The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-08
M E N, w o M FEN
 A ND T H N G s

chance to mingle with their brethren
 and forget the Sunday strain in good
 fellowship.
 It's fine thing for clergymen of the same household of faith to meet together once a week to discuss tneir problems and give in their experl- ences; but it's better thing for them to lay aside one Monday during the
 month to rub suouIv-rs with their
 brethren in other communions. I got to thinking about this on yes terday morning as I sat in the base ment of the First Methodist church, where the Pastors union holds It's
 monthly sessions. The threatening weather cut down the attendance, ana yet in spite of the rain there was goodly number of them on hand to attend to the business and hear the address. Laymcn have a mistaken notion about the nature of the sessions, for in spite of being dull and formal. they are usually sprightly and informing. In spite of the seriousness of the prob lems discussed there is always an un- dercurrent of humor which Is liable to break out at the most unexpected mo- ment, for no one knows when some brother is going to inject a bit of wit into the programme.
 I have often said that if you put bunch of preachers together for any length of time you will get to hear
 more good stories than you can pick up from gathering of drummers. l know that the commercial travellers have some crack tory-tellers. but Til
 match George Stuart against any one os the Travellers Protective associa- tion's, as his repertoire includes the ones.
 It has been my business and pleas ure to attend conventions of all kinds, and I think I can state with boldness that conference of ministers during its sessions will in matters of interest,
 mode of expression and elevation of thought equal similar gatherings O. either lawyers, doctors. teachers or business men. The modern minister is usually abreast of the best thought of his time in all lines of culture. cut and dried programme is an i'm possibility at the Pastors union, for. in spite of the committee and its of ferings, there is always some outside matters which bob up and sets min isteria1 tongues to wagging. pr. James E. billiard, pastor of the South side Baptist church, the president, has his hands full in trying to run the up as much as he may. it seems that every session something vital comes up to encroach on the regular order. But this is as it should be. have
 mighty little use for slate that can't be busted, and a programme which is not elastic is sure to be one that lacks pep" There wasn't any lack of vari- ety in the topics brought to the at tention of the body on Monday morn ing. Enough reports and suggestions for action were submitted. if properly
 thrashed out, to have kept the crowd in session for the whole day instead of little over an hour.
 Take for instance, the appearance of Mrs. Neil R. Wallace. the frail look ing little woman who has mans size job placed upon her shoulders. Her task is to censor the movies, vaude- vile houses and theatres, and she came to ask the backing of the Pastors union and with the request that each church appoint live woman to CO., operate with her in her work. Her wish was granted without dissenting vote.
 pr. George R. Stuart read a letter in regard to the rest room and commu- nity headquarters for the colored peO- pie. It was request on the part of the negroes behind it to have the
 members of the union visit the place set apart as body or as individuals at any time they so wished. The ques- tion of raising the money asked some while back was left in the hands of the committee having 1t in charge, with instructions to try and apportion the
 amounts as equitably as possible among the various churcnes.
 
 l The Oliver report in regard to so- cial hygeine contained recommenda- tions of cooperation with the agencies already at work in the field, and the request that pr. Walter S. Brown be given time at some future date to out line the plan which the city wishes carried out in it's dealings in the wei fare department. The whole question of the status of Birmingham in regard to vice is being looked into with the
 hope of being able to better it. The Stallings committee on the ad- visibility and chances of having q great union evangelistic campaign was allowed to go over as the date of the completion of the auditorium was too
 uncertain for anything definite to be decided upon at this time. It came out that in his discussion with Commits sioner Ellis Brown that the money in hand would probably be used up in the building of the auditorium and that seating 1t properly would be problem, Tn which the churches would be asked | to cooperate.
 The secretary of the boys depart ment of the Young Mems Christian as- soctation brought before the body the matter of stressing Boys Week thropgh the various church. mee tinRs. His suggestions were received with en- thusiasm and he went away with the assurance that the Pastorss union would get in behind the worthy move Ment with enthusiasm. The programme
 given out later with moro detail. by those in charge of tho arrangements. ss . 2s' 's''T n | The address of the morning was not