The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-27
MEN, w MEN
 A ND THIN G s

I was asked to speak at a Thanksgiv. ing service on Wednesday night at ths Young Business Wofnens club, and glad ly availed myself of the invitation, as l felt that the women of this city had much to be thankful for.
 realize that there are some things ir the life of the business girl who comes to a great city like Birmingham which is an acid test of her character. It is nc easy thing to be satisfied in a. hall bed better quarters in apartment houses.
 S%
 No one is more appreciative of ths splendid work being done through the lo- cal Young women's Christian associa. ton than I am, for I have been in sym pathetic touch with it for years and am familiar with it's handsome building and modern equipment and the opportunities 1t offers in the way of recreation, study and place to live.
 But am not blinded to the fact that it makes no difference how much good will there is thrown into the effort to make home out of an institution, there is always something which is missed; a mothers touch is thing which no amount of money can buy. Then in spite of the wish to do away as far as possible with rules and. regulations. somehow there is a lack of freedom which can only be had under the old family roof.
 sss
 bless the memory of the loving wife of B. B. Conner, for I feel <hat I knew her intimately and> well. I can recni1 her Barbour county. I was often a visitor during her residence in AnnistOn; and frequently a guest here in Birmingham. The ComerS and the Barnetts have been friends from the time of the Civil war, and so when Bragg got his wife. Geor- gia girl of fine breeding and high cul- ture, it meant an addition to the society of aristocratic old Barbour. Blessings on the Eva Conner Memorial Home.
 
 am glad that this busy town of ours has kept in it's heart a place for the working women who from time to time have come here to make 1t their home. How I have seen them troop from the country to try their wings in the city. ' have known some tragedies in which their wings were singed, but on the other hand I am acquainted with many in stances in which their cityward fliglt but strengthened their pinions There be many country girls here who have kept their heads and clean hearts.
 We talk a great deal about the prob lem which faces the girl in the city, and too much prayer and thought cannot be given to it. I used to devote much time in my talks at the associations to im- press on my country brethren that they could not afford to neglect the city, as in many cases their daughters were headed for it. We talk in our city churches about the rural problems, and it's right that in the country they should think of our city needs
 There has been little stoppage in the exodus from the country to the city, and few there be who in answer to the cry Back to the country are going. The last census shows that more people live in towns and cities than in the country. This shifting of the population is of mo- mentous importance to us all, and if it is ever settled right will be when both city and country people quit thinking of one another as problems, but as brethren.
 I'll. not attempt here to give the pro- gramme Wednesday, but will content myself with saying that the rooms were as honlelike as possible and the spirit of love as genuine as ever found in clubs. really feel that women, and particu- larly business women had much to be thankful for at this thanksgiving. Anyone who reads history with his eyes open will be convinced that up to date man had the big end of its governance. Tn fact, it has been mans world.
 At one period woman was denieed every right; she was the slave of man, and this long after the cave days. when man was pictured with club. The familiar figure of woman and an OK yoked to- gether and driven by man well repre- resents the spirit of the past The He- brew rabbis made many proverbs re- lating to woman's condition: When Je- hovah was angry. He made a woman.' '' being one. But to be true to the records, we are indebted to Israel's God for mak- ing woman as the helpmeet of man. The old Testament is full of tributes to glorious women. On the whole. however, her place was one of subservieney.
 Inc fOnldnS anu tvVecldHS tres1teu il6r as child. I'll not take up the sad tale of her as the mera -nlaythng of man: yet, even from Greece and Rome there come down to. us stories of heroic women. I merely speak of the general : conditions of society. Any who care may look into the matter for themselves. It was the greatest Teacher of all, Jesus of Nazareth, who lifted woman out of her sphere of dependence and degrada- tion and lowered her with His loving sympathy. The New Testament and the Book of Acts speak eloquently of His lifting power of womanhood.
 It seems strange in the face of His teachings that after awhile she lost her status gained in the first centuries aft CT His death. Mediaevai ages found her working in the fields and supporting large families, while her husband and son fought for rights which they denied her. But today there has been an awakening, and-lshe has come into her own in every sphere of life. social, ecc- homie, political and religious, and woe be unto the man or set of men who gets in her way.
 The old saw which said: "Woman should leave her home but three times, when she is christened, when she is mar ried and when she is buried, is strange ly out of date in this twentieth century where the American woman goeth where she will at home or abroad and what 8 more knows how to behave and make herself respected. The above saying. like the kindred one of long standing, Wom- an, the cat and the chimney should never leave the house. We have outlived these archaic notions.
 
 Charles Kingiselys phrase, For men