The age-herald., 1898-04-25
GLORIOUS SIGHT
 AT AUDITORIUM Child and Adult Joined in Wor-
 ship of the Creator. WORK OF J. A. VAN H00SE Denominationa Lines Were 0bliterated and Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, tpis- copaIar, Christians, AeknoM-
 edged the Same Gc''. '
WORK OF J. A. VAN HO0SE

Never in the history of Birmingham has such glorious sight been witnessed as that presented at the auditorium yesterday afternoon when four thousand children and not less than twenty-five hundred 1 adults were gathered In one grand, har- monious whole for the worship of their cretor. The men and women of the Nine- l teenth century who were present caught l an inspiring glimpse of the coming Twen- tieth century. The children, whose happy, | alert faces bespoke their devotion to the great Sunday school work of the present | time will be the men and women who shall some day direct the destinies of church and state, when rest comes to those who labor now.
 | Looking from the stage out upon the great sea of human faces that crowded 1 the auditorium yesterday afternoon one | felt the irresistible electric force that seemed to connect every man, woman and child in the big building with bond | of loving sympathy. The very atmosphere was charged with a magnetic current that drew humanity closer together in the noble concerns, which as to make up the work of the world today.
 The two centuries-the present and the one that is rapidly approaching-me upon the threshold of an epoch in the history Of the republic. and both, the one that is going and the one that is to come, looked questioning into a future big with tre- mendous potentialfties, with a firm, abid- ing faith in that God who neither slum- bers nor sleeps, but holds the nations in the hollow of His hand.
 | Long before the appointed hour the crowd began to assemble. Sunday schools l of every faith, from every direction, with | banners and badges; family groups, dele- | gations from secular schools and men and women in every walk and condition of life, wended their way to the great building that Is destined in future to hold the ma jority of the important conventions, relig- ious and political, that convene in the state.
 From the wee little toddler to the fair maiden and manly youth, the Sunday school army marshalled it's forces in Bir- mingham yesterday, and gave an object lesson that the youngest child will bear upon the tablets of it's heart as long as life endures. And that lesson was the glo- rious unity of Christianity, that is spread | ing over the universe with apower and | strength that no man can estimate. | yesterday afternoon at the auditorium. | Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalians Baptists, Christians acknowledged no diff ference, but were united as grand army with one purpose, one aspiration under the beautiful banner of the Cross. Men. women and children lost sight of doctrines and creeds, forgot for the time being tenets, canons and rubrics and remembered only that glorious truth, uttered when the cen turies were young "There shall be one Shepherd and one Fold"
 The drawing closer together in bonds of | tender sympathy of the different branches | of the Christian faith is acknowledged by every keen observer of the trend of events The civilization of this vital pe- riod is bringing into loving touch the great bodies of Christianity. The dawning of a. better, brighter, sweeter time is at hand, and the outpouring of all denominations yesterday afternoon at the auditorium was like the crimson glow upon the mountain tops, that froetells the break of glorious day!
 The man to whom the city and county are indebted for this beautiful demonstra- ton of Christian unity is Hon. James X. Van Hoose, whose very human instincts keep him in touch with the children, ard with every thing that has for it's object the improvement of the race. MT. Van Hoose does not pose as saint; he does not possess a halo; he never has time or inclination to play the Pharisee, but he always finds opportunity to reach out a helping hand to needy humanity. He does the good thing that lies nearest to him. and when the reckoning day comes, and the Great Book is opened, there will be need for few tear drops from the Record ing Angel for to his account will stand a long, long list of righteous deeds!
 MT. Van Hoose was ably assisted by a number of useful men, prominent citizens, who freely gave their time and energies to make of the wonderful gathering all occasion so memorable that it would prove a date line in the annals of the city. | Such men as Dr. J. H. Phillips, Prof. Brown, Dr. J. c. LeGrand, Colonel E. l.. Higdon, Mr. Charles Roberts, Profs. F. M. Roof, J. B. Cunningham, Messrs. William Mardie, W. M. Cosby, James Vinson, Prof. A. c. Moore, Captain J. w. Lee and others had so thoroughly arranged all the details under the direction of Mr. Van Hoose that there was not disagreeable l incident to mar the occasion.
 | The Auditorium was decorated tastefully in green and white bunting, the two colors being emblamatic of immortality and pur- ity.
 The stage was filled with many of the clergymen of Birmingham, speakers on the programme, the Apollo orchestra, under MT. E. E. Williams direction, MT. Claude Seals, whose beautiful cornet playing was an essential feature in leading the vocal music, and we'll known citizens of Bir- mingham and other portions of the state. The music, both vocal and instrumental, was delightful and inspiring.
 Previous to the regular exercises, the or chestra played several charming selec- tions and every hymn was accompanied by the orchestra. and directed with artistic skill by MT. D. E. Williams, who has been very active and generous in doing his part | towards making the Sunday school con-