The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-10-22
CHARLES N. ALEXANDER
Percentage and Early Life ofthe Great
est Gospel Singer "A Mountain
RoV

AfIOm lOIftF ana AleAdnueI'l
Like a modern version of the Acts
Of the Apostles runs the life story
of Charles McCallon Alexander, the
famous Gospel singer and conductor
1t Is a veritable romance. a stirring
and inspiring narrative OF answered
prayer. Every great event of my
life has come to pass in answer to
prayer. declares Mr.. Alexander, aud
this is the keynote OF his remarkable
career.
1t was less than thirty-eight years
ago that Mr.. Alexander was born in
a log cabin among the hills OF Tenn
essee in America. His parents were
poor but God-fearing with strong
musical talents. But little did they
dream. as the lad Charles drove the
cows homo in the waning twilight.
singing Gospel hymns as he plodded
them onward, that he would one day
become the most famous Gospel sing
er and leader in the world.
Tho he was born in a humble home
yet 1t was delightfully."- situated among
the hills Of Tennessee. Many of
his boyhood days were spent I'm adj
venturous ramblings thru forest aud
glen, over Hill and dale. picking ber-
ries, exploring the brooks and streams
and lying on HIS back watching the
fleecy clouds and dreaming OF the fu-
ture. The famous singer loves to re-
recall the memories Of those early
years. and Of his dearly beloved and
honored parents. Speaking OF the re-
lgious influences with which he was
surrounded he said:
MY father was an elder in the
Presbyterian church, and a leader in
good works. My mother was a con-
secrated woman. full Of deep piety,
with a strong practical strain. The
only papers we took were religious
ones. and at night time we would all
gather round tho fireside and mother
would read aloud from them. Also,
on stormy and rainy days mother
would read aloud to us children. She
loved most to read sermons.
The earliest books he (Alexander)
read outside the Bible were a
Life of Lincoln" and a Guide for
Young Disciples" by Pike. His first
music lessons were earned by milk
ing the family COW and daily deliver
ing the milk to a lady, who gave him
the lessons in return
Speaking OF his start for college MI
Alexander says:
81 well remember the day, when
as a youth. started out from my
country home for the university. j
had not gone far when good old Dea-
con Hudgins came along with his
wagon and took me up with my box
and carried me twelve miles over
the hills to the university town. IL
was a beautiful balmy day as we drove
along, each of us lost in thought. At
last Deacon Hudgins gave utterance
to the following words OF advice MY
boy, you are going to place where II
win be easy for you to find bad COM
panions. You win not have the in
fluence of your quiet Christian home
and a good mother to keep you
straight. DO not disgrace the pro-
fessicn you have made In our country
church. but be true to your church
membership"
When esked about his first ex-
perience as a musical conductor Mr..
Alexander said: 81 began my career
as a conductor of singing while
teaching a country school when about
seventeen years of age. / developed
In music rapidly, studied at musical
college for a few months, and was
then appointed Director of Music in
the university which l had formerly
attended.
while I was teaching had tele-
gram from my mother saying that m,
father was not expected to live, and
hurried TO my home which was