The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-11-04
WORD OF CHEERFOR EPIDEMIC VICTIMS
 BY DR. EDMONDS
Service Flag Presented by Mrs. Prowell at Morning Service-Capt. Dwight
 s. Bayley on Visit

And we know to them that love God all things work together for good" was the theme of the sermon of pr. H. M Edmonds, of the Independent Presby- terlan church yesterday morning when he spoke to large congregation. Speaking with particular reference to the countrywide epidemic recently rag ing and it's terrible effect. he preac ued sermon full of optimism and cheer, pointing out the different experiences or life that had their especial bearing upon the character and life of men and wom- en; how not this disaster, or that sor- row, was as pursuing fate, but in real ity each had in it something which would better and broaden the making for bet ter understanding, enlarged sympathies have bearing of sorrow and grief, mak- ing more sturdy character by these seem ingly overwhelming~griefs We cannot understand how or why now-vit may be years before we can see- it may not be in this life at all. but we will one day see it all clearly; yet a different perspective and then we will see and understand.
 Time heals, and the shadows that hang so dark and heavy now in many homes Will tighten little by little, but though it change color, the shadow will be there in measure, and we say this cannot be good. All things work together for good
 "Just as in a group of brass instru- ments, one single and alone does not make pleasing music, but when taken all together wonderful harmony, heavsnly music results. So these varying expe | ences. taken all together, will produce harmony tfat we cannot now see and understand, as they appear one after an- other.
 We can know that loving Father watches through it all and our best spir- itual good is desired; not temporal. ma terial, fleeting things, but the real, the spiritual, the thing that lasts. We do not come out of these things unchanged, we are purged and softened. We look life , and death in the face, unafraid, with a confidence gathered from the meeting with God and the great realities ot life"
 Mrs. Victor Prowell presented the church with large satin service flag, with heavy white silk cords ending in tassles; 75 stars adorn this flag, three of which are of gold in honor of the dead soldiers, Alfred Eaves, Lee Boorse and Paul Jones.
 Since the flag was hung 14 additional men have entered the service from this congregation. making a total of S9 men.
 Mrs. Prowell owns the distinction of having four sons and brother in the
 
 beautiful flag.
 A very warm welcome was accorded Capt. Dwight S. Bayley, former associate pastor, now stationed at Camp Wads- worth, who is here on a short visit to his family.
 Captain Bayley spoke in an interesting fashion of some phases of his work as Red Cross secretary in the home ser vice department of the organization, giv- ing an insight into the Very reaI naad that is being met, by this department of the Red Cross, among the boys in camp.
 pr. Edmonds spoke, at the Lyric as usual in the evening. 10 large congre gation, his subject being The Peace Tha, Passeth Understandings
 The music was unusually good. Mrs Turner's violin solo was delightful
 The offering taken was for the North side Neghborhood house. which is doing such splendid work for the children and women of that locality, and in which the Independent church is greatly interested.