Gilpin observer., 1912-03-28

L
the beginning, and forms
three of the prime elements in the
flags of the United States navy. A
red cross in satire is typical of
guardian; blue satire cross means
danger; while blue Latin cross sig
miles the service, devotional or church
flag. The last mentioned flag came
into being Immediately after peace
was declared between north and
south; and ever since 1866 1t has
been accorded precedence even over
the national banner. on certain occa-
sions. 1t is the only pennant which
at special periods can and does float
above the Stars and Stripes.
The flag is triangular in shape and
white in color, upon which is blazoned
In blue Latin cross. Just before d.
vine service commences on board a
ship of war the Christ emblem Is
thrown to the breeze. Its white back
ground is symbolic Of purity; the blue
or azure. signifies virtue and godli-
ness. and the cross is emblematic Of
the Savior of mankind.
Chaplain Evans of the United States
steamship Minnesota writes as fol-
lows: The nag (service) flies proudly
above the nationale ensign during di-
vine service, and proclaims to all in
sight that the only true patriotism is
that which has God as its author and
which can be sealed with the stamp
of approval by the incarnate God-His
Son. To the chaplain whose heart Is
in his work. Sunday is his great day.
There is always celebration Of
Holy Communion at a. m. BY the
courtesy of the admiral this is held
In his after cabin, to which all off,
GERS and enlisted men have ready ac-
cess. Communicates of all Christian
bodies are invited to attend. and there
is always a good attendance. At
10:3 30 a. m. the bugle sounds church
call. the church pennant is flown
from the mast. and the ships bell is
tolled. Then the official divine serv-
Ice is held. or necessity the altar
is a portable one. the pews consist
ing OF the mess benches. with chairs
in front for the officers. The service
never lasts longer than fifty minutes,
and consists of prayer. song, and
short, plain talk Sunday afternoon
there is Bible class. and every eve
ming there Is prayer meeting. At
40 on the Sabbath the band gives
sacred concert for one hour. always
closing with Onward Christian Sol
diers' and 'Adeste Fideles.'"
From the foregoing extract from
Chaplain Evans letter II will be seen
that the standard bearing the Cross OF
Christ is granted Official recognition
and pre-emincnce by the federal gov.
ernment at stated intervals. This
may seem trife inconsistent when
II is remembered that our Declaration
of Independence and the Constitution
of the United States do not recognize
any religion. Yet It does not appear
no strange when the evolution of our
continent and republic is taken into
consideration; and we are confronted
with evidence Of how numerous were
the Christ tokens in tho various fiaSs
which fioated over land and sea ere
ths Stars and Stripes became the So
promo emblem Of the western world.
Hveu the alphabet OF tho navy de-
partment In which peculiar her
aldic smblem form . charge upon q
Slngie flag. the letter IN" II q white
sal1re cross in q blue field: q golden
Lakan GROSS II tho letter r." while Q
rsd saitiFe GROSS 10 the letter ~"
This further indicates how tho Christ
symbol. the cross. has woven itself
into the heraldic and patriotic e.
sence Of the history of the nation.
Tho sross Of Jesus was indeed early