The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-06-08

Your birthday rings with grateful thanks, The peoples praise is loud.
 Could you peep down in the hearts of
 man
 Your music stirred. whose souls you've
 walked.
 You'd live always, and grow to sweet old
 age.
 Thus fill the air with melody and give
 to time sweet song.
 When music becomes a pastime, or a luxury" said Mrs. w J. Adams, presi- dent of the Community Sing. it is not serving the purpose for which God in- tended it, and only stands for its true worth when used as a means to bring about the things which are worth while"
 This very spirit has put into life this powerful factor for community service, Our city needed melody-it needed the mellowing influence of song, of praise and love. God given voices pouring out to the audience, and this audience. in return, giving of their own voices to make one grand concert.
 TWO years ago today it came into ex- stence, the place. Capital Park The thought was created by few public spirited people of Birmingham, who were called together by Mir. Robert Lawrence for the purpose of organization, when Mrs. w. J. Adams was chosen president and Mir Lawrence. director The city commissioners, at the instigation of this committee. erected a granS stand in the park for band and chorus. The move ments were quiet. that the accomplish ment be a surprise to the public. until ttey were ready for the music. The first sing was momentous occasion for those who had the plans at heart. Long be- fore the officials had reached the scene the crowds were there, seats all taken. Old and young were present. tired moth CTS, with babes in their arms, all waited the start. Mr. Lawrence stepped to the front, lifted his hands as a signal for all to rise, and hundreds of voices sang Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow" Then only did the small com mittee realize their splendid gift to the people, the value of a community sing, Song after song rang in the air--the pro- gra mme carried many back to yesterday, memories of years and scenes that were OCT. Tears came into many eyes, voices trembled, all present were touched by the mighty power of song. Today many are gone from us who were among us then, but many still are here, new voices have Joined the ranks and all hearts beat as one. The people know that the infant inspiration has lived and grown among them, and they love the soul of harmony and the soul of song
 MT. Lawrence has gone to a larger field, but the harvest planted is being cultivated by the enthusiastic president, Mrs, Adams her gentle but preserving in- fluence has continued it's success.
 She speaks as she feels, when she says: Music is the universal language, spoken by all creeds, all nations. all people. Your music may not be my music, but it will strike a responsive cord in my heart and thereby become part of mine. It is the great spiritual force which bnits together the community soul. Subtle in it's action, but mighty in it's force"
 The sing for this afternoon will begin at o'clock. Short talks will be made during the afternoon, Commissioner Ellis Brown for the city. MT. John R. Horn ady, state chairman, will talk on War Savings Stamps and Mir Kenneth F. Smith will tell what War Savings Stamps have done for other states.
 A special musical programme will be rendered and Mrs. Mae Crowherd will sng-and thus begins new year of community service, rendered for the well fare and entertainment of the people. Whenever a thing of this kind moves on so smoothly, we cannot see the strug- gle which it requires to carry along the cause. Yet it requires the same capacity to grow and thrive as other undertakings that is, a definite amount of coin. This