The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-20
CROWD CONDEMNS JEWISH MASSACRE Two Thousand People at sljou Express Their Feelings SERMON BY DR. WHARTON Subject Was "Death at Banquet and the Speaker Referred to
 the Downfall of
 Babylon.

Jews in Russia. The immense auolence gathered at the Bijou theatre to hear the Rev. Dr. H. M. Wharton rose as one man and in this way expressed thelr feeling. It was a demonstration the ike of which has rarely been witnessed in Birmingham. At the conclusion Of ms sermon Dr. Wharton paid the following tribute to the Jews
 Although persecuted in many parts or the world, the Jews are today one or the most wonderful people of the earth. have great respect for the people thst gave us our Saviour and have furnished so many missionaries
 Dr. Wharton then denounced the pres- ent prosecutions in Russia "Wnicn are shilling the blood of thousands of innocent people." His statement was followed by anplause. The speaker asked that all those who agreed with him in den?uncing the persecutions should rise. Every man and boy in the building rose.
 The Sermon. Tn spite of the unfavorable weather an audience of over 2000 men packed the theatre.
 Dr. Whartons address, 'Death at |
 Ranouet" was delivered with his char acteristic eloouence, and was intsrsparseo with many effective illustrations. He sang one of. his favorite selections, lhose Beautiful Hands"
 | In the audience were many empioyes | of the shops visited last week by pr Wharton number of college boys' Tn the city to attend the football gams yes- | terday, were present. In every way the meeting was successful. At the close pr Wharton requested that everyone pres- l ent who was not a church member put who felt that he could trust his heart and soul to Jesus should rise. Many re- sponded in all parts of the audience The meeting was opened by prayer by the Rev. Dr. A. R. Moore, pastor or the First Christian church, followed py hymn. Dr. Wharton then read rom the | fifth chapter of the prophecy or Dahiei' | concerning the feast and banquet Of Bel | shazzar from which he took his text Just as he was beginning his address heavy downpour of rain attracted the at- | tention of everyone in the theatre. Dr. Wharton said that in Africa the prisoners are buried in sand to their necks. The nreachers are then summoned and with their hearers in this position they preach to them The speaker said that he held his audience in similar confinement. and hoped that the rain would continue for | an hour.
 Drh wharton's address in part was as follows:
 .'rhe city of Babylon was one of the largest in the world. fifteen miles square. surrounded by wall $50 feet high and eighty feet thick. Eight chariots could be driven abreast around this wall Bel shazzar, the king of the Chaldeans, had his palace in this city, and, as he thought was absolutely safe within his impreg- nable walls.
 s'The city was In a state of siege, the Assyrian forces being encamped just ou. side of the walls of the city. The Euph- rates river flowed through the city, tho land was well irrigated and large crops were produced. So Belshazzar though he was safe and independent in this city
 gro a great banquet he invited thous- ands of his lords and their wives, anc they drank and feasted and were moi afraid He ordered the vessels taker from Jerusalem to be secured to show thai he did not fear divine power
 while they were drinking and making merry, hand appeared on the wall and began writing. Belshazzar was greatly frightened He became pale In the face weak in the back, and his knees smott together. And now here let me call at tention to the accurate description of 8 frightened man.
 T was on picket duty once in Virginia during the war, and every twig thai broke, every o'possum, every coon tha broke the stiffness of the night, I was sure was the entire army of the enemy Not only did turn pale in the face, veal in the back, and my knees smote together but my teeth did the same.
 Tt reminds me of the story told by Gen. John B. Gordon. one of the greates men this country ever produced. in hi' lecture on the Last Days of the Confed eracy,' when he said that in the heat o battle he once called to a fleeing Confed crate, What are you running forT ant the frightened man yelled back. Becaus' I can't fly
 'I was in Rockford, H., once and wa: visiting the post of the Grand Army O. the Republic. As I was the first Confed crate ever in the hall, I was called on fol speech and in my talk I related tha anecdote. A little later a Federal officer arose and said he had companion stor, to that one He said that once a Fedora was running from the battle as fast a. ever man went. He called to him to stop but no attention was paid, and aftel several calls, the officer drew his revol yer, and said he would shoot if he did no stop. The scared soldier replied, Q shoo and be hanged, what's one bullet to bushel
 Science and Religion.
 But, to resume, Belshazzar was great ly troubled and summoned his scientists They knew nothing, about the same al scientists of this day know. especial, about religion Herbert Spencer once sait Scientists never have and never vii discover God all we know is that W, stand in some great power
 'One cannot find God with his mind. I takes the heart. So the scientists coult not interpret the writing. and Daniel wa, brought in Daniel said he could read it but before he did. he gave the reasons fol the writing.
 sThen follows one of the most sting ing indictments and arraignments evel | made. and I would suggest that ever,