davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30

curse but Hest he eat of the fruit of the Tree of Life and live forever"
 You speak of temptation. What is temptation? Trial-yea, but to the good, opportunity. Christ was tempted, not that He might succumb, but that He might vanquish, and set an example 70 ;he world of moral heroism. Milton tells us that Adams sin was disobedience. It lay deeper. He sinned because the act was evil. God does not want obedience half as much as He wants good conduct. Some men are eager to obey everything in sight, and then like Alexander weep because there is nothing else to obey.
 Who is the good-malSer. Ton say, God. Who is the evl-maker? You say. the devil. Give the devil his due. Christ does not agree with you. He says all things evil come out of the heart of man. and I tell you that all things good come out of the heart of man. Man IS the good-maker; man is the evil-maker. but the good is not to be called good, n1r the evil evil. Even the devil is the evil one by grace. He is really the wicked one.
 God pondered and pondered. Then He said: There Is no way out of it-man must make his own good This seemed a difficult feat. Can man QO Wfldt dOu tdHIlOl. Ilt tSi- IiOT By discardng good and evil from the scheme and adopting something slgnif- cant. God had satisfied Himself that good was not salvatory, even could He make it.
 Good and bad being well out of the way God looked about for substitutes. He found human language about as well adapted to His purpose as chop sticks, but He persevered. He needed two terms that are not bilingual nor polylingual, which good and evil are; two terms that are always ethical which good and evil are not; two terms that never bubble. that never deceive Could He find them" He did. There is a beautiful line that never varies, never swerves. There is 1 beautiful virtue that easily mounts into ness-righteousness,. There is wicked line that is always crooked or zig gag. It begins with a twistur, and is ac-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30

The term is too loose, too ambiguous. lt means everything, it means nothing. Good God, good devil, good jackknife good morning, good gracious, gooG for nothing. good by Bad is of the same kidney, Protean in form, chameleon la color, charlatan in character. Were the great coripheus in language l would gladly show them both the door. Then God said: "I perceive. that though I myself am good, cannot make good. I can make man with head, heart and lungs I can give him sensibi'- ty, intelligence. these belong to the beasts that perish. He is not In My i'm age I can make cockchafers; I can make behemoths, but I cannot make good. am not the good-maker." Then Go :. looked around, but the good maker was not in sight.
 God said: Good is illusive, good ia misleading. have made a man ostensi- ply good, but 1 have added nothing to my store. I had intended to send my good man to heaven, but it were a mock cry" No merely good man will ever be sent there Christ did not go about looking good. nor being good He went about doing good. Man has 10 be some thing better than good, or he will never enter the pearly gate. What shall it be- what shall it be?
 Goodness quiescent is nought. What Is needed is dynamic, not potential, good Goodness. as a habit, is nought Habit makes thing easy and leaves them easy Whatever makes goodness easy or in- voluntary vitiates It. Mere goodness, like innocence. is indifferent. We make allow ance for innocence we apologize for in- nocence. Innocence is the prey of every prowler; goodness. of every im2ostor. He who thinks no evil, sees no evil fears m evil, prognostieates no evil, such an one has need of a guardian. He Is negative character-a cipher.
 Sorrow for sin is good; penitence is bet ter; restitution is best of all. Sorrow is often morbid, penitence is sometimes a1 fected, but restitution is honesty and re- llgion at the same time, fine combina tlon shield is good; a sword is better Christ the Prince of Peace, said: T tring
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30

sion, and no man gets kindlier fare yell from them the last day of a ses- sion than Coates.
 He is character, this Coates. and something of genius. He has invented and secured several patents for inven- tions. He found that in a single year 1888 persons had been killed or seriously in- jured by runaway horses hitched to ve- hicles. So Coates set about the inVen- tion of a brake by means of which a child can detaeh the team from the car riage in a twnkling. Then he invented and got a patent for a combined blow and harrow, that Is pronounced a valu- able labor and time saving implement. Nor is that all; he has invented and ob- tained a patent for an overshoe for horse that renders 1t impossible for the animal to fall down. though travelling on the most solid and the smoothest ice. The shoe will last for ages, and only the spikes need to be replaced. It is a posi- tive economy to supply the horse with it.
 And there is not a southern member of Congress who will not be delighted if Coates shall make a fortune as the fruit of his inventive genius.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30

