The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-01-19
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

l certain circles of society that only the -four hundred" know how to have a really good time and that when a crowd of church people assemble it spells boredom.
 Having served an apprenticeship at social functions of various kinds and having for more than a score of years registered as among those present at religious gatherings think I am in position to judge between the two diff ferent crowds. The pleasures are dif- ferent and that is all there is to it, and it's useless for either the society or the religious devotees to make faces at one another. claims as to which gets the most joy out of their affairs.
 
 This is but to lead up to the banquet given by the Baptists of this district to celebrate the happy ending Of the s75,000, 900 drive at the Tutwiler on Fri day night I arrived at about 6:SO and the lounge was pretty well filled with lovely women and sterling laymen with quite a sprinkline of young peo- pie. I was laughing. happy hearted throng which had gathered to congrat- ulate one another on the outcome of the campaign.
 B. c. Cox. the superintendent of the Sunday school of the First Baptist church, was the prime mover in bring ing about the gathering. It takes 9 man of his type to pull off such an event. for he has both persistence and enthusiasm. It is true that he had was the mind that conceived, and his | indefatigable work which made every thing pass off without hitch. E. C. Cox is to the Baptsts of the Birming- ham association in arranging dinners what Joe Rosenberger was to the allied armies,
 Blessed are such men, for they fill a mighty important part in the social life of any community In every town and city in which I have ever lived there has always been some man who just naturally took the lead in getting up entertainments. The people just naturally looked to them to see to it that the details were attended to and they quietly accepted the task and did it without any fuss or feathers. 1 do not think, however. that they really get the praise which they deserve at the hands of the public
 During the dinners of the allied army under Field Marshal Rushton we got used to having them opened with a grace. It's true that he worked the Presbyterian ministers overtime. but on us ringer from other denomina- tions. The custom of saying grace be- fore meals is a good one and I am glad that it is observed most of the pub lie dinners and banquets given in Bir- mingham. I have noticed that it pleases many of them were reared in homes where no meal was ever eaten. until thanks had been offered
 From the blessing asked by pr. L. L. Gwaltney, the editor of the Alabama Baptist, man of rare culture and be- coming rhodesty to the closing prayer there was an atmosphere of good fel- lowship. pr. J. T. Henderson, the gen eral secretary of the laymen's move ment of the Southern Baptist conven- tion, with headquarters at Knoxville, Tenn, was the first speaker. He is consecrated layman who resigned the presidency of large college to take up the work, which has grown greatly under his leadership.
 
 Judge L. J. Haley, -four minute man. who made a five minute talk, en- joys the unique distinction of having been member of the First Baptist church for s2 years, and in all this time he has been an efficient worker in ev- cry department of the church He never forgot the training he received among the Virginia Baptists, where he was reared, His speech had both humor and pith in it. and some of his hits were greatly enjoyed by the audience
 Inen came the stunts fathered by Jeff" Bailey, who did not acquire the art while secretary of the Kiwanis, but who did get chance to exercise his gifts to such degree that he was much in demand all over the south when any club wanted to pull some real stuff and fwho has been sought after to go to the next annual conven- tion a month in advance to help prop erly stage it. Jeff had for conspira- tors L. J. Haley, w l. Pittman, and an other, who asked that his name be kept secret.
 I had been asked to serve as the spe- cial judge to try Rev. J. c. StNender, the now pastor of the Ruhama Baptist church, on the charge that 1t wasn't seriptural for a single man to be a bishop, the indictment being drawn on Paufs Injunction to Timothy. The joke of the matter, neither he or any of those called as witnesses. have any idea whatever of the frame-up' until Jeff Bailey, who was appointed by the court as prosecutor. asked Bailiff Pittman to call them to the witness box. 1 The accused was represented by law yer Haley, but he was not permitted to dcfead his client
 1t was hard to decide as to whether Pastor Stivender or the witnesses were 1 being tried for "Jeff' Bailey. ser pace i for brow beating Which I hone win |