The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-23
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

Woman-the first at the cross and the last ct the grave. Some one has said that as God could not be every where He made mothers. *%s
 I'm not going to start a theological discussion on the nature and attributes of God.
 l only want to talk about the great loving heart of God as we see it in the hearts of mothers. Do you know what took timid wom- en out of the privacy of their homes and made them walk through the streets of Birmingham? It was mother love.
 Do you know what caused women of ease and culture to forego the pleas ures of society to parade our thor Ioughfares? It was mother love.
 Do you know what appealed to frail and dainty women, unused to walking, to brave rain and sun to march for blocks? It was mother love.
 
 But you say all those in line were not mothers. Very true, but every mothers one of them was fired to be in it on account of the maternal in- stinct that gripped her heart.
 
 It was the greatest parade ever ,,lI ofP I~ revelation to all. It showed as nothing else has shown that the great heart of the city is beginning to ache at the thought of it's sons who are to die on the fields of France.
 I stood at the foot of the Confed- |erate monument in Capitol park as the Stars and Stripes foated from the great flagstaff. I looked toward the hills and it seemed as if the streets had been suddenly filled with white winged angels, who were marching in unison to heavenly music, singing hal lelujahs.
 As they came closer I saw happy faced girls In their teens, young maidens in the first flush of womanhood middle aged women with Madonna-lke halos. and saint-like women with silvery hair.
 It was Birmingham's best. and what a sheaf of noble hearted womanhood was flooding the streets with the gold gar nered out of every home.
 I saw working girls, I saw young women used to every luxury, I saw the cream of the clubs I saw the pick of the churches, I saw the social workers. Best of all, saw them fuse in the melting pot of sacrificial love.
 The social barriers were down. They were just sisters all ready to serve along side of one another. This one fact made the parade worth while.
 Tired? Yes, but oh, so happy. I saw a bunch of society leaders make break for a hydrant in the park and they seemed as happy in auaffing the water as a lot of schoolboys after a game of ball. I sat on the platform and looked into their upturned faces as the speakers, with the magic of their words and the mighty impulse of great hour, made them smile or weep at will.
 War is hell, but somehow it seems to have the power to bring a bit of heaven on earth. No one who was present at Capitol park but that felt they were trod- ding on sacred ground.
 The Bible tells us God is love. Love is transforming thing. I like to talk and hear about the great mother heart of God I came away from the exercises at the park feeling that the hearts of the women had been opened and filled with the divine presence, and that love was truly the greatest thing in the world.
 Love of country calls to the manhood of America. Love of sons calls to every mothers heart Love calls to, love- If you can't go, help send woman with mothers heart to care for the boys in France