The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12

we'll as the other applications of things | spiritual. Dr. Bakers sermon in part is as follows: aa--.--.-
 The custom of having standards around which people might rally is as old as written history. This was true of the Babylonians, Chaldeans, Egyptians ana the old Hebrews. In the Jewish econ- omy every scribe had a specific stand- ard under which the members grouped themselves in times of peace as well as war. AllusionS to banners and ensigns are frequent in the Bible, and the post of standard bearer is spoken of as one of honor.
 The first European flag unfurled for our American winds to kiss was un- folded by Columbus when he landed upon Salvador. It was the royal standard ot Spain, emblazoned with the arms Of Castile and Leon When the Cabots came to the North American shore they brought with them the flag of Henry VII Of England, a red cross, or the cross of St. George, on a white field. This was the English standard until James I united it with the cross of St. Andrew, which gave us the union jack. The flag of the Mayflower was the sim pie cross of St. George. The first flag carried in our land wherein was en,- blazoned the principles that constitute American rights, was borne in a process sion at Portsmouth, N. H., in 1776, having on it these words: Liberty, prosperity and no stamps. At nearly the same time the citizens of New York put up lib- erty pole with a flag inscribed The King, Pitt and Liberty, as the inward troubles of the country were ripening into the revolutionary war, the flags va ried largely as did the parties involved. Some were blue, red, white, and had diff ferent inscriptions Not a few had the U-f,, An A al tn l,o flag used at the battle of Bunker Hill carried on it the inscription, Come if you dare The first flag unfolded in the south at the beginning of the revolution was blue, with the motto, Liberty Or Death The flag is the symbol of soV ereignty
 FLAG FOR COLONIES
 As the country was now involved in war, that there might be a uniform flag for the colonies, Congress in 1777 resolved That the flag of the l3 United States be 13 stripes, alternate with red and white that the union be 13 stars. white in a blue field representing a new constella- tion, and this was the flag of the coun. try until a new state entered the union when a new star and stripe was added The rapidity in which the new state. sought for admission gave undue size to the flag when before-in lS1S--Indiana was admitted. Congress decreed that instead of adding to the bars, as formerly fol the admission of a state, they should gC back and use the original 13 and on the admission of a new state only a sta, should be added to indicate the growth of the nation.
 The history of the flag has not beer
 traced for glory, but that as we wav' aloft it's virgin colors, we may chaleng' ] the world to duplicate it's harmonious
 tints with its excellency of design. Al | it flaps in the breeze we may refut' | forever that calumny of old. it's a mere rag, a painted rag, and the blending o 1 it's resplendent hues with bar and sta was purely accidental. Nothing of tht | kind; rather, as all men gaze upon it. | open folds. they may see the symbols O
 what is pure, noble. just and holy
 | Our national standard is the most sug | gestive object lesson of things human