refractory difficulties, it's ceaselessness. If all the religious sense or vision one has leads only to the choice of such a. task, will not the hands hang down de- sralfingly and the knees culver with ex- hGustion? And if one has so eXulted in the splendor of the goal and in the ap- plause of men, as though these were his sole inspiration, lassitude is fatal, at least fer the time. Who does not know something of the dsenchantment that filings the prophet beneath a desert shrub to pray for death?
 Perhaps much social activity is a sort of egotist's hobby: and egotism never pro- vded much as cushion for defeat or weariness. Hypocrisy is not dead, though sit may no longer sound a trumpet at the street corner, and he who has looked deep into the myteries of his own complex self easily becomes aware of mixed mo- tives, in winch egotism and ambition have only too probable a share, In proportion thereto is ones susceptibility to ennui, the feeling that after all the game is not worth the candle. l have come upon the surprise of John Morley when Gladstone one day observed in the course of conver- sation that ambition had never influenced him. The statement produced a sort of physical shock on Morley, and he almost started from his chair. But he was obliged to say at last that ambition in the sense of personal vanity and self pro- T.ulsion was certainly no part of Glad- stones character. whose enormous ac- tivfty was inspired rather by his abounu- ing vitality. idealism, power to serve, and sense of duty.
 Gladstone is an admirable example in- decd of the cohesion of personal religion with the social ideal In the light of that sublime personality one suspects at the outset that there is something cheap and vain in the electro-pyrotechnic of fleets Of Dr. Forsyth, as certainly there is in the charges of the critics against churches. because they have become so- cia refoi1ners. The social ideal is no less than the recreation of human existence
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30

on lines of that perfect society of which the church is the seed-bed and the king
 dom of Ciud the final harvest It's original
 al chetype is the family Burns has put it into words, and we shall hardly Inn prove on their sentiment Whatever stands in the way of the consummation will fall; whatever hastens it will be jus tified, until men to men the wide world
 OCT shall brothers be.
 The blight and bane of the situation
 is that brotherhood is emptied of it's
 meaning and frothy, flashy, unsat isfying sentimentality is made to do
 duty for 1t. Industriaism, commercial ism and every other principle of our
 cosmic life must be inter penetrated by | real family love. the sense of kinship, of mutual dependence, of religious feeling. But who can supply all this
 divine quality if not the spiritual man, the churchman? If this be so then
 surely good pr. Forsyths contrast be-
 tween social activity for the sake of men and religious activity for the glory of God begins to disappear. For the gospel of the ages unifies divine glory with human betterment. Whatever lifts man is therein a divine service. Re- ligion in the Christian sense Is the spir- itualizing of life, making body and mind and social fellowship, commerce, DOlt1cS ana even sIOHldCi, one ildn
 organized like those coral units in the
 Southern sea, tQ make an island in that vast welter of brine, where 'fronded palms" may wave mute witness of spir- itual victory to water and earth and
 sky.
 | am not surprised, however, to find men discovering the dangers of this point of view. The dangers may be rec ognized in double direction, the peril
 to personal and inward piety-that much abused but essential thing!-and
 the peril to the organic life of the
 church. For in proportion as one Is engaged in struggle with evil condl- tions. such as in the relief of poverty,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30

