The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-05-23
M E N , w o M E N
A ND T HIN G S

| The Associated Press covered the ses-
sions of the Southern Baptist convention
in such full way that did not make
any effort to do it in this column
1 think, however, even at this late hour,
that it may be of interest to the great
body of Baptists in Alabama to get few
side lights on the convention which neces-
sarily would not be shed by great news
paper gathering association.
In the first place it was the Mecca for
Alabama Baptists l know the personnel
of the denomination in the state, being
able to call hundreds of the preachers.
deacons and "elect ladies' by name, as
well as the Sunday school teachers and
Esrperintendents and Baptist Young People
union workers.
| There were more delegates and visitors
from Alabama at Chattanooga than is
ever found at any of the state conven-
items. The great matters to come before
the body in connection with the attrac-
tons of Chattanooga, and the ease with
which it could be reached caused hun
dreds to make the pilgrimage.
In a special from Chattanooga 1 stated
that Alabama was on the map from the
very start to the close. DR.. John H. In
zer the pastor of the First Baptist
church, and the host OF the convention
being constant reminder of the fact, for
he made his reputation as an eloquent
and aggressive Birmingham pastor. His
wife is an Alabama girl.
That Birmingham is coming to the front
as Baptist center on account of the es-
tablishment here of the board of educa-
ton of the Southern Baptist convention,
most important department of Baptist
work owing to the large sums to be col
lected through the $75oOO,O00 drive and APP
propriated to the various educational in
situations within it's bounds.
The removal of the headquarters of the
| Womans Missionary union from Balti-
more, where it has been for years, to Bir-
mingham for strategic reasons on account
of the latter advantages in being in
closer touch with the 10 states making
up the Southern Baptist convention than
any other city, was easily demonstrated
by Miss "A. l.. Williams on the charts
she used SO effectively in her invitation
speech.
The thing 1 now want to make known
is the interesting fact that DR.. w. C.
James, the secretary of the education
board, is the husband of Mrs. James, the
president of the Woman's Missionary
union. 1t can be easily seen from this
that there is a very close connection be-
tween the two great Baptist denomina-
tional interests in Birmingham, DR.. and
Mrs, James came to us from Richmond,
a consecrated and cultured couple, to add
to the social and religious life of Biz
mingham
Every year at the convention there gath
ers both outside and inside interests
which take the opportunity for propagan
das of various kinds, or to market books
and other merchantable things. Ere
quently complaint has been made that
they were too close to the main audi
forum, and that the noise of the traffick-
ers disturbed the prayers, addresses an0
preaching of the convention.
When editor of the Alabama Baptist, l
dubbed them side shows" of the con-
vention, and they grew and grew until
they almost came to overshadow the big
lat.. \,
tions were put beneath two large tents.
The postoffice, the telegraph station, the
information bureau, the exhibits of the
various boards the many book stands,
the architectural drawings all found
ample room
The tents were to the convention what
the foyer is to the opera in paris
They were the promenade grounds of the
delegates and visitors between the acts
or sessions. | confess that | spent more
time under the awnings than l did under
the roof. for to me the fellowship out
weighs the deliberations of the body, as
no longer sit in the easy chair of
UNCONVENTIONAL paper.
There must have been thousand Ala
bamians at Chattanooga, and l am con-
fident that l shook hands with each one
of them at least once every day during
the session, for l waylaid them on the
streets, waited for them in the Hobbies of
the hotels stood around the convention
doors to pounee on them as they came
out, or loafed around the side shows to
get a chance at them. 1t was good to
meet old seminary mates from all parts
of the country and to renew friendships
with pastors scattered from Washington
city to Mexico. and to howdy with the
rank and file from the country districts
of my native state
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