The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-04-04
Dr. Preston B. Wells

wv sss'a:a% sa' sa'ss' o' ,ss ss' ssfii Methodist church next Sap- bath morn. redecorated rearranged ! aftei weeks of repair work and hust- ] ling, bustling people making it over, If l you happen to be sensitive to atmos- l phere' you will be conscious of cer- tain subdued note-a certain dignity, and a certain beauty of religious en- vironment not that next Sabbath morn will be different from another as far as atmosphere is concerned, for 1t IS always there-has always been there since the coming of the beloved pastor, Dr. Preston B. Weils-but it is record- ed in passing, merely because of the fact that the membership has missed the beautiful auditorium during the weeks of repairs" and 'overhauling."
 The main impression that one r=- ceives of the service a the Highlands Methodist church Is that of quietness and simple gentleness and the impress sion grows as the service advances: there is a breath on the face of the waters; the subtle breath of person alfty: perhaps the key is more minor than major, but it is appealing, poiG nant; the minister is in the grip of some strong emotion which colors hymn and prayer and lesson. as though he has come from some sudden vision Of the worlds Wiokedness and the worlds wrong doing; as if he hears ths world laundering by to destruction in frenzy of luXury and pleasure and needless riot; and raising his voice in supplicat ation the troubled sea outside int In hn 1,,,f f,f h nd 10 peace of a benediction--and this my friends describes the beloved pastor of Highlands Methodist church, Dr. Wells, and his influence upon the congresa- ton which sits under the ministry of his teaching.
 Dr. Wells is an optimist pure and simple; he is the type of the poet preacher in the pulpit; he has the poets intensity of vision, the poets quick, emotional responses, and the poets imaginative fervor: and he isn't afraid to express his convictions and stand by them like the true Christian soldier that he is.
 Tennyson said of Swinburne that "he is a tube through which all things blow into music"
 Of Dr. Wells 1t might be paraphrased into-"he is a tube through which all things blow into religion" for this sen- sitiveness to impression, the faculty oI seeing everything IS reverting to the Christian faith, characterizes his daily life and work.
 I heard Dr. Wells say one Sabbath morn that if he were offered a fabu- lous sum to forsake the ministry that it would have no effect whatever upon him, for he'd rather be a minister ot the gospel than occupy the highest blaze in the world of finance and com merce
 Dr. Wells is the type of man who "grows upon one,' if the bromidic eX- pression may be used, and to be stil! further bromidic ito know him is L, love him. and the members of his congrega tion, day by day and month by month, have realized his ability anl his high Christian character, and day by day, and month by month, have become closer to him. and nearer tc him in the great work that he is do ing.
 Although Dr. Wells has been a resi- dent of Birmingham for three years it has never been my pleasure to write a story about him until now-anG while 1 didn't need an eXcuse-still u the same time the opening of the audi torium of the Highlands Methodist church next Sunday, at which time Bishop James Atkins will conduct the morning service and in the afternoon will assist pr. Wells and Dr. George R. stuart of the First Methodist church in the great mass meeting to be held in the Highlands Methods: