John Clifford

The Council of the Baptist Union in London was holding one of its regular meetings. The "Grand Old Man of Nonconformity"--John Clifford (87)--was present. He was pro- posing a vote of sympathy for the union's secretary, Mr. De Shakespere, soon to undergo a delicate operation on the eyes. "I commend my friend to God," said John Clifford. He stopped, paled, collapsed, almost instantly died.

For 50 years Dr. Clifford has been one of England's leaders. Said Lloyd George once: "I would rather ring a coin on the conscience of John Clifford than on that of any other man in England." Ten years ago he became widely known in the U. S. when he presided at the Baptist World Conference in Philadelphia and spoke with long-remembered eloquence. The universities of the U. S., led by that of Chicago, heaped honors upon him.

In July, 1914, Dr. Clifford was at a peace conference at Worms, Germany. He hurried back to England, pleading for peace. A month later he was recruiting.

Born in a grimy village in the factory district of Derbyshire, son of a "hardfisted, Methodist, blacksmith father," his dark youth was lightened by a gentle mother from whom he learned the Baptist faith.