The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-10-24
WOMEN P ROPE SE
MIRACLE HUT IN
MOUNTAIN RETREAT
"0pen Door, to Be Mark o.
Place For Work and Rest
and Thought For
Everyone
BY sIIGNoN HALL

by MIGNON HALL
When you were a little child, you
may have read fairy story relating
how a princess went out for walk
one day. got far in the woods, and,
very tired and hungry. sighted cool,
rustic. inviting house,
Here she stopped and was fed and
refreshed by fairies and dwarfs of
the wildwood.
Didn't you wish ardently that you
could have been the' princess, and
even now, some weary. tiresome days,
you think with yearning soul of
just such a little hut-witsh that
you, too, grown UP. could drop by
and rest a while?
You feel you'd get a new grip on
things.
Well. princes and princesses of Bir-
ningham. there is a woman in this
hustlng burg who. aligned with sew
eral other persons, plans, II all things
go well, to open up just such a
miracle hut.
Hut of Rest
Her name is Mrs. Josephine II.
Brooks, and the hut" which al first
would contain 10 or 20 rooms, would
1t is to be located upon a large
acreage in some quiet spot where the
grounds can be made very beautiful.
Mrs. Brooks practically has selected
the site, and It may be that, very
shortly, an option will be had on the
place.
The idea is that from this "Open
Door" no one would ever be turned
away, the home catering to several
II
to those who are weary of tho il
lusions of life: those who want 20
serve but who have not found them
selves-not altogether; while a third
class IL would care for would he
artists and authors who would like
to go into the woods to do serious
work. Those who wish quietly TO
rest also will be welcomed. And no
one is to be disturbed IL he wishes
to be alone.
Plans I'm Detail
Mrs. Brooks set forth.
There would be a large central
building having a dining hall. lecture
room. silence room and office. There
would also be number of small
houses built on the grounds. At the
gate, or entrance, there would be
large round dome shaped building
with plenty OF windows and large
open fireplace for winter. This build
ing is the one to be dubbed THE
Open Door," and no soul would need
to pass on who wanted to enter, as
the portals would never be fastened.
yearly financing the proposition
would be done by those who would
like to remain for weeks or months
at such a place, and who would pay
board. They would find an atmos-
phere conductive to higher, quieter
thinking. There is no desire or aim
to make money-only to make IN
place self supporting and a surplus
which would be used in altruistic
work"
This was a heart touch:
There are many persons who ac-
tually are thinking of committing
suicide or have been upon the verge
of such mistake. Kind words and
someone to speak comfort-and
little stay among green trees would
build into these wretched ones new
courage. Ideals could be set before
them. This building at tho gate would
be a clearing house for the care of
suffering souls, the lonely or the
morose. 1t would be place for
anyone wishing cheer. There would
word of love. advice, comfort or
help. without price, to any who
sought out this mecca.
Children's Work
Later we want an immense build
ing for children, whore the little
felix's from institutions, and OF the
poor, could have a few weeks out
Ing. Here they would be taught
rules of health. and the thought i'm
planted In their minds that 1t is pos
sible for each of them to become
great in the big world of opportunity.
Each should be taught confidence in
knowing he could make life what he
wished; that he had right to be ro-
bust and happy and tho price he
must pay would be just to love his
fellow-man
1t is possible that a sort of citizen
corporation will start the work, be-
ginning with as large building as
can be afforded. Surely when the
work is started there will be those.
the people back of the movement
think, who would endow the institu
ton.
This kind of center would, we be-
lieve. soon attract the kind of people
who wanted to do many useful
things, and who would be willing to
spend their money to give comfort
and encouragement to those who are
struggling along with life's problems
unsolved."
Mrs. Brooks, who is an extremely
charming sympathetic, unselfish,
helpful woman, has had the hope of
establishing such a human rest-home
for many years.
IT see So much unhappiness. need
less worry, wasteful crime. How can
we blame persons for doing wrong or
not doing better than they do?
Every one does as high as he secs.
II persons commit crime it's because
OF lack of vision. What we should
give them IL inspiration more than
information"
beyond Lfnger Longer
Active work on THE Open Door"
tain. beyond Linger Longer lodge. is
declared to be an Ideal spot for the
hut IL arrangements can be made for
plenty of water.
At first Mrs. Brooks will super
wise the home and she emphasized
that the little group of Interested
persons would be pleased to accept
as co-workers any to whom the plan
may appeal.
I'm time" outlined Mrs. Brooks,
1T is hoped to have teachers and
lecturers on the Notwithstanding
like Chautauqua work-that will at
tract hundreds to our lodge as spot
different from all the world and
where the fundamental idea would
forever be advice end encourage