New Britain herald., 1924-02-04
CHURCH CROWDED
 RECORD IS BROKEN
Largest Crowd Ever in Protestant
 Church Here at Bible Glass

[ a total of 47j away from the lead { held by the Bartholow Bible class of 1 Mount Vernon. \. T.. and almost as i sures the New Britain class of win ] ming the Leland cup in the inter class contest.
 l Although President Arthur II. 1 Parker had made a drive for 1,500 men on the strength of an assured promise of 6SS from the Stanley Works, few members expected the session to equal or exceed the class previous high record of l,05S. at tained the day former Governor Everett J. Lake spoke.
 The class opened 5 minutes earlier than usual with song service led by the new musical director, E. F. Armstrong. Between 500 and 700 men from the Stanley Works were present, each man wearing small Erass hinge, attached to the coat lapel by red. white and blue ribbon. At the same time 500 hymn books were presented to the class by the Stanley Works.
 Every available seat in the church was taken. The Sunday school room was thrown open and promptly filled. The balcony was opened and as promptly filled. In the choir box and around the pulpit 200 extra chairs were filled and ushers and class officers stood in the rear.
 The return of the old time en- thusiasm within the past few weeks has been somewhat of a sensation and hn ala ,. tention. Men were present yester- day from Mount Vernon. N. Y.. Bos- ton. Philadelphia, Vermont, Water bury and nearby cities. Several men were noticed in L. s. Army uniforms. Sitting with the Stanley Works men was C. r. Bennett, president of the company, and a number Of other officials. Representative E. w. Christ, secretary of the company. is former vice-president of the class Ralph Britton. song leader, also Stanley Works man, sang a solo.
 On the pulpit were number of sample boards containing displays of the Stanley Works products. Promi- nent among these was a butt hinge measuring two feet square, and
 
 a center pin which is lis inches in diameter and so inches long. The whole thing stood on a base which was 2s inches square.
 The total attendance figures were l,156 for New Britain and 6Sl for Mount Vernon, with Staten Island out of the contest and not reporting.
 Next Sunday will be Russell X Erwin Sunday. The following Sun- day, arrangements have been made to meet in the Capitol theater as it is not expected the church will be large enough to hold the crowd. The program for that day has not yet been announced. On the 24th Of this month, which is the last Sunday in the contest. Rev A. B. Taylor, Of | Greensburg, Pa, formerly of New Britain, will deliver the address. Mir | Taylor was at one time musical di- | rector of the class and when he | breaches February 2i, Rev John l.. | Davis will lead the singing
 At the meeting yesterday James F. | Lukens, chairman of the industrial \ stated that his committee f had jobs for two good men. The | general of the White army extended1 congratulations to the Red and Blue | armies on their recent successful | banquets.
 Nice-President Harold W. Gee spoke about the coming Bible class convention and asked for volunteers to entertain delegates over night.
 Among those present yesterday was
 
 who with John Morley, also present. worked on the same type Of butts worn by the men at class yesterday. at the Stanley Works in 1867. Harold E. seaburg. formerly general Of the Red army. now a law student in Brooklyn. rejoined his fellow work. CTS from the Stanley Works for the occasion. One man was present who has been with the Stanley | Works 70 years. five men who have been there s years and two men who have been there 90 years.
 More than dozen men were pre- sent who were there for 25 years, Tn his introduction before the sermon. Mir. Davis paid tribute 10 r. w l. Benham. who was present end whom Ic dshsu ID etdDH up. ltf sad lt was B pleasure 10 visit the Stanley Works. one had q legitimate errand there or simply to experience the greeting and hand shake with which Mir Benham. who meets all visitors. rreets them. He described Mr. Ben- hafn and his department as ono or the most important branches or the busi- ness, reflectinE thc welcome and good will Of the corporation.
 Visit TD stanley Works.
 In his sermon he explained that he Is not visiting local industries for ihe purpose Of investigating working or labor conditions. but simply 10 adapt Inc religious significance of the things the men are doing and what he factory is producing. to his ser- mon
 He said.
 The first tiire did iu going
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