The most talked of woman in the world today is Queen Mary of Eng land.
 Whatever the merits of King George, it is the queen consort who has stirred the imagination of the world and who has caused more feminine bitterness and more feminine admira- tion than any other woman of modern history.
 Queen Mary is hated by a coterie of females who composed the inner circle of the late King Edwards court and who will circle the royal court no more.
 Mary is both good and sensible. 4 It was she who early let it be known that no woman need come to the coronation or the royal reception with face painted, eyebrows penciled, lips colored or, hair dyed.
 She won the applause of all right thinking people when she officially dis couraged and put under the ban the harem and hobble skirts and the stu pid big hats.
 Jealousy and rage broke loose.
 The smart set that was smiled on by Edward and barred by Mary, the artificial danes who spent a good part of their time In 'makeups, and the ultra fashionable have tried to get even with Queen Mary. And this is their allegation against her: She is--
 'Dowdy.' Like many sturdy Englishwomen, a great walker, she wears on her trips the typical short skirt, made of thick material, and good stout shoes with low comfortable heels. And mirabile! Think of 1t.
 She carries an umbrella.
 Her hat is of the sort that the rain will not hurt. She often dons sim pie shirt waist.
 What is perhaps the principal of fense of this English queen is her children-five stout boys and one girl whom she has never sent out to nurses and all of whom have been | trained in useful occupations. The painted penciled, dyed. laced and high heeled exauisites who flut- tered In Edwards court can never quite forgive these six children. TO them, because the Queen is the mother and companion of her chill dren, she is incomprehensible. and be- cause she cares more for home than for dress she is the dowdy queen. To the rest of the world that Is be-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30

fare of men was the inheritance Of it to be the normal necessity of church existence, and 1t will ultimately prove that the church which most of all spends itself in such service actually accomplishes most for the victory of its Lord Indeed, it is beginning to be seen that the division Of work be- tween the churches may some day pro- duce a new sort of denominationalism whose first function will be federation. and whose watchword will be eff ciency.
 But if this Is true concerning the Church. is 1t not inevitably true con- cerning each Christian Take away from a man the will to grapple with the infinite sorrow of the world. In whatever concrete instance it appears, and have you made that man spiritual by the process? The question answers itself. But approach the question from the side of the worlds need. and it Is at once apparent that the personal enthusiasm of a profoundly Christian man or woman Is the most necessary thing In every instance of breakdown, in every movement to avert breakdown. Parks. playgrounds. healthful housing, education, pure food, reasonable prices all these, and all other human inter ests, appeal to Christian statesmanship
 What I venture to assert is that tho only healing of the social sore will have to be a spiritual healing. But such spirituality as Is neded must be robust enough to handle and employ all sorts of implements. There is a mercy seat" place of spiritual equip ment. inspiration enrichment and tho social worker who neglects 1t is court ing disaster. But the personal or churchly religion that shrinks from dis. tasteful social toll or misses the en. thusiasm of humanity sadly needs Christianizing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30
Night Bathing Is in Vogue
m the Philadelphia Inouirer.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer
 Atlantic City, N. J.-Night bathing par ties have come into favor again. The other night there were several hundred dippers in the surf, who seemed to enjoy the experience as hugely as though 1t were at the conventional bathing hour.
 The intense heat of the day was too strenuous for these bathers-though some of them had taken a dip during the daylight hours-and they declared that the night bath was far more glor- ious. There was no danger of sunburn,, the water was even more delightful be- cause of the absence of the sun and there were no thousands of other bathers to in- terfere with the thorough enjoyment of the pastime. The night bathing parties include both sexes, and it is probable that the revival of the sport, whicN was so widely practced decade ago, will become d popular fad this season.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30

