Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-13
Social and Otherwise.
IAll items of social interest will be gladly noted in this column if sent to Mrs. George C. Ball, 21S1 Highland avenue


 C. Ball, 2ls1 Highland avenue.l
 To one who observes closely and phil osophically the trend of modern thought and it's expression there can be no more en- eouraging sign of these latter times than the almost universal religious faith of the people. This is not an age of in1dels, nor is it a time of disbelief. It is period of unlimited investigation, yet at no epoch of the worlds history has religion been so widespread and so genuine. A few years ago the minds of men were troubled by certain geological discoveries which seemed incompatible with the statements of holy writ; now, wise men have found explana- tions of all incongruities. and the great mass of humanity accepts the gospel and it's beautiful, simple doctrines with the faith Of children. Unfortunately there are stiil to be found occasionally, and will con- tinue to be until the millennial dawn a cer- tain class of minds which deems lack of faith an evidence of mental activity and an indication of a high order of intelligence. Many young men-few young women, be it said to their credit-have fallen into tbls unfortunate mistake and have encouraged all possible doubts, believing these doubts to be indices of genius. h the lives of most young men there comes time when they are assailed by this device of the arch enemy, and it is ouly the strong, strong of brain and strong of soul, who come out Of the conflict with their faith unshaSen. The greatest minds in this country and abroad, with very limited exceptions, are on the side of Christianity and it's simple teachings. And it requires man and woman of genius to rise above the miser. able fogs of doubt and disbelief. It Is only those who have not the strength of mind to throw off the weight of doubt who do not reach m atmosphere oftruth and faitb, which is illumined, not only with the light or revelation, but with the brightness which comes from the genius of the aGesl Even agnostic is rarely found in these latter times, save among those unfortunate young people whose minds are still un- settled and not yet equal to the acceptance of the simple faith o1 the gospel.
 Cardinal Gi bbons in a strong sermon, preached on Epiphany Sunday at Balti- more, lays down these three statements, which cannot be controverted;
 1. Ten thousand difficulties do not make a single doubt, and ten thousand doubts do not destroy a single fact of Revelation. Ten thousand layers of fog and cloud do not blot out the sun in the heavens, nor di- minish it's splendor.
 2. The Christian religion has been in possession for 200O years, and has been cherished by the wisest and best of men in every age and country, and it is stronger today than it ever was before.
 8. All the civilizations of the past and all existing civilizations of today, worthy of the name, have been based upon the doctrinal and moral principles of the Bible.
 As Cardinal Gibbons has said, so say nearly all the brilliant men and women of today, nearly all of whom have taken their stand fearlessly upon the side of Chris. tianity, and those who still cherish doubts and disbelief are in a minority, not only hopeless, but insignificant.
 
 The Cadmean circle met with Mrs. Harry Jones on Friday afternoon. It was ses- sion of unusual interest. The circle de- cided to assist in the formation of feder- ation of women's clubs in Alabama. In many of the states exist federations of clubs. which have for their object the bringing together in community ofinter- ests the various women's clubs. These federations are non-seotarian and non- political and are intended to encourage all literary and artistic matters. There are number of women's literary clubs in Ala bama-one at Montgomery, one at Tuska- loosa, one at Anniston, one at Selma, sev- eral in Birmingham and others in various parts of the state-whch will no doubt unite in forming federation. The Cad mean circle on Friday afternoon also de- with the public library at the high school building. One of Conan Doyle's stories was read before the circle by Mrs. John Towers, and fine paper upon the mind by the leader, Mrs.. E. N. Allen. The Cadmean circle begins now the study of psychology and Mrs. Aliens paper was preface to this work. After refreshme were served the circle adjourned to meet with Mrs. James A. Going next Friday afternoon.
 MT. and Mrs. Charles Page Perrin, lately of Tennessee, have moved to Birmip gham during the past week and will make charm ing additions to the social life of our city. They have not yet decided upon residence, but will probably reside on the South Highlands. MT. Perrin is connected with the Corona Coal company.
 From St. Louis, Mo-, comes this item of interest: ''The good citizens of Birming- ham, Ala, are not aware that they have a lady residing in their city who was the wife of Polish count. She is living quietly and unpretentiously in a small cottage on the South Highlands. When the sister of the count died she left her brother's wife quite snug little fortune."
 Next Tuesday evening at the Simpson Methodist Episcopal church at o'clock Bishop John H. Vincent will deliver his famous lecture, ''Tom and His Teach- ers." Bishop Vincent needs no introduc- tion to the citizens of Birmingham, for him, he is known to all by reputation. Bishop Vincent is the author or originator of the International Sunday school lessons and also was the founder of the great Chautauqua lecture and reading courses or circle at Chautauqua lake, New York many years ago. He Is a man of unusual ora torical ability and has reached position iu his church of great dignity and honor. It may not be familiar fact to many in Bir- mingham that Bishop Vincent Is native Alabamian, having been born in Tuska- loosa, and. it is said that he feels gen. uine pride in this fact. He will doubtless be greeted by large audience on Tuesday evening, eager to hear the distinguished lecturer.
 Perhaps the most notable musical hap. pening of the past few months was the rendering of 8 portion of new opera, "The Scarlet Letter." few days ago at Carnegie's hall, New York. The libretto was written by George Parsons Lathrop, and is an adaptation of Hawthorne's novel, "The Scarlet Letter.'' MT. Lathrop does not follow exactly, or attempt to repro duce faithfully, the original of Hawthorne, but he has succeeded in giving pictur- esque plot for the musical score. Walter no h oad ba of iu