The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-04
EN, WOMEN
 A ND THIN IS


 ural as life in his pulpit on yesterday, but it would have been a false descrip- ton, for he sat while Mel Trotter preached and although Mel referred to him several times, he never opened his mouth.
 There was reason" for while his doctor gave him permission to be pres ent at the morning service, he handi- capped him by absolutely prohibiting his talking. Being fond of talking my self, I know just how George felt as he went through the entire sensice with out even so much as being permitted to pronounce the benediction.
 There was something very touching to me to see the great old war horse out of action, for to man of his temper ament action is the very breath of life, and to be silent in the midst of the be- ginning of a great evangelistic service is the acutest kind of self denial. His tongue was silent but his eyes flashed with the old-time fire as Trotter, his friend, held up Jesus Christ.
 I came mighty near missing a truly great service. My wife and were ready to go to the Southside Baptist church when one of the boys had a se- we're case of nose bleed which necessi- tated her attention. ! was waiting on the porch when her mother came out, saying that she would go, but that Maud would remain at home; and my mother ln-Iaw being a Methodist, l thought it would be nice to offer to go to the Firsr church This is how I happened to be present
 We got there on time, but not in time and each entrance was packed so full that it was impossible to hear I then essayed the gallery, but it was veri- table beehive of Methodsts and no chance whatever for Baptist bee to find a chance to sip the Methodist nec- tar. then proposed that we go to the First Baptist and started, but on nearing the basement door l said, 'I'll take a peep in here and SC if I can find way to the upper floor I opened a door which led to the pulpit and & friendly usher got a seat for Mrs. Proctor ana gave me place on the choir stairs
 
 l. I spoke of just happening to go to the First Methodist church. but believ- ing in Holy Trinity L am confident that all along the Holy Spirit was leading and guiding my footsteps. for I got to hear just the message which needed. If Mel Trotter sticks as closely to~ Christ as he did on Sunday morning I haven't the least doubt but that Birmingham is going to have great soul winning cam paign. His sermon was a straightfor- ward and earnest presentation of the simple gospel truths.
 ! Every now and then some reporter. magazine writer, college professor, soci- oiogist or clubman asks, the question Why have people quit going to church2 and proceeds to answer it from various standpoints. The best answer is, They haven't quit" If anyone thinks 7 church in Birmingham just let them try and get in any of the downtown churches on a Sunday morning or even- ing, and they will find out that this is a church-going town.
 Birmingham, however, is no exception for this is church-going age. There never was before in the history of the world so many men, women and chil- dren who attend church. just as there never was before anything like the amount of money which is being given not only towards the support of the local churches but for denominational schools, missionary work. The recent great drives by the big denominations showed that the pocketbooks were never wider open for gospel purposes
 But l am now going to give the letter which Dr. Stuart had read to the con gregation, for I am sure it will be good news to all:
 ''On, March 10 carbunele started un- der my arm. By Sunday, the 18th, it was an ugly place, giving me great pain I preached morning and evening as you will remember, in great anguish I real ized that I had proposition which would take week of my time. Wife and I decided to run up to Lake Juna- luska. I stopped in AshevilIe, and after the hard work and the two or three nights of loss of sleep and suffering, l was in a very low, nervous condition. 1 lad an acute attack of heart derange- ment. We called heart and lung spe- ci:ists who remained with me until o'clock in the morning. Later in the morning he called and found me still improving. He announced to me that had had a very close. call and timely warning, and demanded that I lie in bed perfectly quiet until further orders. He brought surgeon who lanced my car buncle. I remained in AshevilIe for sew eral days rapidly improving.
 1T dropped down to Knoxville and re- mained under the care. of my old family physician for nearly week; then to Cleveland. then -o Birmingham. I have been under the cara of several fine phy- phy sicians, and they all agree that have no organic heart trouble; that this attack was due to nervous exhaustion that am in condition to suffer great CT and permanent damage by smai amount of exertion, but that if I remain