degree. It is this difficulty of cooper ation that has forced into existence the institutions that are at work for civic and social adjustment. Now starts the question for the churches: Can they throw themselves under the guidance and into the service of the non church. ly institutions?
 Let us suppose that the Associated Charities. for instance desires to com plete a thorough study of the housing conditions and connected affairs of any section of the city: Will the workIng forces of any church undertake to per form that task? It is apparently a del- icate, tact-demandlng affair. There is no glory in it, but much sordid expe- rience. Money Is not necessary there in: nothing indeed but intelligent. pa tient. repe1ient work. The results are to be scientifically invaluable. and socially a highway for far-reach ing benefle Is the church so really the body of Christ" as to go about doing good in this way? Or will the young peoples societies assume the burden Of one patient each in the tuberculosis hospital? Will 1t be possible to find for every wayward and semi homeless boy an elder brother who will prove one "hprn for diversity" and keep the youngster In touch with things that spell manhood? Illustrations in many fields abound. Only one thing is clear the necessity that such cooperation be made harmonious by being made wise. Is It not evident that such physical ministries are necessary for the sake of the soul of the church? When that epoch-maklng book "Ecce Homo" an peared ecclesiastical Jesus dawned on Professionalism. Professor Seeley therein contributed a phrase to contemporary religion when he de- scribed our Masters motive as "the enthusiasm of humanity" Such an en- thusiasm for the comfort healing, vel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30
HEART TO HEART TALKS-By Ed1vin A. Nye

The little dog started too. Briskly he sprang by the woman's side, Then he jumped up and licked her hand.
 For the first time that day Maggie Ryan's lips quvered and her eyes soft ened. Almost they were beautiful eyes when softened by the tears. Her heao dropped for an instant and with one hand she gave the animal a furtive caress.
 The door swung behind woman and dog On the street the canine capered ana then trotted proudly at Maggie Ryan's side. And as he lifted his brown eyes they were full of love and devotion.
 He~was only dog.
 He loved this woman from whom other women drew aside their skirts In open dis daln.
 He was only dog, and he did not un- derstand.
 How could he believe that humans would sell woman whisky and then put her in jail for drinking it-that they would punish woman sinner and let the man go free?
 How should a little dog believe such things of humans? The story that follows is not taken | from the pages of Balzac | It was printed in a reliable newspa-
 per which gives particulars concern ing the poor woman who hsures | therein.
 Mrs Mary Wiedig. widow of Mill | waukee. lost her only child little girl. Having no money with which to
 give her little one decent burial, she
 went to the poor commissioners. l This is the sequel; l woman staggered up the path in the cemetery which led to the plot of ground where her husband was bur jed, bearing the little coffin which con tained the body of her child. She took a spade, which she had put there the day before, and began to dis. God help the woman-,-she was diggi'.;s the grave of her child!
 As she worked the distracted moth CT sobbed, calling on the dead mal under the sod to help her bear her sorrow until shc could come to him A man heard the cries of Mrs. Vie dig and went to the spot where the frail mother bent to her awful task. She explained' why she was digging the grave. She had no money to pay the sexton. She said
 They would have buried her for me for nothing if l had let them put
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30

a sword. I am here to set the world by the ears. I am here to set father against son, husband against wife, brother against sister" The fight between Chris tian and Apollyon must go on. Bring it to close. good ceases.
 Somebody has foolishly called life race. Tt is more than race; it is struggle. Yea, more than a struggle-it is conflict Yea. more than a con fict. Tt is war-a war in the preS ence of temptation, war in the presence of evil. Goodness can be conveyed by heredity; it can be impressed by envi- ronment. We can admire good, emulate good, simulate good. Nature, example can confer it. but the good good-the good that God was In search Of for mans necessity, must be earned must DC achieved. must be won.
 Good, such as this, does not lie around in chunks; it cannot be gathered up from the ground like mama. It is not found, like ambergris, in the whale, nor like pearl, in the oyster. It is the eidelweis that grows on the brow Of precipice, the spherule of gold in a red-hot crucible. the spark that leaps from clashing swords. It must be snatched from the jaws of temptation or the fangs of evil, for it is not good. Should you take good to St. Peter, he would likely dump it cn his garbage heap. The woman who gave her only mite was greater than Croesus. The woman who poured the vial of spike nard on the Masters feet was richer than Danae. To sum it up evil resisted be- comes virtue, motion resisted becomes heat Evil resisted becomes manhood. No obedience except in the presence of law, no self-denial except in the presence of temptation no good except in despite of evil.
 But you say, God put good and evil be- fore man. He did not. He only put cor relatives, only put alternatives. These alternatives were as innocent as the apple that Adam munched an apple that did not grow on the trees of evil, but on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and in eating of it he became as the gods, Knowing good and evil" He was hur- ried out of Paradise, not as a part of tho
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30

