The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-08
M E N, w O M E N
 A ND THIN G s

WilAie tHeTes ana began 10 leu me SohlS tS.ings, about him.
 He told me that he was a Presbyterian Seventh Presbyterian church of Jesus Christ, and for more than quarter of a century had ben at work on the East Side :n a e4strict of more than three quarter of q million souls.
 As he warmed up to his subject, he spoke of how he had been the good shepherd of Jew and Gentle, Catholic and Protestant and how his hold on all classes, and creeds was most extraordi- nary. In fact he made him out as do- ing in the great metropolis the work which has made Brother Bryan the best beloved man in Birmingham.
 I heard him through and then I said his name is John Wids. and have known him more than a quarter of century. for he was born and reared in east Tennessee. near where I began my his vacations I had the pleasure of go- ing on an outing with him and some mutual friends, and got to see quite good deal of him.
 And then among the first things did upon entering the ministry was to re- new my sociological studies by visiting 8 number of the largest cities at the request of the evangelical ministers of Atlanta lt- of for of charitable or rescue work being done in connection with or outside of the churches.
 It was therefore, perfectly natural while engaged in this duty that l visited John Wilds to see what he was doing in the heart of the great East Side of New York, which is the supreme melt Ing pot of America with it's polygiot population. and of the intensest interest to every one who cares to make first hand sociological studies.
 l I called on him, and was most cordially received and after showing me around his own church and giving me data con corning other institutions he invited ne to come back and dine with him in or der that we might get an early start to visit a mission over in Brooklyn where he was anxious for me to get in touch with him. I have always cherished a feeling of interest in his work and grati- tude for his courtesies.
 l I have outlined this much in order to lead up and lay basis for the keen delight I had when MT. Joseph outlined to me a surprise he and Mrs. Adler had for Sam. had known all along that there was q great friendship between John Wilds and Sam Adler They had been reared at Jonesboro, Tenn ~one or the oldest towns in the state. and one with much local history of interest. The maternal and paternal grandpar- ents of John T. wilds were born in the Wautagua district in the eighteenth cen- tury; and one of his great grandfathers and fought at the battle of Kings Noun tain. If you have never read up on the settlement of the beautiful Wautauga valley, advise you to do so, for 1t Is one of the great chapters in our early American history.
 The Adiers and the Wilds were close friends, and it was only natural that their children should carry on the friend ship But for the surprise. MT. Joseph. knowing of the David and Jonathan like friendship existing between Sam Ad- Ter and John Wilds arranged with the lat ter to come to Birmingham without the formers knowing anything about it. He did so. and the first intimation that Sam had that John was in this neck of the woods was when around dinner time he was told that friend was waiting for him in the library
 The next day I got to meet pr. Wilds at a dinner at the Tutwiler given to him by Sam Adler. The guests were Drs. Newfeld. Edmonds. Messrs. M. w. Jo- seph. F. P. Glass and Victor Hanson. | soon learned that there was a New York Presbyterian preacher who was on as good terms with the Jews as Is Dr. Henry M. Edmonds of Birmingham. At the reception somewhiie back at the Phenix club in honor of Dr. Newf1eld l spoke of Rabbi Henry M. Edmonds and Pastor Morris Newfield in order to show the great friendship existing be- tween the two men and their congrega- tions.
 Dr. John T. Wilds is really a remark hbie character in the religious life of New York. yielding religious influence over a greater body of people than any other in the great city. It Is an influ- ence not confined to his own church, but overleaps denominational fences with an ease that is as surprising as it is rare; but more than this in its broad catho- licity 1t includes men. swomen and chill dren of all races and faiths. For S6 years he has put his life into the church he serves It Is the only pastorate he has ever had. The church itself Is more than 100 years old.
 It Is mighty hard to get Dr. Wilds to \ talk about his work. but those who know l about 1t are loud in it's praise. He is a scholar yet his days are spent with the needy and the suffering more than in his study. He Is Princeton graduate Frank Glass and the late Henry Sell heimer were among his college friends He it was who introduced William G. McAdoo to woodrow Wilson. and he is an intimate friend of them both. and was persona grata at the White House dur ing the presidency of the former. Il A mans life if given to good works is cumulative. This is why that he was en-