The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-29
SOLDIERS HONOR
 DEAD COMRADES
Jefferson Volunteers Hold An-
 nuaI Services at Oak Hill
.OR. HANDLtY THE ORATOR
The Speaker ;mpresses Upon the Minds of the Guardsmen the Value of Good Character
 and virtuous Living.

nuai memorial services over the graves of their dead yesterday afternoon in Oak Hill cemetery
 The weather was ideal and several hun dred people were present at the cemetery to observe the solemn rites The Rev. pr. L. S. Handley was orator of the oc- casion and delivered an address that was both feeling and impressive.
 The members of the company. sixty strong, met at the armory yesterday af- 1 ternoon at o'clock and under the com mand of First Lieut. Robert L. Gregory marched to Oak Hill.
 The services were opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr. John R. Turner. After the prayer Dr. Turner introduced Dr. Handley, who after reading the s9th Psalm, delivered the memorial address 1 He said:
 Fellow Soldiers: It is a beautiful GUS tom you have established of coming out to the "city of the dead once year to do honor to the memory of your fellow comrades
 This act of yours tells up that you do
 
 l of your friends shall rot with their bodies. They were noble fellows, every one, and deserve the honor you pay to their sleep ing dust.
 i But this memorial service can do them no good. They have made their record and 1t cannot be changed Then let me | address the few thoughts I have to the living.
 Building Character.
 First, this service should emphasize upon our minds and hearts the great | truth of our mortality.
 Man, thou art born to die. Soon the places that know us now. will know us no more" and what effect should this great truth have upon me and upon you. This, that we earnestly utilize our op- portunities to build character for our selves, that will live and be honored while we live and be cherished when we are gone. The wise man uttered this word to influence the young men of his day. A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold" and that is just as true now as it was in Solomon's day. l young man can build for himself is good name, which is synonymous with good character.
 If you purposed to build home that would resist the disintegrating influences of time, you would dig deep and lay the foundation deep and strong and then put into the superstructure only the best material.
 Solemn Reminder.
 So if you would build a character that will live and merit the honor of men, you must build on solid, noble principles, and build with those gracees and virtues that make great and good characters.
 My friends, truth, righteousness, integ- rity and virtue are the kind of material we should build into our characters It Is said an ambassador visited the queen of England and said to her: My lord, the king, presents you his compliments and asks that you tell him the secret Of the greatness of your country The queen procured Bible and had the name of the king printed in 1t in golden letters and said: Present this to your lord and king with my compliments and say to him this Is the secret of my countrys greatness
 My friends Bible principles and Bible virtues and graces make men and women great in character, and such men make a nation great.
 "As a man thinketh in his heart; so is he" and this book inspires men with l Q alike to God and man.
 A noble purpose will give shape to worthy acts, and acts or deed are the things that distinguish life-a man with high and honest motives will be found ever fostering and maintaining the | purest interests of home and country. | Stand,.i young men, for the honor of your country, for the purity of your home and for the integrity of your own good name. To maintain a good character, you must be watchful. There are those who would despoil you of your good name, who would rob you of your good char acter.
 A great writer has said: "He that steals my purse. steals trash, but he that flches me of my good name. steals that that doth not him enrich, but makes me poor 1 irdeed.'
 I believe, fellow soldiers, you would be true to the honor of your countrys flag should you be called to defend it. O, be true to your own highest interest and protect your name and character.
 Comrades. let me exhort you to take 1 God as your Father, and Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Teacher.
 Take His word as your guide and Ills will as your law, and His appreciation as your higest aim.'' and you will make a name that will be blessing while you live and will be honored when you are gone.
 When was with you at your first memorial service, years ago, there was only one here, and now there are five. My friends, as the years go by others will fall-there will be fresh mounds, etc. But live nobly, live bravely and virtuous- ly and your memory will be honored by those who shall survive you: and "To live in the hearts of those we love
 Is not to die.'
 After Dr. Handley's eloquent address the company was divided into five squads and a salute was fired over the graves of each of the five dead volun- teers.
 As the last volley was fired over the grave of Sergeant Phil Finch. the two buglers of the company stepped forward services.