The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-13
By REV. GEORGE R. STUART. D.

By REV. GEORGE R. STUART. D. D. In the passing of W. H. Stockham to his rich reward the country at large, the state of Alabama, the city of Birmingham and the Christian church have lost a supreme man. He was a man of technical culture and broadly read. He was grad uated at the University of Illinois and kept in touch with books. current literature and the lecture and musical platform. He was clean in thought and speech, refined in manner, modest and retiring until the moment came to take stand anu then he mani- fested the "ho1y boldness' of genu- inc Christian heroism.
 He was fond of outdoor sports and on this ground chiefly belonged to one or more clubs, but he was rarely found in club except at meal hours and then generally with friends to discuss business or religious mat ters. He was distinctly homo man sons were chums and close and con. stant companions in the business house, at home and on the golf course and at Sabbath school and church. He and his wife and tree | sons attended the same university. It | was an unusual family in culture, refinement. high ideals. fslicitous
  1 useful and faithful church life. The church stood first.
 Ability As Organizer.
 He was q man of large business. progressive ideas, rare circumspec- ton and wise foresight. He had in- ventive genuis coupled with unusual ability to cast plans. organize forces and secure results in whatever he enterprised. In the development of the Stockham Pipe and Fittings company, the largest concern of it's kind south of the Ohio, he gave a | practical demonstration of his ability ! in organizing and handling large business, the history of which would make an interesting story.
 This article, written by his pastor, chiefly concerns his Religious life. | All of his business acumen. experi- | ence and alertness he carried over to the church with a zeal. consecration and determination as far as he was able to bring the church in all her branches of activity to higher de- gree of organization and efficiency than he had attained in his own large and complicated business plant. In his wise thinking the best methods which had been thought out and wrought out by the most progressive men in secular business for the ac- complishment of worldly success, were to be applied with intense zeal Christian church. In an experience of almost fifty years with Christian laymen, I count him one of the fore most+-of my whole acquaintance in zeal, liberality, in both time and money, and prayerful and untiring in planning for the church. He gave more time. more money, according to ai al fy1 tha aV.in to nf its advancement and more careful fought and planning for the growth of the church and the spread of the gospel in all lands and among all people than any other layman of my acquaintance. If he had lived 10 years longer the civilized world would have felt his touch. He took vital interest in every Christian forward movement, but specialized in Sabbath school and church work.
 Sunday School Work.
 He was an officer, one of the most liberal contributors and a significant figure in the International Sunday School association. On entering of- ficially into this great organization. he observed what he considered to be lack of emphasis on evangelism" The educational features, in his Judgement. were overshadowing the chief business of the Sabbath school, which is the salvation of the pupil By his personal zeal and careful planning he introduced into this or ganization an enlarged and more vital plan of evangensm. which, un- der his wise steering and strong backing, was destined to touch with saving power the childhood, not only of this country, but of all civilized countries. He detailed to me his "a oh in yNlo NH-jtl fi,n tvN Ii eye and a thrill of joy beaming in his face, closing some vital part of his program by bringing his hand down on my knee with the inspiring sentence: And I'll see it through"
 Tn the city of Birmingham we have perhaps the best organized and most effective working ciyt-wide Inter- denomirational Sunday School asso- citation in the whole country. It is largely of his planning and has been chiefly financed by him from its origin. Quietly and unostentatiously he touched and steered this organ ization. emphasizing evangelism" looking to the immediate salvation of the pupils in bringing them in had furnished for this organization an executive secretary. who devotes his entire time and energies to the advancement of this organization.
 Mr. Stockham was wide awake to all our church wide plans. the Cen teHary campaign. Christian education movement, superannIated endowment fund, and everything that meant the onging of the church found in him a hearty response and liberal sup port His large subscription to the Centenary and his subscription of s100.o00 to Christian education ana his liberality in the erection of the Sunday school plant of the First Methodist church all bear testimony to the breadth of his views and his zeal for the onging of the church. He was an enthusiast in foreign mis- sion work and the official board of the First Methodist church will not forget his oft and earnest pleas for the missionary end of the contribution envelope.
 Always Had Some Plan.
 He would frequently call at my study and say with a cordial smile, Want to take little ride?" always knew by that invitation that he had some plan connected with the local or general church work to lay be- fore me. During the last drive l ever took with him-he was then growing feeble--he detailed to me his plans for Birmingham Southern col- lege. involving his personal efforts and gifts for 10 years to come, which. if he had lived, would have doubtless meant a half a million dollar main building for Birmingham Southern college. He had also plans looking 10 te further development of the Southern assembly at Lake Jn- aluska. North Carolina, to which hr had given thousands of dollars and days and weeks of earnest toll. What ever meant the development and for ward movement of the church and the salvation of men appealed tt him. Whenever I brought to Bir- mingham prominent preachers 0! teachers for the education or in. spirati of the people, alway' 1 found his liberal check either mailed