Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-09
THE CHAUTAUQUANS.
What Is Being Done and Said by Eminent Peo- pie at the Notable Assem-
 blage-Noies.

Talladega, July 6.-(Special Core spondenee )-This has been truly de- lirhtful day in the Alabama Chautauqua assembly. Rev. s. P West, the only man inrthe United States who upon his lone shoulders is bearing the financial load of d Chautaqua assembly, is entitled to not only the gratitude, but the pecuniary support as well, of every intelligent, state loving Alabamian. He has provided a magnificent order of literary and musl- cal good things, which it is great pity for any one who can hear to miss. The prospects are growing brighter ana brighter. Among the additional attrae- tfons for the week are teachers instl- tute, conducted by MT. J. B. Cunning ham. pr. George R. McNeill MT. J. B. Graham, Misses Bostick, Gardner, Braun and May and discussion of the money question by Congressman John II. Bank head and his predecessor, Capt. John M. Martin.
 Rev. A. w. Lamar this morning had the distinction of receiving the first Chautauqua salute from the Talladega assembly. His lecture with the queer title, "Ten Dollars and Costs" had aroused no little curiosity as to the theme upon which he would speak. Th's phrase, borrowed from the report of the
 
 pressive text for noble. manly plea fer the complete prohibition of the dread full liquor traffic. Dr. Lamar once Vis- ited a court room and heard a poor wretch for the ninth time in ninety days, fined Ten dollars and costs" Ten dollars we know and that is small thing bu: oh that the world might real ize the costs They are loss of character, loss of home, loss of soul; and the sp.en- did $1000-license saloon is the kinder garten from which are graduated in the low dive many of the brightest in our land. They say prohibition doesn't pro- hihit, but no law is perfectly enforced, and so long as S5 per cent of all the crlm- inalS are the result of the drink habit, why not at least try the Irish woman's remedy of shutting up the drink?
 Against the saloon keeper he said noth- ing personally but hurled his invectives against the terrible nefarious business in which he is often ignorantly engaged. He made beautiful apostrophe to home 1.-the homes of the people. the Heavenly home above.
 7J3lessings, it is said, brighten as they take their flight. and three times today has this truth been realized by the Chau- tauquans for not only Dr. Lamar, put also Mr. Brooks and MT. Merrill have been most delightful in their farewell ap- pearances. A high compliment this when it is remembered how charming were their previous entertainments.
 The special features of the afternoon concert by the Laverty orchestra were "Honeymoon March," dedicated to the brides of the season." and being now played in the leading cities of the coun> try; "Margaretta Polka composed by MT Laverty and named in honor of his baby and Sounds From Home, sstringed quartette--violoncello viola, first and second violin.
 MT. Merrill's highly enjoyed selections A XNar1'c xypll-knnwn 'l1On- don Lecture" Richard Harding Davis ,sRoy Orator of Sopanto City, story or woman's love and woman's devotion, Will Ii m Dean Howells life-like farce, '.sIhe- Sleeping r.""-James Whifeomb Riley's
 -.skle Boy of Mine" and his unpub- lished Story of the Little Boy ana the Bear.''
 The round table was opened with prayer by pr. J. B. Hawthorne after which MT. Merrill gave delightful talk upon Expression" which, he sad, is after all. only possession" The high est art isl to conceal art, and while he be- lieves in gestures they are often in the effort to illustrate every idea, very mar tistic and very ridiculous-a theory which he set forth in most amusing manner. In truly artistic manner, lhoush, ,. si, he read Tennyson's exquisite songs, ASK Me No More'' and Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead" ,.,e IT Mr Brooks simply excelled hiinsell in his final entertainment this evening Besides "Old Ace" The Swing, ioaln Yard Melodies" and "The Orthod OK Team" which he repeated by special re- quest he recited Don't You Think 50, Bill" in which, among other good thlngs, he said, They say marriages faliure, but you'd have a business failure upon the same neglect" As fragrant thanks for a great bunch of roses, "The Sky lark" "Silly Billy" whose pedigree was upset by the lightning that struck his family tree, but who, as the sequel showed, had a great soul inside. the stammering boys story or me war a, Camp Meeting::" "The Miracle of Cana" To him who colors the clouds and flowers s'twas no more difficult to tint few drops of water for Cana's wedding feast. t'In Yosemite" MT. Brooks reached the high water mark of his ability as poet and reader. His vivid pictures of the great pines that stand like plumed war riors and of the awful masonry of God rose even to sublimity
 After the exercises at the assembly hall, although the hour was late an eager company gathered upon the gal -lery and steps of Captain Plowman's shone to hear MT. Merrill in "Esmer- aida" His rendition of this was well anigh perfect, especially or "Old Man Rogers" in her respect for mother, with his high spirits and his tender love for "Esmeralda.'' his little gal ! sa Sunday was a beautiful, calm. holy Sabbath. After Sunday school in the va- .rieus city churches a large congregation assembled in the hall to hear the eminent Baptist divine, Dr. J. B. Hawthorne, of Atlanta, Ga. MT. Tom Williams, one of Talladega's blind musicians presided at the piano and a choir upon the plat form led in the singing of such good old hymns as Am I Soldier of the Cross?" How Firm a Foundation" There Is a Fountain" and Coronation" The two- fold text was from John and Matthew, ..I am the light of the world-ye are the light of the world" and the sermon was deeply spiritual and full of gospel truth, q fitting dedication of the new assembly hall It is not true that education is the spanacea for all moral vices. There are many minds luminous as the knowledge, while the hearts are flowing fountains of iniquity. Benedict Arnold and George Washington, Ingersoll and Gladstone are perhaps intellectual peers. but the differ .ence in character is immeasurable. What is needed is personal savior who in him self has transforming and recreating power. Salvation is to know God, not to know something about him, and mo man knoweth the Father but the Son and him Ito swhom the Son hath revealed him."