Dr. Bryan Joins In Relief Appeal; Tells of Distress He Sees Daily

Note: Appeal by Bryan: I know that the people of Birmingham have warm and generous hearts and that they will come to the relief in this emergency. I only wish all our people could know the real conditions of privation which have come to my attention during the last few weeks. Of course we always hate a few people who are unfortunate and through sickness and other misfortune, are in need, even in times of prosperity. “But conditions now are very grave. Many families which had saved a reasonable amount for a ‘rainy day are now in distress. It was not their fault, but they have been out of work for so long they have nothing to eat except what is given them. It pains them deeply to ask for aid. Only necessity and the distress of their wives and children forces them to accept help. Most of our people dont know liow general unemployment is in our city and district. 1 preach eacn dav at shops and industries in different parts of the city and recently many of tiiese meetings have been called off because there were no men employed to hear me. These people who are in need are anxious to work but they can get nothing to dd. I have tried to get places for many of them but have succeeded in only a few instances. “I have calls at my home and church every day and I visit many of these families and I know their conditions. They must have help and have It at once. This is a grave emergency and I know that the generous heart of Birmingham will not see them suffer privation, hunger and illness without assistance. -ile I was attending the meeting the relief committee Friday, a pi eminent man there gave me a bill to use In helping people.” I was glad he did, for when I reached home I found that several people In destitute circumstances had called In my absence and some of them had no food for that day. I was able with the money this gentleman gave me to tide them over for a brief period. “Many of us have very little to give but who would not make a sacrifice to save his neighbor from suffering and his neighbors children from want a distress? God will reward the i….u or woman or ‘child who ministers to the needs of the unfortunate in this grave crisis. M prayer is that all might know the conditions as I know them. If they did, the gifts would be ample to meet all needs.”