The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-30
M E N , w o M EN
 A ND T HIN C $


 around the world as an efficiency expert when it comes to feeding starving peo- pies. He has a great heart, but he also has the genius to make dollar do it's full duty in all his relief work.
 Erskine Ramsey, chairman of the Ala bama division of the European relief council, with Gov. Thomas R. Kilby as honorary chairman, has called a meet ing of the state executive committee to meet here in Birmingham today. A few invited guests will be at the luncheon at the Tutwiler at 1 o'clock to advise re- garding the final decision on programme outlined for the states part in the col lection of the funds.
 Because I have had friends in the state to write me in regard to the complexion of the European relief council I will state here that at the request of Mir Hoover the following organizations are cooperating: American Friends Service committee, American Red Cross, Ameri- can Relief Administration, Federal Coun- cil of the Churches of Christ in America, Jewish Joint Distribution committee Knights of Columbus. Young Mems Chris tan association, Young Womans Chris collection for the suffering children or central and eastern Europe without re- gard to race or creed, but simply in the name of humanity.
 
 I am glad to know that Isidor Coons, the personal representative of MT. Hoover, will speak at the luncheon this give the executive committee first-hand information with regard to the needs and the best way to meet them. His message is to be challenge to the Br- mingham spirit, which has never yet failed to respond to worthy cause in that those invited to be present will come, even though at sacrifice of time.
 The celebration of the Christ child Is still ringing in our ears, and we cannot shut them to the cries of the starving little ones which come to us from over seas. Our hearts have been made very tender at the thought of Mary, the mother, and the Babe of Bethlehem. That divine event, which occurred nearly 2,0e0 years ago, put halo around ma ternty and sanctified childhood.
 
 Jesus was the gift of God to a world that was weary and heaven-laden, and it is small wonder that His birthday is commemorated each year by the giving of gifts among the children of men. Shall we let the spirit of Christmas die when the feasting and the singing of songs have for the time died? Or will we give in memory of His wondrous birth, His beautiful life, His sacrificial death, and His glorious ascension, food to save the little ones who cry out to us in His name and for His sake?
 Today, 9,5o0,0Oo of little children, who are as precious in His sight as were the little ones whom He stopped to take on earth going about Judea healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, and com forting the hearts of the broken ones. All joy and happiness have been blotree out of their lives on account of the cruel war, and we cannot stop to place the blame before we help. They are calling on us to save them from death.
 
 Their homes have been destroyed, their food and clothing are gone, their parents. many of them are dead. and the living ones are unable to do the full parts or mothers and fathers on account of the ravages of their homes and the destruc- tion of their farms. and the plotting out of their means of livelihood. Parents themselves in many cases are famine stricken. The blessed Christ calls on each one of us who believe in Him as our Saviour, or who reverence Him as great teacher, to prove our love for Him by feeding and loving His little ones.
 We have the food and we have the money, and I believe we have the de- sire to let the world know that this great country settled by men and women who came here to worship God after the dic- tates of their consciences without let or hndrance, have ears that can hear, eyes that can see, and hands that can relieve suffering children wherever they may be, and that without one thought Of whether they be Jew Gentle, Catholic or Protestant, or adherents of even faiths in direct opposition to Christianity.
 The heart of America is not dead, and as long as the cry of the child is the lieve that the people of this great re- public of ours will be willing to go dc wn into their pockets to still the grief of the dsnherited ones, put food into their empty stomachs, clothing upon their backs. and shelter over their heads. Jesus came not only to save His people from their sins, but He came that they might have more abundant life. The Babe of Bethlehem was born to bring joy to the word.' and He works through those who believe in Him or who have caught His spirit.
 Herbert Hoover has given America the terrible facts of the great tragedy inn pending in central and eastern Europe, a tragedy unparalleled in the worlds his try of childhood. He Is no sentimental reformer, but man of big business. who a cool head. He tells the people of the