davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
POPULAR PASTOR
 LEAVES LOCKWOOD
Rev. Thomas S. Hickman To
 Accept Boston Fellowship

Rev. Thomas s. Hickman, for seven years pastor of the Edgewood Com munity church, has resigned in order to accept Sabbatical year fellowship at Boston university, where he expects to take the degree, doctor of religious edu- cation, under Dean Walter $. Abhearn. As the result of constructive program of religious education for especially the children and young people, the Edge wood church is in flOurishing condi- tion. At a congregational meeting last Sunday, Mir. Hickman's resignation was accepted and a call extended to Rev. Milton l.. Clemens of Harrimon, Tenn.
 When MT. Hickman came to Edge wood Community church they were only having one service month and were. paving to all causes of the church less than $25O a year. Now they are having two services each Sunday, mid week prayer service and many other weekly community services. And dur ing the seven years that MT. Hickman has been there have doubtless raised $2, 800 a year, which includes building a manse, beautifying the church prop erty, contributing to the pastors salary and general benevolences, which is in- deed a remarkable achievement.
 MT. Hickman has established a repu- tation as a scholarly preacher and a prodigous reader and has contributed many articles to religious and sociolo- gical magazines. His work with the young people of the community has bene able and efficient.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
CALL CONFERENCE
 AT HAYNES SCHOOL
Great Revival Plans Will Be
 Made At Haleyville Meeting

An evangelistic, inspirational and ef- fiency conference for preachers and laymen will be held at the J. o. Hanes school, Haleyville, Ala, December 20 to 80. The opening sermon will be preached Sunday night and the confer ence will close with love feast and consecration service on Tuesday morn ing. The best talent of picked men will be used in all discussions, with high class inspirational preaching at the regular hours.
 This is an effort upon the part of Rev. J. o. HaneS, president of the school, and Rev. F. L. Aldridge, presid- ing elder of the district, to enlist the energies and activities of preachers and laymen in the greatest years work that has ever been done, with special em- phasis on a great revival for reaching and saving the people.
 Entertainment will be furnished free in the homes of the people of Haley vile for those who can attend the con ference. Dr. E. NJ. Glenn, pastor of the Methodist church, and Mir. c. l.: Webb head the entertainment committee.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
CHURCH MUSIC

Independent Presbyterian-1l a. m, Gam on the dos h'step9s tGs Esr 3t SFd (Woodman); "Lulay Thou Little Child (Gaul: contralto solo, No Candle Was There. No Fire" CLehman). Miss Heoecca
 c. T. Downs. musical director of the West End Methodist. made the following Evangelist singer of the Methodist Epsi- pal church, south, will sing at the morn
 The Holy Nativity" a Christmas Can tata will be rendered by the choir at the evening hour 7:SO o'clock.
 Morning Service <,.u mont5; 5: anthem, "WHOrship Christ the New Born King" (Ashford); solo, selected, Rev A j. Notsstne STthsm "The o4Ss1 Star postlude, "Marche Romaine" (Gounnd).
 Evening Service
 Organ prelude. Evening Meditati0n,, ?, (HandeD; music to the following by Wtldermere; opening, chorus ..r,J;oas h0ok Ave- solo f.poP spd soo snd ''Unto Us Is Born a Savior" baritone solo, ''The Song Of the Shepherds" B. e: Downs soprano MIs sEo Wi'h1n nowns; h@%s %Sis Soiees ManssSr and hyi cherus, Aory To God; bari tone solo and chorus, Let Us Go To Bethishem: M .E sopTanT Wi1iisms IHio male voices @ and chorus, ''Wonderful Night;' final chorus "Christmas Joybells;" organ post Jude, Marcne MdJeStlC NA.Ci iHnn ,. A. :.
 Musical programs, southslde Baptist church, Sunday. December 2S-11 a. m. morning wroship; organ prelude (se1 lected); hymn No. 1S0; anthem. Sing, 0 Heavens" (Tours). quartet; offertory solo, ''The Infant Jesus" (Yonl. Mrs Mary Emma Pearson simmons; hymn or con secration; organ postiude (Selected):
 1880 F. M.-Peoples' Popular Service
 organ prelude (selectedl; Christmas carols by the choir, concluding with Joy TO the World" The congregation is asked to rise and join in singing this hymn
 Anthem, The Birthday Of King (Neidlnger). quartet. offertoryt HarK' Adown the Bygpne Ages" (Wakeiin) quartet; invitation hymn; organ postluoe (Selected).
 Walker Memorial Methodist-Mrs Louise Newman, organist and director of Walker Memorial church, announces ming service featured by special solos and other outstanding musical gems, The program for both services is as follows: anthem, Arise. shine. For Thy Light Is Come" (shelby); contraito solo, 70, Martha Dick; postlude (Gounod).
 Evening-Organ suite. "Bethlehem' (Maliing): "Hark, Ten Thousand Harps and Voices" (Dion); hymn No. 112; Now; When Jesus Was Born In Bethlehem (Rogers); contralto. He Shall Feed His Flock" soprano. Come Unto Him. Mes siah" tHendeD Arise, Shine, For Thy Light Is Come" (Shelby).
 Music Fifth Avenue Presbyteriau fare" (Dubois); anthem, nsing, on on A" (Debruck): offertory. "Oh Holy Night (Adams) postlude (Steane).
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
4,7ll,94 HT TOTAL
 OF METHODISTS
Membership Decrease Is Reported In Atlanta
 And New Orleans

