New Britain herald., 1924-02-18
Everyman's Bible Class Breaks All
 Records for Male Gatherings in City
Nearly 2OOO Men Attend Service in Theater-Mayor Presents Flowers to Rev. John L. Davis
 Gain Nearly 800 Over Barthoow Class

Men should stick to the faith in which they arc brought up but should be open and liberal minded on religious subjects, visiting in other churches at times. because after all there is only one God and one church and all Christians are aiming for the same place." said Mayor A. NJ. Pao- neSsa to the largest gathering of men New Britain has ever had when 1,74s members of Everyman's Bible class crowded the Capitol theater beyond its seating capacity yesterday on All New Britain Sunday to help the class in this city defeat the large class in Mount Vernon, N. Y.. in the attendance contest for the Leland cup.
 Although there has been discov- cred 0 slight discrepancy in figures, between the two classes. New Britain yesterday, by gaining a clear 99S ma iority over it's competing class in New York. has taken the lead and 90 far outstripped the other class that even q full attendance of the L. 900 asked for in Mount Vernon next Sunday, deducting reasonable at tendance here. will keep the local class in the lead at the end Of the contest. To make sure of this Presi- dent Arthur H. Parker has asked for i.50o men next Sunday. although if Mount Vernon gets l,2O0 and New Britain only 800 the local class is sure to win. New Britain shows an aver age attendance for the past three Sundays of more than 1.e26 per Sum day.
 The meeting yesterday was held in the Capitol theater by courtesy Of John J. Contaras, proprietor. Al though it opened at 2 o'clock. a half hour before the usual time, fully 20 minutes before that that not even standing room was available down stairs and boxes and balcony were filling up. By tic time the meeting opened men were standing all over the house. oven back Of the curtain on the stage. The total attendance here was t.74S whil in Mount Vernon i. was only 75o.
 Music was furnished by a i2-piocc orchestra in charge Of Oliver J. Nich- oils. B. F, Armstrong led the sing ing. During the course of his ad- d-s,ss Mayor Paonessu who made the cprring speech presented Rev John L. llayis with q basket Of flowers - hehal, Of the class.
 The opening prayer wus made by E,A. Dr. George W. C. Hill. Other visiting clergy were seen in the audi rrta or sent regrets.
 There were large numbers Of ,isi- tors present including loo men from he l.aymen's Association Of Bristol. dels gatioG from fvoryman's Bible class of Bridgeport. and from Hart ford. Cromwell, PlaiHNilic. Stdm orI Woodstock. Wailingford. seymour, MttiGcn. New Haven, Southington and Waterbury. Cam; Halifax, Nora Scotia; Providence and Straiford, k. l.; several towns in Vermont Portland and Ecrncbnc. Maine; New Bedford and Ayor. Mass; philHdel- phia Pa: Eaitimorc, Mda and Cher psrc. Iowa.
 Elliott NJ. Prrble. first secretary of tbe class. now connected with the Hartford Y. N. C. A. WAS among those present as wcro several officers or the local Salvation Army in uni- fofm.
 NnNi Sunday. inc last Sunday in the ro't t,st Rev. \. F, Taylor. formerly soig leader for the class and pastor rf tb, Peoples church. now prcach- iga- to crowded church every sunday ,e,iing in Greensburg Pa. Will be