DR. LEN G. BROUGHTON.
The subject of this sketch is a native of the grand old State of North Carolina. As he grew up he chose medicine for his profession. But while a medical student in Louisville he was not inactive in Christian work. Dr. Broadus told him that he would become a preacher. It did not take many years to verify this prediction. Those who heard him in his lecture will recall his mention of his medical studies in New York, and will also recall his indirect testimony to the helpfulness of the study of medicine in his pastoral work.
In 1893 Dr. Broughton took charge of the Calvary Baptist church in the growing city of Roanoke, Va. The splendid energy and leadership of the man soon made the church one of the greatest factors in the life of the city. Here he labored for four years with remarkable success, when he received a call to Atlanta. Responding to this call, he entered with ardor upon his present pastorate. It soon became evident that a larger and more commodious building was needed. Thus the present plant came into existence. This was built, not for display, but as a hive for busy workers. A bare mention of the work of this church is inspiring. The colony following him in this new building enterprise numbers about 250, mostly younger members, and with no wealth ahead. The tabernacle seats 37,000 persons. Here the pastor is leader in the regular services, but it requires an assistant and a secretary to keep the work up. The church also employs a general missionary and a lady missionary. There are two missions under the fostering care of the church. At these Sunday-school and preaching services are maintained. Besides the regular preaching services may be mentioned the home Sunday-school, Church Prayer Meeting, Young People's Union, Teachers' Training Class for the study of the lesson, Men's City Mission and Bible Society, Ladies' Aid and Bible Society, Dorcas Society for aiding in city missions, Young Girls' Flower Mission, Song Practice by choir and orchestra, Sunbeam Class, etc.
Besides these the church has an infirmary with a full medical and surgical staff, in addition to a resident physician, superintendent, and superintendent of nurses. Nurses are furnished for service outside of the infirmary when required.
The infirmary is thoroughly equipped with all modern appliances. The prices are moderate, and there is a free ward for those unable to pay the regular fees. Religious services are held regularly.
There is also a dormitory for young ladies where cheap but excellent accommodations are provided for from 35 to 50. The missionary of the church lives at the dormitory and conducts Bible readings at the daily prayer services. All are required to attend these services. The missionary also conducts a Bible class for nurses at the infirmary.
There has been added recently a school of cookery, where for a moderate charge the useful art is well taught. The Tabernacle Bible Conference and School of Methods has become an annual feature not only in the church but also in the city. I may give only the names and addresses of the speakers at the last conference: Rev. F. B. Meyer, London, England; Rev. C. J. Scofield, Dallas, Texas; Rev. S. D. Cordon, Cleveland, 0.; Rev. A. C. Dixon, Boston, Mass.; Rev, J. H. McConkey, Pennsylvania; Maj. J. H. Cole, Adrian, Mich.; Mrs. and Miss Cole, Rev. W. E. Blackstone, Chicago, Ill.; Mr. W. P. Moody, East Northfield, Mass.; Rev. J. W. McCollum, Japan.
Dr. Broughton also delivers a great many addresses on the lecture platform. His sermon in London last summer, where he supplied for Rev. G. Campbell Morgan, made a profound impression on the world's metropolis.
Dr. Broughton is the author of the following books: "Old Wine in New Bottles," "The Representative Women of the Bible and the Representative Women of To-day," "The Second Coming of Christ," "Seed Time and Harvest, "The Revival of a Dead Church," "American Idolatry," "God's Will and My Life," "The Soul-winning Church."
I forgot to mention the Baraca Bible Class and the Elocution Class.
For some time the church issued a weekly bulletin containing a sermon by the pastor and church news. Later this was enlarged and made a monthly, without the sermon, but a weekly sermon is published in The Religious Forum, of which Dr. Broughton is an associate editor.
All this work calls for a great deal of money, and the members are not rich. But they are expected and trained to give regularly. This they do, and liberally, too. The Treasurer's report for 1904 shows that the total amount of $35,249.57 was raised. But this sketch is full long now.
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