or in the study of social hygiene, or in the helping of household economies in families that are in danger of drown ing in the aforementioned welter of the brine-in just that proportion Is not his attention distracted from the care of his own soul? Is not the emphasis of life then becoming rather secular than spiritual? Emphasis on external conditions tends to spiritual profanity and neglect.
 Similarly there Is peril to the church in developing up1ift movements, wei fare movements, taking forces from the ordinary channels of churchly energy to go to school in a civic club. Is it not as though we were in danger of substituting temporal welfare for spir- itual? And will not the insistent soul of mankind turn away from these phys ical benefits to seek the bread that en- dureth unto everlasting life?
 When Leigh Hunts Abon Ben Adhem may his tribe increase lis ecclesias- tically tested he proves anything but an orthodox gentleman; very Arab indeedi Dr. Forsyth would not have been content with his confession;
 Write me as one who loves his fol- lowmen;'
 And perhaps the theological nice ties are outraged by the fact that in the list of the noble Ben Adhems name led all the rest" In the same way Longfellow's Vision Beautiful smacks of heresy. Why did the monk at prayer run risks. nay run into the certainty, of losing his fellowship with Christ if he stayed there on his knees? What if the poor were waiting hungry at the door of the refectory? Was 1t not more necessary to have prayer ana spiritual rapture and the heavenly at mosphere than to dispense food and medicine?
 When it comes to a vote I shall vote for the poets view, and ] think so also will the majority of religious men.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30

There comes to mind a saying quite germane to this discussion. a saying of the very highest authority: These things ye should have done and not have left the others undone" It is a lamentable fact that the physical min
 istries and social ministries of the church have been slipping more and more into dsuse and neglect I speak, of course, from the Protestant point of view. For example, instead of the old poor relief provided for in the funds collected at the communion table, instead of the visitation of the sick by the members of theg church. there have arisen the enormous friendly activities of the trades unions and, above all, of the lodges and orders whose cooper ative beneficence Is beyond all praise, chiefly because it does not incur paul perism. Some churches are doing almost nothing in these directions, and a good deal of what is done lacks thorough ness self-respect and intelligence.
 This change is disastrous at a time when, though the average of prosperity is high, the suffering of the submerged is all the more acute. It Is as disas trous for the church as for the poor. When, in addition to those institutions. is reck oned organized charity work. asking that indiscriminate giving be stopped, it is almost as though this time -honored function of the church had been perma anently discredted. out lived, rendered nearly an impertinence. What then Is the fact? It is evident to those of us who are studying present social movements that the region for definite church activity was never sol great, never imperiously demanding 2 to be occupied. But 1t is a cooper ative, interdenominatlonal truly Cath ollie -h earted work that now need to be done: and in the extreme denomina- tional isolation of the churches this CO., operation proves difficult to the lastl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30

nearly ready to agree with my fine old friend Heyburn was born in 1852 Is it rot possible, it is not likely, that God intended to fetch him into the world ten years earlier, so that he could get killed in battle for the flag but forgot and so put a great hard ship upon him?
 Thus it would appear that the Hon. Heyburn is a bundle of the super-l loysl posthumous, if that term fits, and on'y fulfilling something in the nature of a destiny. l must see John Sharp about this and strive with him not to smite the Hon. Hepburn again. The man simply can't help it.
 But John Sharp will have rendered an immense service to his people if his successful effort in behalf of the faith ful old servant of Jefferson Davis shall serve to awaken at the south the reso- lution to build a monument to the old Black Mamma. It is shameful that we have neglected this pious work so long. Thousands and thousands of men and women who remember. the old south and were a part of H, stand ready and are eager to contribute to this holy