The age-herald., 1898-04-10
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Christ is risen from the dead. Men and angels sing Hallelujahs to the resurrected Lord. Flower-decked altars; pealing or gans; glorious Te Deums and worshipping millions throughout the Christian world today proclaim the grandest truth ever given to man, that death has been con- quered by the Son of God!
 The grave is tenantless; the stone placed by the Roman guard is rolled away and loving women hover close about this sacred spot. looking for the crueified Lord.
 On that first Easter day, in far-away Judea, the angel who kept watch in the rock-hewn tomb, told the story of the res urrection of the body which through the ages has brought comfort to coutless mill lions of bleeding hearts who mourned their dead. "He is not here; He is risen," has been whispered by the voices of angels to hearts that cried out in agony above newly made graves through the centuries that make up the worlds history. To the souls that have been crucified on dark Good Fridays the beautiful story of the resurrection brings hope and comfort. Be- cause the tomb where the Savior lay is empty, save for the white-wlnged angel. who guards the sacred spot. Christendom rejoices and keeps this glorious Easter Day. The agony of the cross is past; the silent sleep in the tomb Is over; the risen Christ proclaims today that death is swallowed up in victory" and saints on earth and saints above sing hallelujahs to the Him who hath put all things under His feet, even that last enemy, Death"
 Easter lilies, like sweet white swinging censers. are carrying the story of the res- urrection far out upon the winds of heaven; human voices will chant songs of triumph in Gods temples today and holy priests will tell of the love and sacrifice of the blessed Savior for mankind. This beautiful Easter Day finds the world eager to listen to the story of the resurrection, whether told in song, in the fragrance of spring flowers or from the lips of priest and pastor.
 The world is growing better and each Easter Day finds 1t step advanced towards the millennium time.
 
 Just two weeks from today, on the 24th inst, Birmingham will show to the state how she feels concerning the moral welfare of the children of Alabama through the agency of the grand Sunday school festival, which will occur at the Auditorium. It seems pity that this festival had not been arranged for this Easter Day, for in the beautiful plan of salvation it is child hood which has been the keynote of the glorious, never-dying melody.
 The 24th inst. will seem like a second Easter when the thousands of happy chill dren shall gather in the vast Auditorium, and Sunday school after Sunday school shall report their progress; listen to short, eloquent addresses, and, as one voice, sing the beautiful gospel hymns, dear to the hearts of young and old alike.
 The idea of this grand gathering of the Sunday school children of Alabama origin ated with Hon. J. A. Van Hoose, who has untiringly labored for the final success of the undertaking.
 The children and their teachers are com- ing from every direction, on the cars, in wagons, and on foot. Already more than three thousand have applied for seats in the auditorium, and each day additional re- quests are received by those in charge.
 The enterprise has grown to such propor- tions that it is probable there will be an overflow meeting, musical service, with brief addresses, at one of the large city churches, possibly at the First Methodist.
 All the street cars will give half rates to all scholars coming in regular bodies.
 Each Sunday school of the city will meet at it's respective church and from thence will march to the auditorium; schools from a distance will march directly to the audi torium from the cars, or the wagons, which will bring them to the city.
 Never before in the history of Alabama and probably never before in the history of the south has such idea materlalized.
 Never before has there been a building of sufficient dimensions in the state to rem der the consideration of such project fea- sible. Now, Birmingham is the only place where such an enterprise could be success fully carried out. This is no longer Bad Birmingham" and this glorious Easter day finds the city preparing for such a gathering of happy children, moving, marching, singing and praying under the banner of the cross as will prove a great animated, massng object lesson of the worlds progress towards the realization of higher and nobler ideals.
 This Sunday school festival will stand for united, combined, aggressive work. It will, in no sense, be a frolic, but a tremen- dous religious gathering of the children of the state, upon whom will soon come the serious responsibilities of citizenship.
 It will be "Childrens day. in it's broad est and best significance, and shall surely prove blessed benediction to all ages and conditions.
 The glorious causes of Christ and His children is being led by Alabama's young est city. While other southern towns, in other states, are becoming familiar with questionable Sunday diversions, Birming- ham will hold within its borders on Sunday April 24, more children who are labor.ng for tha eyfenson of the gOSDeI than has