The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-10
M EN, w o MEN
 A ND T HIN GS

Hello! old )pinch hitter preacher This was the way Henry Vance. alia. old Dollar Bilr and sporting expert of The Age-Herald greeted me wher I passed his desk in the news room on Friday morning after my return home.
 I can truthfully say, however, that when I was called to go to the bat to tie up the wedding score at Bel lamy that it was not with the proud and conscious strut of the mighty slugger, but with fear and trembling as I was not prepared or dressed for the part.
 Asra matter of fact I was only called in at fifteen minutes to seven and then by the merest chance. l was sitting out on the porch at the Allison home talking to Joe Mccoy who was over to cover the wedding for the Montgomery Advertiser, and he said to me, Doctor, aren't you an ordained minister?" answered in the affirmative.
 He then said, why don't you per form the ceremony?' I modestly re- piled that it was not for me to proffer my services, that I supposed if they were desired, some one would have taken the matter up with me. I missed him for a moment. and soon I was asked to come in. It turned out that neither MT. or Mrs. Allison knew that I was a preacher. Evi- dently Joe got me the job.
 They explained the predicament to me and took me in to see the bride, who quite naturally, and with tact, told me that she had wished to be married by pr. Edmonds whom she had known for years, but that she would appreciate it if I would act in his place, and in less than two minutes I was in a carriage and on my way to the church, for Big Jim the steam whistle had sounded for the wedding party to proceed.
 
 l arrived and the ushers were waiting, and one of them recognizing me, said Give pr. Barnett, a seat well towards the front" I thanked him but informed him that it would be unnecessary as would have to stand. It nearly took his breath away when it dawned on him that I was slated to perform the ceremony. No one knew about it save the bride and her parents.
 In I walked and took a seat down near the piano on the side. In going down the aisle I passed L. Sevier and Walter Fowlkes, who said in stage whisper as I went by, Hello! Doc 1 returned the salutation and got placed but all the time was smiling to myself at the expression which would float over their countenance when they saw me arise and march in front of the pulpit Their faces registered surprise alright.
 There I stood in a business suit
 
 with the beautiful decorations all around me, as the wedding party en- tered, the man in full evening dress and the women beautifully gowned. I would have felt conspicuous had I not known that every eye would be levelled on the lovely bride, her ma tron of honor, and attendants. No one ever sees the groom. and why should any one look at the preacher. It was comforting though
 But l had to dedicate the church, or at least christen it at the request of Mrs. Wilson, in memory of Theo- dore Lampkin, the beloved physician who gave his life to the people of Bellamy during the influenza cpl. demic. I had also to make announce ment about the accident which had befallen Dr. Edmonds, preventing his presence. Then l had to do the business for which I was called in, that is marry the couple
 
 I have been suddenly showed in an emergency to address the jury when for one reason or another the advo- cate set for the speech was hin- dered. have frequently filled pull pits on the failure of the preacher to arrive. I have even taken the place of an absentee at commencements but Wednesday night was the first time in my life that I ever acted as a substitute minister at wedding ceremony.
 1 have frequently admitted my fondness for speaking, and it is well known that my talks are always inn rromptu; but in spite of my long experience in public addresses I'll confess that it is no easy thing to improvise on five minutes notice at wedding ceremony. If l am not mis- taken, the bride Is Presbyter,an | the groom an Episcopalian and being a Baptis. tried to play denomina tionally fair and used parts out Of each faith.
 l IcAu4lEznMaAau1fI 1 LIGHTING THE MOOEUN uoxxn