The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-31
M E N, w O M E N
 A N D T HIN c s


 that never dies out.
 She was here last year, and one of the schools in Alabama was richer for her visit, for the great-hearted woman, touched by it's needs. willingly gave her time, her voice and even her money to see to it that worthy boys and girls might not be denied a chance to get a vocational education.
 I may be telling tales out of school. but when she sang at the Judson, she spent the night in the home of Pastor Bagby of the famous old Siloam Bap- tist church. It was an event in the pas- torium, and when she left the preacher and his wife felt that the evening with the great singer would remain as one of the red letter days in their lives. I happened to be with her after she had sung at the Judson. and she was surprised in telling me of the cozy time before. that he was one of my friends. went with her down to one of the big music houses and she ordered vic- trola sent to the Bagby's at Marion. It was gracious act, but only one of the hundreds which she had done. Therefore, when there was some doubt in the minds of the committee as to whether she would sing on Sunday art- ernoon at the Bijou for the benefit of the starving children of central and sout Europe, was sure in my own mind that she would do it cheerfully if the agency and her managers consented, and the lessees of the Jefferson would give their consent. In passing, I think that the agency and the manager of the Jefrer- son theatre, where she sings tonight, desetve the thanks of the European council of relief.
 Another thing ought not to be forgot ten, and that is Marcus Loew donated the Bijou, the manager, MT. and Mrs James put themselves freely at the com mand of the committee and the ushers, stage hands, and in fact the whole Loew organization kicked in wholeheart- edly for all it was worth. It's great for a man like Marcus Loew to waive any fec for the use of his house, but it is just as deserving when every one of the local employees, from manager down, strives to make the concert success.
 But back to the interview which the committee had with Schumann-Heink and her manager. It was staged in a corner room on the ninth floor of rhe Tutwiler. She had just gotten off the train, and was travel weary. It was lunch hour, and she had a. headache, but no one knew it from any complaint she made. She very properly wanted to know if all parties concerned had agreed to let her sing if she felt so inclined, and when assured that it was now up to her, she said, Then you know I'll sing"
 I had the pleasure of seeing quite bit of her on her recent visit. and she remembered me simply as the preacher. and so when they handled about her be-
 ing a widow and Erskine Ramsay a bachelor. she turned to me and said What are you doing here?' I laughing ly replied, 'I am here ready to tic the knot if my services are needed" Everybody was in good humor, and while she had been most gracious. she said. T hope I haven't been cross"
 Her manager told me he had arranged for the madame to have motor trip in the afternoon, and so Sunday afternoon when I went behind the curtain to pay my respects, I said, q hope you got rid of your headache.' She answered, "Yes, it vanished on that wonderful ride 1 took. I had no idea that Birmingham was so beautiful and like the rest of our distinguished visitors who are shown our picturesque homes and magnificent views, she was profuse in her apprecia- tion of the wonderful setting of the Magic City.
 It's great to be great artist, but it is greater to be a great artist and at the same time great man or woman. Now, Maname Schumann-Heink Is a great artist. as everyone will testify who heard her on Sunday afternoon. In the morning I had heard Dr. Edmonds. and one of the things he brought out in his talk to the children in his sermonette to them before the regular services was the possibility of making the house of God a reverential place, a church building in which there was an atmosphere ur worship.
 I do not know how the performance at the Bijou reacted on others who were present, but for myself I felt in tune with heavenly things The whole pro- gramme was reverential and uplifting. The introductory talk by Dr. Middleton Advent. pitched the entertainment on spiritual grounds. and there was a hush over the audience as if it had been lifted above material things.
 Having to speak at the community sing, I found a seat on the settee in the rear reserved for the manager and his wife. Madame Schumann-Heink came out and her opening song was a benediction. blessed recitative aria, the words ana tune fitting the occasion in a striking way as the keynote was about love ana care for my children. The singer sang herself into the heart of every man and woman present, and I am sure that each one was stirred to do what they could for the relief of the needy ones overseas.
 suppose it made little impression on some who were present at the interview in which she agreed to sing, as so much