The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-11
CONFEDERATED CHOIRS
 HOLD ANNUAL MEETING
BY ANNIE KEN DRIck WALKER.

The Confederated choirs of America, which are represented at the reunion by their general commander-in-chief, Mrs. J.. Griff Edwards of Portsmouth. Va, the other officers of the organization, to- gether with a large and attractive dele Eation of pretty girls from Virginia, Ten nessee and Arkansas held a business meeting in the assembly hall of the Bir- nhngham assembly yesterday morning.
 The meeting was presided over by the distinguished Congederate general, Will liam H. Stewart of Portsmouth, originator and general counsel of the United Con- federate Choirs of America, who made one of the most stirring addresses of the reunion.
 The business session was enlivened by the singing of southern melodies that brought the audience to it's feet. The new words to the old air of Dixie as colp- posed by the Rev. Dr. M B. Wharton, and adopted by the Confederate choirs, was sung with wonderful spirit by Mrs. Edwards, the choir joining in the chorus, while the audience stood
 There were several interesting ad- dresses, the annual address of the com . .,lander-in-chief and the officers and an interesting talk by Miss Mott of St. Louls who has organized Confederate choir in that city. q
 This organization is unique among American societies. Its birth was in Portsmouth, where General Stewart or ganized the first Confederate choir to sing at the Portsmouth camp. The pur- pose of the united organization is to pre- serve the songs of the south, the melo- dies that led the army on in victory an1 cheered them in defeat.
 The organization gives it's own enter tanments to defray its expenses to the annual reunions and the pleasure that the choirs give to the veterans and thou sand of visitors has made the organiza- tion famous throughout the southern states.
 General Stewards Address.
 The address of Colonel Stewart, past grand commander of the Grand Camp, United Confederate Veterans of Virginia, originator and general counsel of the United Confederate Choirs of America, at the opening of the second annual session held yesterday, was as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen of the United Con- federate Choirs of America:
 I am rejoiced to greet this national or ganization on this, it's first birthday.
 70, be joyful in the Lord all ye lands, Serve the Lord with gladness and come before His presence with song.'
 Music brings joy and softness-sym- Lathy and pathos-surcease of sorrow. Song sweeps us to realms of gladness, and 1t softens the iron of bitter heart like sparkling flames melt metal into life like images of famous heroes.
 I saw great gathering of Confederate Veterans in the splendid auditorium of the Jamestown exposition and there were people of all nations to greet them. l heard our song queen-Mrs. J. Grin Ed wards-sng Dixie" and the whole audi ence arose, waved flags and banners, yelled and clapped, laughed and wept for joy as her sweet notes sounded through the spacious hall
 It was a great soul feast for the sol diers in gray!
 ~@ Dixie land before the world, because they thrilled the spirit of liberty with glad ness, charity and peace.
 believe God has sent us these talented children to bless us and cheer our hearts as we descend the hill towards the set ting sun. The splendor of the morning in their young souls throws golden rays on the twilight of ages
 Wonderful is the power of song!
 Truly 1t may be said to be the speech of angels!
 In happiness or in distress it is a de- lightful messenger of peace
 It was once the salvation of Antioch beautiful Antioch, the ancient city of magnificent palaces and majestic tenn ples, where the dome of the shrine of great Jupiter was gllded with gold-An- t,och, the Syrian capital where the dis ciples were first called Christians!
 When its high spirited people, chafing under imperial tyranny, pulled down the effiges of the Emperor and Empress in the public square. it provoked the terrible wrath of their ruler.
 Their fate seemed sealed for his wicked and fearful revenge, when good bishop, trembling for the doom of his flock, con- ceived the idea of making an appeal for mercy through music, hoping to appease The anger oe his master for the insult upon his crown and dignity.
 It was the habit of the Emperor to have a chorus of boys to sing for him while dining The good priest secured charge of them and taught them to sing in most pathetic strains of the woes of Antioch, how the people felt sorrowful for their transgressions, and how deeply they regretted having fallen under the displeasure of their ruler
 The effect of their music was entran- cling!
 The imperial ruler listened with rapt attention until under its fascination he watered the cup of wine which he held in his hand with his warm tears, and forgetting his anger, exclaimed aloud, "The city of Antioch Is forglven!'
 Here music won what a mighty army with banners could not have done!
 Ayei May not our Confederate choirs be more powerful than the boys of An tioch by moving the survivors of the Confederate armies to make their peace with the God of Jacob, our God: and when the end comes be waited on the wings of faith to the golden streets of the city of life.
 In a dream I heard the last trumpet sound-I saw great volumes of fire rush out of the craters in the broken earth over beyond the danger line of the red tonguse of flame, in the azure and golden clouds, I saw a lifeboat floating off anl upward towards heaven.
 It was full of old Confederate soldiers