The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-05
HARRY LAUDER
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 the darkness of passing night. You are lighting an avenue of lights that win make 1t safe for the generations of a- time. Therefore, you must be earnest to do the right Fight well and hard against every enemy without and within, ana those of your blood who come after | you will look up proudly in that light of freedom and say, The sire that went before me lit a lamp in those heroic 1 days when Britain warred for right. The first burst of illumination that the world had was in the lamp lit by Jesus, or rather He was the Light Him. self He said truly, T am the Light of l the World You are in His succession. Be careful how you bear yourselves. Quit ye like men! Be strong!'
 l One day during our visit to France was taking Harry to see the grave of his only child, Captain John Lauder of the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, las fine lad as ever wore a kilt, and as good and brave a son as ever a father 1 loved. As we were motoring swiftly | along we lurHeQ flHlO lle loWll oA AT l bert and the first sharp glance at the | cathedral showed the falling Madonna and child. It is a startling and arrest l ing sight, and we got out to have 1 good look. The building is crowned by a statue of Mary holding out the child Jesus to the world; German shell had struck its base and it fell over, not to the ground, however but at an acute angle out over the street.
 While we fingered bunch of soldiers came marching through, dusty and tired Lauder asked the officer to halt his men for rest and he would sing to them. I could see that they were loath to believe it was the real Lauder until he began to sing. It was strange send off on the way that led to a grave-the grave of a fathers rondest hopes-but so it was. A little way up the Ba- paume road the car stopped and we clambered the embankment and away over the shell torn field of Courcelette. Here and there we passd a little cross which marked the grave of some un-
 
 "A British Soldier"
 He spoke in low voice of the hope hungry hearts behind all those at home. Now we climbed a little ridge and here cemetery and in the first row facing the battlefield the cross on Lauder's boys resting place. The father leaned over the grave to read what was written there. He knelt down, indeed, he lay upon the grave and clutched 1t the while his body shook with the grief he felt. When the storm had spent itself he rose and prayed: 70 God that I could have but one request. It would be that might embrace my laddie just this once and thank him for what he has done for his country and humanity"
 On the way down the hill I suggested gently that the stress of such an hour But Lauder's heart is pig and British. Turning to me with flashing eye he J said, George, I must DC brave; my boy is watching and all the other boys are waiting. I will sing to, them this after noon though my heart brealz. Off we went again to another division of Scot tish troops There within the hour he sang again the sweet old songs of love and home and country, bringing all very near and helping the men to realize the {, deeper what victory for the enemy would mean. Grim and determined men they were that went back to their dug outs and trenches, heartened for the l task of war for human freedom by Harry Lauder. Harry's little kilted fig I ure came and went from the war zone, but his influence remains the influence of heroic heart
 Lord, what human interest story. How my love goes out to the brave man who sings to cheer others while his own heart is breaking. Here Is to l you. Harry Lauder may the God of Is- rael draw very nigh unto thee and com fort thee is my prayer.
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