Birmingham age-herald., 1894-09-06

noted in this column If sent to Mrs. George 0. Ball, 21s1 Highland avenue.l
 One of the questions of the hour, which has excited the metropolitan press to a marvellous degree, is brought about be- cause of an article written by Col. R. G. lngersoil. Columns in some of the great est American dailies ara given over to cor respondents, who answer variously "Is Suicide SiD?'' To us who are removed from much of the turmoil, excitement and distress of great metropolis, as we are also from it's excesees, wealth and extravagauce, all this agitation seems very unnecessary. Still the agitation exists, and since it be- gan suicides are said to have increased to an alarming extent. Fortunately, we are rarely called upon to chronicle self-murder with us. Such an act has no excuse, no palliation, unless it be the result of mental Arrangement, which is very frequently the case. Otherwise it is the deed of moral coward, who generally leaves helpless wife and children to fight against odds that he had not the strength or courage to meet. There are some of our churches which have declared it a sin that deprives the sinner of the offices of the church in burial. An attempt at suicide is punisha- ble in the courts of the country. Every thing has been done to discourage this crime, and it is an awful pity that man possessing the mental power of Colonel lngersoii should have aroused so much in- terest in this question when he throws the weight Of his talents on the side of the sui- eide. Crime of all kinds, disaster of every form, seem to go over country in waves, and tue patriot is the man who, by exam ble and precept, assists in bringing the people back to their proper moorings and not doing his utmost to lash these waves into a fury, which can only be calmed by the divine command, "Peace be still.'
 Rev. MT. Fiizsimons, in fine sermon on Sunday, cited the beautiful example of Job in contrast to this awful doctrine of Colonel lngersoll, and it was one of hls finest efforts. MT. Fitzsimons selected as his text ''Do thyself no harm," and he drew strong lessons from the iDjunc- tion.
 horrible than the use made by Colonel h. gersoll of the genius given him by his Creator. He is one of the most brilliant men of our day-a man of marvellous intel- lect and irresistible eloquence. He has had blessings without number showersd upon him by generous Providence, and vet with these very gifts he stands up be. fore the world and with impious pen and tongue defies his Creator and His laws. With almost supernatural endowme nts, t4e good of humanity, for the elevation of his people? Absolutely nothing. He has unsettled the minds of the vascillatipg, he has sown the seeds of disbelief broadcast over christendom, he has taken from many hearts the faith of their fathers, and when anj agony they cry aloud, when impotent with sin and suffering. what has he to offer in lieu of Gods promisesf Nothing but stones, and now he dares advise that these stones be tied about our necks and that we cast ourselves into the sen of death, hopeless and wretched without ray of light from the other shore, with not a whisper of love to break the terrible silence as we sink beneath the waters. Colonel Inger- soll's teachings and that of other yuen of like minds can never bring anything but sorrow to our race. They take from us all the hope and faith of life, and what do they give in return? Nothing, worse than nothing. Far better is the mind of little child, with its simple faith, than the genius of an Ingersoll with it's hopeless despair. Through all the years of many centuries has come that triumphant cry of Job, ''I know that my Redeemer liveth," and through the coming ages it shali con- the end, when "God shall put all enemies under His feet" and the ''iast enemy is death. ''
 The concert at the South Highland Pres- byterian church will be given this evening. splendid programme has been prepared and many of our best musicians will take part, among them Misses Lucille Smith, Ethel Houston and Camilla Herndon, and Messrs. Chalifoux, Black and Fran cis. Besides these chorus of twelve male voices will render several fine selections. The price of admission is only 25 cents, so there will certainly be large audience present..
 Mrs. Florence Jordan has rented her. home, corner of Fifth avenue and Twen- tieth street, to Dr. and Mrs. Dozier. Mrs. Jordan, Miss ordan and Master Mortimer will divide the winter between Birming- ham and Kentucky. Mrs. Jordan will spend a portion of the time with her daugh- ter, Mrs. James Hillman, in Kentucky, and when in Birmingham will probably board at the Florence hotel. Miss Mollie Jordan goes in a few days to Wards semi- turns to New York to continue his medical studies.
 Miss Addie Evans left yesterday to enter the Agnes Scott institute at Decatur, Ga. and Miss Rosa Sloss went to Nashville yes- terday to begin her studies at Ward s semi. nary. MT. Lundie Sloss said good bye to his friends, and has gone to Poughkeep. sic. N. Y., while Mir. Baxter Sloss goes to the Vanderbilt university at Nashville. Mrs. M. L. Sloss will spend a portion of theI winter in Mississippi and a part in Nashville. We shall certainly sadly miss all these good neighbors and friends. 5IyNi iany friends of Mrs. w. H. Worthing- tonlhave received the following inyitati 3n, which promises very charming afternoon to them all:
 t'tMrs. William H. Warrington, at home, Thursday, September 6, 3:30 to 5:30. "R. s. V.-P. Whist" The ladies of the First Methodist church have induced Rev. Dr. Morris to deliver a lecture on his recent European tour about the list of October. Dr. Morris will tell in avefy delightful way of all that he saw and enjdy ed during his stay abroad.