The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-13
Or. Stuart Tells OF Birmingham's
 Loss In Death Of ". II. Stockl,am
Pastor Relates Intimate Inicdents To Show Wide Influence For Good And Calls Attention To Wholehearted Work To Enlarge Kingdom Of Christ. Worked In Unique But Thoroughly Busines-Like Manner.

Tanner.
 men of Birmingham. men who are worldly and. full of business with no thought of the church and no in- terest in religious matters. What would yoa think of my inviting a hundred prominent business men to dine with me at the Country club, give them a superb dinner, some fine music during the meal and at the close of the meal have some great layman of national reputation and splendid ability to address them on The important of business men throwing their lives and Influence on the side of Christianity and the church. will have no ax to grind and will ask for no money and pro- pose no plans; just let them retire with a feeling of good fellowship and a great message lodged with them."
 I enthusiastically indorsed the pro- position, suggesting that he have nc preacher, not even his pastor. present. The dinner was arranged. It was a most unusual occasion. He brought to Birmingham man of national reputation, and the hundred Dig busi- ness men left that luncheon greatly please dand impressed. wish might give the many things that were said to him by the mon on leav- ing the club. He came to me In an ecstacy of joy over the success ana said:
 "This dinner has given me a great lesson which will enable me to &C., complish something. The men I in- vited were greatly stirred and i'm pressed, but they were not connected with any religious machinery. I have no means to follow up the impress sions made. I must get men who are connected with some organization, so that when they are stirred and given new visions they may use their or ganization to accomplish things for the Kingdom"
 He next invited to a luncheon, at his own expense as before, every Protestant Christian minister and Sabbath school superintendent in the city of Birmingham. He brought a prominent speaker from a distant state to give the address. The ap- peal to the ministry and Sunday school superintendents produced a profound impression and earnest de- termination on their part to carry their inspiration into the various or ganizations for greater efficiency. He called to see me the following day, and, with tears of joy on his face, ne Salu. l Ills IS tue way tO uO IL. I am going to do this every year."
 The following year, he secured the big dining hall of the Tutwiler hotel and invited Dr. Charles l.. Geodell of New York as the speaker, and the oc- casion was one of the most interest ing and inspiring ever held with the Christian leaders of Birmingham. At the hour of the banquet, MT. Stock ham was in the hospital of Mayo brothers, in Rochester, Minn., with the illness from which he passed away two or three weeks later. A full account of the meeting was stenographically reported and for warded to him. and was preferred bedside. He smiled in deep gratifi- cation and said: That's fine"
 These are only instances of what he was constantly doing. There is no way to estimate the power that he was exerting in the city of Bir- mingham.
 At the time. of his death, the work men were grading the lot for su- perb residence. He showed me the plans the day they came from the architect. I noted a large drawing room and a large dining room and remarked at the size. He said, with his face aglow with interest:
 Here is where I will have my business friends and Christian work ; CTS dine with me, and we will do business for the Master. It is my purpose to make this home an en- zine room of power to move the machinery of my Masters Kingdom in this great city"
 On his return from the hospital, he was unable to lift his head from the pillow, exceedingly feeble. When lifted on the couch and placed in the ambulance, his attending physician was surprised when he said:
 "I want to be driven to the First Methodist church. I desire to speak to my pastor"
 He had arrived in a special coach. and I did not know the hour of its arrival. The physician reminded him of his weakness and urged that he be carried immediately home. With his usual firmness, he said: My decision is made. desire to be driv- en to the church."
 He was driven to the church. I was notified and hurried to the am bulance. In almost a whisper, he said: T am too weak to talk now, but I have something to say to you As soon as I gain a little strength, will call for you"
 I breathed a prayer and he was driven to his residence, from which in a few days he passed over the river. He never game me his mes sage, but I know it was some direc- tion looking to the development of some department of his beloved church.
 The workmen go. but the work must go on. May God give us a man to take his place.