The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-05-07
ANNIVERSARY OF ADULT BIBLE CLASS
Pioneer Sunday Class Cele-
 brates 20th Anniversary : With Founder Present

With more than 300 guests in at tendance. Class XII of the Fifth Ave- nue Presbyterian Church celebrated it's twentieth anniversary last night at the Hillman hotel. This was the first organized adult Bible class in Bir- mingham and is believed to have been the first in the United States. At the present time there are 57.000 organ ize6 Bible classes in the United States.
 A gala affair was made of the oc- casion. The members Of the class, past members and officers and friends donned bright-colored paper hats and cars and held a jubilee meeting. An elaborate menu was served and an elaborate programme was carried out afterward. Rev. J. s. Bridges, the or ganizer of the class. who has since en- tered the ministry. was one of the guests of honor at the banquet. Dr., and Mrs. I. D. Steel now of Chatta- nooga. were two other honor guests. Dr. Steel was pastor of the Fifth Ave- nue Presbyterian Church at the time the class was organized and made its initial strides. which have since re- suited in the genera. organization of Bible classes and the reorganization of Sunday schools on more efficient lines
 Dr. Lola Taylor. assistant teacher of Class XII, presided a. the banquet last night Dr. Joseph M. Broadly. pastor of the Fifth Avenue Presby- terlan Church. was one of the prin- cipal speakers and talked on the work of the adult department of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Sunday School.
 The officers of Class XII are J c. Smith, teacher: Dr. Lola Taylor, as- sistant teacher; A. R. Patton, presi- dent; Miss Irene Cox. vice president; :; Miss Laura Eberhardr. secretary; Wal ter A. Hudson assistant secretary: Miss Willie Connor corresponding secretary; Miss Nettie Lou Wells, treasurer; J. W. Blank ;nship. librarian. and Miss Alma Partain. assistant librarian.
 The Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Sum- day School has been fhe pioneer in Sunday school organixa tion. Its work has expanded rapidly during tho twenty years since the organization of Class XII and the subsequent or ganjzation of the entire Sunday school department. Five other Sunday schools in Birmingham have followed on It's plan of organization. During the past year new annex has been opened on Els hteenth street adjoining the church for the primary and beginners de- partments of the Sunday school. The entire offering of the Sunday school goes to the support of missions The Sunday school work is supported by the church. The Sunday school sup ports a great number of mission workers. both home and foreign
 Following the invocation by Rev. l. D. Steel the dinner was served There were musical numbers by double quartet After greetings by Charles F. Massey Dr. Steel in a brief ad- dress. outlined the organization Of the class and its original inception. There was a violin selection by Miss Harriet Tutwiler.
 Rev. J. s. Bridges. father of the class. and Mrs Bridges delivered ad- dresses and were given an ovation by the guests. After song by the en- tire gathering. Mrs. P. F. Green de- livered an address. '~here was duet by Mrs McMasters and Mir. Bellah Other addresses were delivered hv T C. Smith N H. Freeman. Joe c. Hall, Mrs Isrura J Davids Mrs B. P. Mims' w. F Tyler. Miss Mvra Batchelder, pr kJ. M Broadly and Mrs. I. D. Steel Where were other musical selections by Miss Tutwiler, Mrs. McMasters and a male quartet The programme ended with brief reminiscent talks by nun Der of members. The dinner ended with a benediction nv Dr. Broadv after the guests had sung "Blest Be the Tie That Binds.''