The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-15
BIBLE TEACHES
 REGARD FOR LAW, SAYS STURDIVANT
Is Greatest Book Ever Written, Pastor Asserts
 In Sermon

 have upheld the weak, counseled the doubtful, and comforted the sorrowful and that the Bible is the greatest book ever written by the hand of man under the inspiration of a divine mind, Dr. J. F. Sturdivant at the Avondale Methodist church Sunday morning de- livered an interesting sermon from the single sentence, Search the Scrip tures."
 Dr. Sturdivant stated that his sub- ject was Good Literature" and that he chose that theme in response to the request of the general board of the Methodist Episcopal church, south.
 The speaker included others than the books of the Bible in his catalog of good literature, saying newspapers, se- cular and religions all contain good literature.
 The large congregation present was encouraged to search not only the scrip lures, but also asked to read church papers, the daily papers and all good books of the day.
 Dr. Sturdivant spoke on the import tance of newspaper editorials, saying that the public looked to the editors to make clear the right relations be- tween questions of the day as they effect the city, the state and the na- tion.
 Last Service
 Sunday night Dr. Sturdivant preach ed his last sermon in the old .Avondale Methodist church near Forty-second street. Next Sunday morning he will preach his first sermon in the new S15O, ,OOO church on Fortieth street and Fifth avenue, Avondale, south. It was announced by officers of the church, that all payments on the handsome new building have been met promptly, and that the congregation will enter their new building with no mortgage hang ing over it. It was stated that only the new Sunday school annex to the Fortieth street church has been com pleted, and that the annex will be used for services for some time. Last nights service being the final one in the church that has housed the congre- gation for so many years naturally proved to be very moving and lnsplr- ing one. The sermon was based on the text: "Whle I was busy here and there he was gone." The minister i'm pressed the importance of personal work in religious effort, warning the con- gregation against delays in speaking to associates concerning the welfare of their souls.
 Morning Sermon
 In his morning sermon on Good Literature" Dr. Sturdivant said in part: Our reading effects our thought as we think we act, therefore 1t is of infinite importance that we read what ever will make us think better thoughts.
 Search the scriptures we are told. Christ is the author of the command. He had reference to the old Bible, but today, we are commanded to read the New Testament as we'll as the Old f Testament. Permit me to say to you that the Bible is the best book in the world. You all agree to that. There is no other book we can put down beside it. It stands alone. It has done more for the world than any other book. It has proved great inspiration. 1t has cOunseled the doubtful, and its teach ings have upheld the weak. We speak of men doing great good; but It IS the message they bring from the Bible that uplift the race No country where the Bible is not honored and read has ever become a great country. The Bible ought to be in every hand and read by everybody. It teaches duty to all, it is for the poor and the wealthy, for the mother and the child, for the husband and the wife, for the master and the servant and for the employer and the employe. It is never failing source of wisdom and inspira- tion."
 The speaker said it would be as ridiculous to compare the Bible to other books, just as 1t would be to com pare Christ to mere men.
 Urged To Read
 The speaker urged his congregation to be constant readers of church pub lications, adding that just as business men read their trade journals, church members should read their church papers. The newspapers were referred to as necessary for all who desire to keep informed on the questions of the day, with q view of making good citizens.
 It was declared that unless good literature is read and appreciated, there is no such thing as an able self-reElant and upright community. The speaker declared that always he Is fearful lest bad books get into our public llbrarles' Illustrations were given of good books having helped make people great ana of bad books having helped make crlm- inals.