CHICAGO, Dec. 26.-There are A. 711. .994 Methodist, according to figures from the Methodist year book for 1925. made public today by the world service commission of the Methodist Episco- pal church.
 This membership includes only prepa- ratory and full members and does not include either affiliated nonresident members or aunerents of the church, which are more than 10,O00.OO0.
 Last year the membership was A. 66O,544. From the increase of S6,437 must be deducted decrease of 34,9S9 caused by deaths, removals and trans fers to other churches. leaving net in crease of 51, ,45O or which 27,26S are in foreign areas and 23,S22 in the United States.
 There are increases in 13 areas in the United States and decreases in eight areas. The Omaha area showed the greatest increase, with membership of S5,929, an increase of 6,379. Other
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27

Bishop Mcdowell announced his text :: "God, who at sundry times and in div CTS manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these fast days spoken unto us by His Son." and spoke in part as follows:
 "The writer of this epistle who is an ardent believer in Jesus as the promised Messiah of the cews undertakes to write to fellow Jews in such style as to give them his grounds of conviction; so he starts off in the first sentence to state his general theme: Gods full revela- tion of Himself in Jesus Christ.
 He uses many of the favorite argu- ments of St. Paul. but combined in a new way. God is always revealing Him self to man; the heavens and the earth declare His glory; all people of all ma tions have an instinctive feeling after God (illustra ted by the story of Helen Keller who told Phillips Brooks "she had always known God was there but she had not known name') and only those who educate themselves to disbelieve deny Him. God has not left any nation without witne; to Himself ; and the chief witnesses are prophets, men who speak with conviction of God and the spiritual nature ran.
 Not only d.d the Hebrews have proph- cts. but Melchizedek and Balaam are mentioned in the Old Testament to show that God has those who know Mlm, though imperfectly, in a.. nations. Men like Buddah and Confucius raised the spiritual ideas of their races to q higher level. But all prophets of every kind spoke only some partial truth and for their own race. When they had pre- pared mems minds to q sire to know the whole truth. God then spo. Q t. the whole world through His Son the ~'od news that sums up all truth.
 Let us examine briefly some of the clements that marx vt the message oi Gods Son: that we are children ot God; that we are spiritually of one fam ily and therefore brethren; that no price is too great to pay for mans re, demption, and therefore God so loved the world that He lend lis. Son; that He freely gi.es His ';:'irit; that He assures us of t'-e finf tory over sin, sorrow nd death, and the lne9it- able triumph of righteousness" we and peace, in life that shall not pass away.
 It is this that makes Christmas, feast day of Christ, such notable tune Our Master bids us come and enJoy Ills birthday with Him and celebrate all the elorior reality of the good news that He came on earth to bring. It is a feast that the lowly and the poor should share with Him, for He loved them our giving should be, in imitation of linn, not gold and franincense and myrrh, but ourselves with our gifts. Let us thank God for the prophets with their mes sage, s'Thus saith the Lord put iet us with hearts made joyful by the giad tidines come and worship Gods own incarnate Son, "the Word made llesh and dwelling among us, full of grace aad truth"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27

