The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-12
IAe Heart Of Harry Lauder,



A light heart and q serious mine
are not incompatible. This learned
when I met Harry Lauder. All tn,
experience of many years of friend
snip has not dulled, but rather
frightened. my first impressions. Tha
ne is no ordinary man Is readily ac
knowledged. and therefore needs M
proof from me. His position as 9
world figure and the 1nbcunded fame
which Is his Is based. however, more
on the light heart than the seriou.
mind. People have looked to Laude,
to tighten the burden of life for ar
hour or two and to give them a hap.
py memory. Without stint he ha,
ministered to this very great need ir
human life. and millions have profit.
cd by his service.
The rich resonant voice, the inim.
table laugh. the quick grotesque
movements. the simple unstrained hu.
man fun, make such q quaint and
rare combination as to give Lauder
the place which he holds without
challenge. Believe me, this is not all
the real Harry by long. long way
He IL more and better. His serious
mindedness marks him to me as a
man In a'million. I am not prepar.
cd to attempt psychological analysis;
the personality Of the man is too pro.
found for that. My intention Is mere
ly to speak Of some few incidents in
my intimate association with my
friend that will enable many of his
admirers to know him better and love
him more.
You remember how the world wept
with HIM when his only boy died up
on the field of honor and left him
childless. The Sunday after the an
nouncement 30 that tragedy hap
pened to be preaching in the r'ty
Temple. London. and Mr.. ant ..s.
Lauder were In the congregation. Az
ter the service they came into the
vestry to see me. My heart went out
to them both. but the courage of
their bearing conquered much that
was sympathetic I felt like saying.
Words OF admiration rose to my lips
instead. Harry. we are all proud
of the wonderful way you have borne
this heavy blow"
The answer came quickly. when
man has been hit as ] have been,
there are only three ways open to
despair. or God: and I
I'm looking to God for the consola-
Ion and the courage I now need"
Surely an epic utterance. Would
We could get 1t on the eramophones
u the world-it would mean much
'or mankind. You may feel that
his 10 one Of those flashes Of in
'piration that come to a man once in
! lifetime. but It is not SO: it is
simply characteristic Of the man and
bis attitude to life. Let me tell you
more.
During a visit to France. and in
with one in high COM
mand in the army. talk turned to the
high place Lauder had In the affec-
lions Of his countrymen. for we were
both Scots. A strong desire was ex-
pressed that he should be got out
among the soldiers in the battle line
Just to give them the cheer he knows
so well how to impart. I promised
to endeavor to arrange 1t. with
trepidation you may be sure. for you
know what is so often said Of Laud-
Or and his money. However. with
courage in both hands I asked him
to give up the week that meant many
thousands of dollars to go out to the
boys.
The request seemed to stagger
him. and for a minute felt I was to
fail. but 1t was the good fortune to
receive such q request that took his
breath away. "Give me weeks
notice aid go with you and glad to
Co." replied, II give you notice
now" Whereon he called to his
manager. 'Tom. quit in a week."
and ne did, and Off to the war zone
he went. My pen Is unequal to the
task Of describing that wonderful
tour and the amazing results Of 1t.
The men went wild with enthusiasm
and Joy wherever he went. One great
meeting was apparently seen by some
German airmen. who communicated