The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-25
M B N, :, w o M E N
 A N D T H IN C $

There is only one thing which kept
 me from being a front seat at the
 Bijou on Sunday afternoon, and that was
 the impossibility of being in two places
 at the same time
 l I had made an appointment to preach
 on Sunday afternoon in a neighboring county before the day was set for the
 presentation of the News loving cup, which was unanimously awarded to Rev. , J. A.. Bryan, the man wrote up few
 Sundays back as "A Birmingham Saint" l In the beginning I wish to felicitate the
 News on it's happy idea, which no doubt
 proved greater success than even those
 who visioned it had dreamed. am glad that Birmingham is getting big enough
 and the papers close enough together In
 working for it's upbuilding for a man on ! The Age-Herald to unreservedly con graduate it's neighbor on it's notable achievement
 | l have confessed on many public occa- sions that l delight in crowds, and knew a record one would make it's way to the Bijou. The fact that it was to be d community outpouring would have guaranteed my presence, even though l had not been in hearty sympathy with the occasion of the meeting. I like To be in the center of things, even if l am only "looker-on in Venice"
 But when the town was on It's way to a theatre on Sunday afternoon to show it's love for an humble preacher, it made my heart swell with joy and pride 70 know that in this new city of ours, where business is supposed by many to be su- preme, men, women and children of every rank and station equally were interested l in having a part in the honoring or man who had been honored just because 1 he was lovable and good.
 I am proud of the rank which the Magic City has taken as great lndus- trial center It's phenomenal growth mas advertised it far and wide as the coming metropolis of the south. Its products are finding their way on the seven seas m Birmingham ships. There is much in It's achievements in the commercial world to make all of us thrill with pride. Like Paul of old we can boast that I've are citizens of no mean city" It is self evident fact to those who live here or visit it.
 But Birmingham never showed it's true spirit in finer way than when com mittee of representative citizens, after canvassing the situation, unanimously presented to a Presbyterian preacher the loving cup offered by the News to the
 citizens in recognition of his services to
 his home town in 1920. I walked the
 streets on Monday and never was there a hint that the beloved pastor did not
 deserve it for his unselfish labors.
 There are some preachers who have
 been known to covet honorary titles. and
 do not say that it is wrong; for most
 of us will fali for D. D. in spite or
 the fact that frequently they are be-
 slowed with a liberal hand. The world
 has been ruled by ribbons and garters
 and medals. Had I fought in the Civil
 war and won a Confederate cross
 would wear it proudly on my breast l like to see those who did heroic deeds in the Spanish American war with their medals, and this applies also to the men in khaki who went overseas.
 But being @ preacher if I could choose
 the title of which I would be the proud est it would be to be called The Pastor of Birmingham" and this is the title
 which the people of this great city have conferred upon Rev. James A. Bryan, and the strange fact is that the miriis- ters of all denominations have not a tinge of jealousy toward the man whose lov- ing heart has made him the shepherd m a peculiar sense of the whole town, but delight to do him reverence.
 I happened to be talking to man who was cutting some meat for me, and he opened the conversation when went into the place where he worked by say ing: Did you go down to the BDou Sunday afternoon?" I told him l was out of the city. Then in his own way he began to tell me about the great meet ing and the splendid tributes made by pastors of other churches, men of other creeds, and some of the leading men in Birmingham. It was just what wanted to hear-the straightforward account Of 1 just the average man.
 After rehearsng some of the things said by Dr. George Stuart. Dr. Henry M Edmonds, pr. Middleton s. Barnweh and others. his face lit up as he went on: But you ought to have. heard pr. Newfield. His speech was great; and' do you know. he called him Brother Bryan all the way through rms seemed to make a wonderful impression upon him. But no one need be surprised. for side by side the consecrated Chris tian pastor ard the pioIs rabbi have ia- bored together in this great city
 Birmingham has been blessed during all of it's years with ministers who hon. ored the cloth they wore and tce churches they served. The pastors of this city have been freer from sensationaiism than any I nave ever known i'll the large
 cities of the south This does not mean that they have not had the courage 10
 speak out when the times demanded It,
 but it does mean that it has been free
 from the notorlety seeker who uses ms
 pu,n;t as A Llace to advertise hiinseif.
 I am sure that this is one reason the
 Pastors union has always exertedN the
 influence which it has in the moral reii-