had ever taken place since the time when the Jews left Egypt and slavery 1; when they had been saved from the scourge of the Death Angel who at the time of their leaving smote the first born of every household in Egypt, where the blood was not found on the doorfacing.
 As the Master and His followers ap- preached the suburbs of Jerusalem He sent two of the disciples to procure a beast upon which He should ride into the city.
 Theologians are still debating whether the Masters mount was a docile, meek and humble donkey or whether it was firy, warlike animal, handsome and bold and untamed 1; whether in fact this mount symbolized humility and meekness, or whether it rather represented the unruly, stiff necked people who could not understand this kind of Messiah and king.
 Perhaps this time-honored question is irrelevant, incompetent and immateriat, serving only to obscure the really great truth here involved.
 By the time the young animal was brought to the appointed place the crowd had greatly increased. A num- Der of wraps and capes were thrown upon the back of the animal to substi- tute for a saddle. From this moment forward the nature of the Masters visit to Jerusalem was in complete contrast to all the others of his life. At other times He had come as an obscure wan 'dered, mingling with the great crowd of pilgrims who walked around in wide eyed wonder at the magnificence of the holy city.
 There were the ancient impregnable walls; there was the palace of the high priest; there was palace built by Herod the Great, really dazzling in its splendor of sculptured porticos, It's many colored marbles and fountains and reservoirs and wide promenades there above all, on its vast platform, with its pinacles and gilded roofs, a mass of white and gold, with it's alter nate red and white marble reflecting the morning light with such splendor as to force the onlooker to shade his eyes, arose the temple, the most renowned and venerable shrine on earth.
 This time, which is the last time, Jesus is accompanied by hundreds of fellow peasants and by thousands oi men and women who have been con strained to believe on Him. This time He does not come unknown and unher aided; without really knowing what they did, hundreds of the young men and women broke branches from willow and palm trees and spread them in tht | way of the Masters steed. Here was the vanguard of the kingdom, and thou sands of His subjects startled tho sophisticated, urbane natives of tht great city.
 No wonder the high priests, represent ing the temple, the scribes who vert | the doctors of the law, and the elders the aristocrats and patricians of th' middle classes, were apprehenslVe They had good reasons to be.
 They knew that more than once th' Master had been implored to lead { revolt against Caesar; to put Himself at the head of great destructive arm, which should supply the necessary phy sical force to set up super-throne tha should eclipse the magnificence of tha upon which Saul, David and Solomon had ruled.
 i No wonder the shouting hosannas o1
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
WAR DEPARTMENT
 AWARDS 4 MEDALS
Distinguished Service Crosses
 Given For HerOism

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-Award of four distinguished service crosses, one of them to Colonel Claude H. Miller, now of the Army War college, and three to retired negro enlisted men for hero ism during the Philippine campaign a quarter a century ago, was announced today by the war department.
 Seven citations for gallantry in ac- tion during the Spanish-American war, Philippine campaign and for service in China also were announced, two of them naming Major General Leonard Wood
 One of General Woods citations was for gallantry in action against the Span ish forces at Las Guasimas, Cuba, June 24, 1898. and the other for gallantry at Santiago, Cuba. on July l, 1898. These citations entitle the recipients
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
Weekly Bible Talks
CHRIsTs TRIUMPHAL ENTRY
 Luke 18:20-4O
By GEORGE LEWIS BALES

Luxe lB:zB-4O
 %. And it came to pass, when He drew nigh unto Bethphage and Beth any, at the mount that is called Olivet, He sent two of His disciples. [ 30. Saying, go your way into the village over against you; in which as ye enter ye shall find colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat: loose him, and bring him.
 31. And if anyone ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say, The Lord hath need of him.
 32. And they that were sent went away, and found even as He had said unto them.
 33. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said to them, Why loose ye the colt
 34. And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
 35. And they brought him to Jesus: and they threw their gar meLts upon the colt, and set Jesus thereon.
 36. And as He went they spread their garments in the way.
 37. And as He was now drawing nigh, even at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multi tude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with loud voice for, all the mighty works which they had. seen;
 3S. Saying, Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
 39. And some of the Pharisees from the multitude said unto Him, Teacher, rebuke thy disciples.
 40. And He answered and said, tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the very stones would cry aloud.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
.VET-DRY CLASH
 IS DUE MONDAY
Liquor Forces To Oppose Huge Coast Guard
 Appropriation

