of Methods, l and in the Birmingham Graded Union. Add a beautifully eQuipped building