The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-22

Criticism of what he termed po- litical activities of the Pastors union by pr. Middleton s. Barnwell, rector of the Church of the Advent, In a speech before the Junior Chamber or Commerce Thursday has brought re- plies from several prominent local ministers.
 Among ministers, in adition to Rob ert N. simpson. chairman of the Pas tors union. who replied in yesterdays $ Age Herald on the editorial page, is Dr. W. c. Henry, pastor of the Eleventh Avenue Methodist church and president of the Methodist Pas tors union, who has made reply to Dr. Barnwell's statement.
 Many are at a loss to know what is the exact position of the rector who spoke before the Junior Cham Der Thursday" says pr. Henry.
 He has attacked, without justice or reason. every Protestant minister in the city of Birmingham. He makes a blanket charge that thoy have used such vile utterances that gentleman of his standing cannot afford to re- peat them. We believe that If inves- tigation were made 1t would be discovered that the members of the Protestant union are not as foul nouthed as the rector charges In interest of those who might be inno- cent he would do well to furnish the reading public with the names of the guilty ones.
 Point of Divergence
 'He affirms that all the rest of us himself excepted, are guilty of pro- ducing the widespread error of athe- ism. One would conclude that he alone of all the prophets had the true and only way of life. Our point of divergence, however. Is that he be- lieves the Kingdom of God Is to be lzed Sabbath and along the munich pally-owned and police-chaperoned dance hall at East Lake.
 By the way, If 1t is moral affair to dance at East Lake, why the neces- sity of a chaperon?
 "The other Christian ministers practically all believe that such a re- sort cannot have the slightest moral sanction. We believe that through the church men receive their noblest inspiration for purity of life and holi- ness of heart. If our churches are schools for atheists one would imagine that the rector would attract vast hordes to hear him on spiritual themes. It happens that our denomi- nation added 100, 900 converts to our ever enlarglng membership last year From the city of Birmingham alone If young men were licensed to preach in the year 1921.
 Union and pr. BarnweII
 How 1t happens that tho rector is not in good standing with the Pas tors union, he can explain. Any pas tor can come in at will or can retire the same way. It remains to be said however, that any moral movement in the city can secure the co-opera- tlon of the members of the Pastors union and every. plan that tends to lower the moral interest of society may expect our unqualified opposition.
 Let us remembers
 't. That this issue was raised by others. All responsibility belongs to those who favor reop eninE the Persh- ing pier for municipal dance purposes
 co That the Issue before us in not dance but public dance hall. pro vided by the peoples money, provided by the city--a practice which Is re- lgiously repugnant 10 a vast citizen ship"
 Says He Makes Shoes
 Tt is not my policy to deal in per- sonalities," stated pr. George Stuart. pastor of the First Methodist church, when pressed for an expression under the view that references in Dr. Middle