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-Wets and drys in the house are preparing for their first skirmish of the session. due next Monday, when congress re-assem- bles to consider the treasury appropria- ton bill carrying funds for the. coast guard to check the activities of rum runners.
 Easing their action and arguments on the testimony of Admiral Billiard, com mandant of the coast guard, that actiyi- ties of liquor smuglers have not de- cf eased despite the augmented fleet, vets will attempt drastic slash in the guards appropriation for next year. Funds recommended for the coast guard next year aggregate $2o, o,597 ,s35, an in- crease of approximately. $1O.0O0,0O0 over the current year.
 With Billiard declaring that there has been little if any reduction in the amount of liquor smuggled in by sea" vets believe they gre justified in at- tempting to cut down the proposed ap- be made that the coast guard has virtu- ally abandoned its original duty of answering calls of distressed vessels and is now concentrating on rum rum ming. Billiard told the appropriations committee that of the APO vessels in the fleet only 75 would be assigned to regular work" In combating the ef- forts of liquor smugglers to land. their products in this country, Billiard in- tends to employ 4,34S men while 4,74O will be assigned to regular duty. The latter figure includes the personnel of the coast life saving stations.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27

the multitude scandalized the learned ears of the elders, high priests and scribes, and that they requested the Master to still the tumult which they feared might grow into revolution.
 The Master, without halting, replied, q tell you that if these should hold their peace the stones would imme- diately cry out" This answer reas- serted His right to be called '"The Christ" It was a challenge. It was the gage of battle. At the very mo- ment of His entrance into the city, His city, the new king gave the signal for the attack.
 Tomorrow He would confront the mighty" in their stronghold. He would humble the pride of 10000 priests in the very courts of their dead ritualism and mock ministrations. He would look with holy displeasure upon the motley crowd milling around in the precincts of the great shrine-the crowd made up of-the cattle dealers with their sheep and oxen; the poultrymen with their coops of pigeons, doves and spar rows; the money changers sitting be- hind small tables, with coins hanging from their ears, perhaps the prototype of the three balls of the loan shark of the present day.
 Tomorrow consternation would be let loose when, after standing and con templating for moment this revolting scene, the Master would gather up 8 handful of baggage rope, twist it into club and literally clear the place.
 But only a few hours more and the "disturber" would be put out of the way.
 The tradesmen would furnish the 30 pieces f~silver; the doctors of the law would find the pretext upon which should be drawn the indictment; and the Roman government, always crafty in politics and policies, would furnish the soldiers necessary to the accom-, plishment of the plan and purpose if. nally voiced in the frenzied cry, "crucify Him, cruelty Him!"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27

of Birmingham will when large unit the right completed The building the department the church. Dr. Simpson the pastor of the church h the city of such large Sunday school budhgs fight Sunday school convention delegates all the big conventonhe largest gathering scheduled Birmingham The
  thousands dollars during Convention wi have their headquarters religious of First Christian church.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
CHURCHES APPROVE
 v. S.-JAPAN POLICY
Commend Prompt Denial Of
 Rum0rs By Hughes

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-A me- morial thanking President Coolidge and Secretary Hughes for emphatic denial of malevolent rumors" in regard to the nations relations with Japan was re. ceived at the White House today from the Federal Council of Churches, pre- pared on behalf of the commission of international justice and goodwill and the national committee on American Japanese relations. The resolution also indorsed the announcement of Presi- dent Coolidge in opposition to a com petitive race in naval armaments.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27

IaSSOVer WHICH Wds again about to be celebrated at Jeru- salem.
 The Master had attended this feast and celebration each year since he was >12 years of age.
 Just after com plotting all material preparations for making the trip to J e ru S a l e m, He called His disciples around Him on the day of departure and explained to t h e m t h a t t h i s would be unlike any celebration of the Passover that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
DIR. MGLAWN's SERVICES

