The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-27
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS
A Sunday night in Birmingham!


 This is not to be Ia tract on better Sunday observance. but the story of what l saw and heard in the way of re- ligious services.
 l seldom get to spend Sunday in Bir- mingham, and when I do I'm generally called upon to preach, and therefore have no chance to visit the churches.
 It's the fad in some cities to go slum- ming, or to the movies, or to take in the vaudeville houses, or look in on the regular theatres
 I thought last Sunday night I would visit some downtown services and see just how Birmingham was meeting the religious needs of the people.
 
 l started with the Salvation Army. It was holding it's meeting on the corner of First avenue and Twentieth street. It was typical street crowd that was lis tening to the catchy religious music and fervid gospel talks.
 1 then went to Capitol park, where l found goodly company of men and women listening to a strong plea made by Dr. John S. Foster, to let Jesus come into their homes. Here the music was feature, as three of the best choirs in the city united in their efforts in sing ing the old familiar gospel hymns. The song service and the sermon were great ly enjoyed by the outdoor audience
 
 I went by to get a glimpse of George Stuart and his congregation at the First Methodist church. George is a great drawing card, and an overflow audience was out to greet him on his return from North Carolina. He not only talked on cheerfulness, but he radiated it. He had a great chance, speaking, as he did, on Faith, Hope and Love-" and he drove the Sermon on the Mount into the hearts and consciences of his congregation. The music was highly devotional.
 Of course I wanted to see and hear the Lyric was packed with people to hear his interpretation of the Good Sa- maritan and the audience was enthused when he announced that it had been de- cided by his congregation to buy lot and build a permanent house of worship on the South Highlands. The quartet was at its best.
 I then went to the Orpheum to see how the evangelistic services under the lead-s ership of Rev. w. J. Ray and Rev. Curtis 
 gart was preaching and making strong appeal to the unconverted to get right with God. The singing led by Rev. Jack Johnson was enthusiastic, the choir and the congregation taking part.
 
 I take the five places visited as typi- cal of the way the religious forces of this great city are trying to reach the great throngs who live in the downtown district. Each one was making an hon. est effort to fulfill it's mission.
 In the Salvation Army I saw the typi- cal type of street preaching with the blare of musical instruments and the rough and ready talk to reach 8 passing throng amidst the noise and confusion of the city's traffic.
 At Capitol park l saw the united ef- fort of three downtown churches to take the gospel out in the open air. It was refreshing to see the people out under the trees There were tired mothers with children playing around their knees, while others were nursing babes at their breast, and in the background the counting couples
 The great crowds at the First Method ist church represented the power Of great congregation organized and at work in it's own house. It was a tribute to the earnestness of George Stuart, the great gospel preacher. The streets in and around were crowded with automo- piles, showing that he was drawing from all parts of the city.
 
 At the Lyric Dr. Edmonds, by charm of manner, gift of speech and beauty of thought, was holding a cultured crowd spellbound with the matchless power of his personality and the unique ness of his message. At the Orpheum back of the stage was a great red cross typical of the saving power of the Blood of the Lamb, and emblematic of the Christ whom Curtis shugart was offering to shining men and women as Savior. returned home with a prayer in my heart for all the services and asked a. blessing upon all the preachers who are trying to carry the Christ to the people.
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