The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-01
M EN, w o M EN
 AND HIN c s

l believe in making much of birth days. l know some parents who, from year to year, plan to make those of their children pleasant occasions. was once surprised at a cold and close business man who evidenced much joy over the fact that it was his sonss birthday
 It's good thing for nations to have their centennials observed, it's the right thing for states to take note of the passing centuries, it's even the thing for cities to take into careful consideration. The nation, state or city which is indifferent about such observ- ances lacks in patriotism.
 
 l These thoughts came to me because I was absent from Birmingham or Wednesday last when the local Rotary club carried out such splendid pro. gramme marking the sixteenth mile post in it's life. It is true that 7 had the privilege of being present at the celebration of the Montgomery Rotary club, but while it was enjoyed 1t lacked | the fellowship would have had here,
 
 America instead of being the most materialistic is the greatest idealistic nation in all the world. The American | lives by ideals so much so that 1t Is | marked and commented on by the his- torians and publicists of other natioH- alitfes as being peculiar phenomenon, for upon analysis instead of the United States being The Land of the Dollar," it is essentially the land of ideals. 
 Take this Rotary idea which is less than score of years old and seq what Americans have done with 1t. Not only has it taken possession of our own people but so enthusiastic has been it's propagation that already 1t has "been sold" for it's motto "He profits most who serves best" has become interna- tionalized, and now can be hoard around the globe.
 Just think of it, the Rotary baby which climbed into high chair n take its seat around the dinner table is now making it's formal debut as Miss. Rotary" at the age of sweet 16 I challenge anyone to ransack the pages of secular and profane history and find another instance where quartet of good fellows have so null tiplied themselves in so short time to be an international force.
 It is in Keeping with the eternal fitness of things that Rotary should have been born in the Windy City" the great western metropolis which is the very incarnation of America. If I remember correctly the motto of the Chicago man is q Dare" The Rotarian motto. which is but the essence of the golden rule, is the twentieth century mans, dare to do right" in all the relations of life.
 The most marvellous thing about the growth of Rotary which began in 1905 as club with four members and has grown into so5 clubs with 60,0o0 mem bers. has been reached not through powerful organization, which went ont to sell it to the various communities, but was a spontaneous uprising in each instance of group of men who having heard of its platform were eager to set in on it.
 Is there any thing stranger in the story of the ascent of man than that such club without creed or VOW. rit- uals or ceremonies, unmoved by thought for gain..or greed for power, should have come into being in the midst of people whom the Europeans were wont to set down as money grabbers, officeseekers and secret so- ciety bugs It's tribute, as I said in the beginning, to the power of an idea to get hold of an American and make him follow it at the cost of service.
 The idea is an all pervasive one. It grips all classes of men, the preacher, lawyer, doctor, merchant, banker, farmer or what not. It is absolutely democratic, being free from class or caste. Surrounded by individual ampi- tions as has been truthfully remarked, it has merged those ambitions into d common one. Surrounded by selfish interests, it has taught the great les Soh tHdl iHutsiuudl SUCCESS IS the ro- suit of the common success. In all the relations of life there is the abiding music of the beauty of service to ones fellow man. S32
 If you will step into the study of Dr. George Stuart pastor of the First Methodist church. Birmingham, you will find a framed copy of the Rotary platform. It is we'll worth being ex- hibited in the workshop of preachers of all denominations, for in spirit and essence it is but the attempt of mod ern men to put into practice the high principles of the Sermon on the Mount, and to convince the world that the ut- terances of the great Teacher are not 10 be put aside but embodied in tho social, religious and business life of our peo- pie.
 Rotary Is mans humanity to man at it's broadest, biggest and best inter- preted in the spirit of the worlds greatest exponent of brotherliness. the Carpenter of Nazareth. who, when on earth, went about doing good and wid- ening the circle of neighbors until at last Rotarians are striving to exem- plify the fact that the word has big ger intent and content than can be contained when limited to those who live adjoining to one, but takes Tn mon of every class and creed and race who need human sympathy.