Dr. W. P. McGlawn, pastor of the Walker Memorial church. announces that he will preach at the Sunday morning service on "The Price of The Finished Product" having in mind cer- tain requests which have come to him recently with reference to certain phases of religious experiences.
 Mrs. Louise Newman, organist and choir director, also announces q special musical program for the SunCay night service, featured by solos and sacred gems.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
c. c. CLARK SECURED

The congregation of the West End Methodist Episcopal church is being congratulated upon the action of the young peoples societies in securing C.. c. Clark as a teacher in the older group of the young mems department. MT. Clark has recently come to Bir- mingham and will make his home here. Mrs. Clark will be pleasantly remem- bered as formerly Miss Leila Cochran, who some years ago was an active worker in the West End Methodist church. Both Mir. and Mrs. Clark have recently received their Masters degrees at Yale where they did special work in religious education.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
reas, their membership and increases


 Kansas City area 3o9, ,s3e, increase 6O48; San. Francisco 127 7,055, increase 5,726; Indianapolis 336, ,093, increase A. 3S7; Chicago 283,475, increase S,445; Detroit 175,929, increase 2,8S3; Pitts burg 284, ,,582, increase 2,01S; Cincin- natl, 4S3, 1928, increase 1895; Philadel- phia 2S5.174, increase 1881; Boston 146, ,493, increase 1,253; Covington ST. 9s5, increase 1,095; Chattanooga 104,- O49. increase 937; Buffalo 206,9S7, in- crease eight.
 The following eight areas showing de- crease with their membership and the decrease follow:
 Atlanta 97,327, decrease 5,75O; New Orleans 119,454, decrease 3,001; St. Paul 154,025, decrease 2,0S0; Portland 75, ,3S9, decrease 1.173; Washington 262, ASA, decrease 1,052; New York 216,. sos, decrease 333; Denver 73,404, de. crease 295; Helena 39,542, decrease 49 All the foreign areas showed in creaSeS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
CAPITAL TO LOSE N-
 BOOTH LANDMARK

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-The old Surratt house, where John Wilkes booth came on the afternoon before he assassinated Abraham Lincoln and ar- ranged with Mrs. Surratt for guns and horses, is to go the way of numerous other landmarks about the capital. A contract has been let by the present owner. calling for construction of a modern store front in the old structure for many years believed to be haunted. |. by the gohst of Mrs. Surratt.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27


 "HE Norwood Methodist church,
 of which Dr. W. D. Morris is
 pastor has had a phenomenal growth. It was organized only IA years ago and now has member shin of over HOO. Large congre- cations hear Dr. Morris each Sunday, and the Sunday school of the church is filling to overflowing the spacious quarters provided for it. New mem bers -are welcomed into the church nearly every Sunday. The church is located in the heart of Norwood, at the corner of Thirty first street and Thirteenth avenue, north. The membership is composed of may of the leading citizens of Bir- mingham. The entire congregation extends hearty welcome and makes all feel at home who visit this church.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
CHURCH RECEPTION

Rev. and Mrs. $. T. Slaton will be at home to the members and congregation of the West End Methodist church on New Years day from three to ten o'clock p. m. They will be assisted in receiving by the members of the board of stewards and their wives. All mem. bers of the church and congregation are invited to call during this period.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
Observance Of The Pass. over In Jeru-
 salem

Editors Note: .. \ The Age-Herald has arranged with :. Mir. Bailes of the Birmingham par, anu
 teacher of the Cosmopolitan Mems 7 class of the First Baptist church at the :. strand theater. to prepare Tnsas fhSrs R,SIs
 Bible talk each Saturday Inese bloIe
 Scripture selected by the International
 sunday school lesson committee for the
 current series of lessons. Eacn blpie
 Sunday school lesson will be taken
 week later. .,
 It was the first Sunday in April in the year 30, A. D. It was spring time. It was the season of the feast of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
NEW YEARS DAY LUNCHEON

Dr. Robert N. Simpson, pastor of the First Christian church at noon New Years day will give a luncheon com plimehtary to the ministers of the city in the large social room of the newly finished building of his church devoted to religious education. The luncheon will be prepared and served by the Builders society" of the First Chris tian church of which Mrs. Robert N. Simpson is the president,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-27
PRATT CITY
SOUTHSIDE

Pratt City Baptist-"The Touch of His Hand" II a. m., By this Shall All Men Know" 7:3O p. m. Rev. J. w. Partridge.