The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-05-11
CITIZENS OF CLIO
ASSIST RED CROSS
HOLD SPLENDID MEETING IN THE
AUDITORIUM
Clergymen Make Slendid Speeches and
Audience Evinces Spirit Of Gener-
GUS Patriotism

The patriotic union service held in
the Auditorium last Sunday evening
was well attended and furnished @
substantial testimonial to the loyalty
and liberality of our people toward
their government in its time of need.
The meeting opened with the singing
of "Onward Christian Soldiers" by
the audience, and a choir of singers
from both churches rendered the ma
tional anthem as their opening num-
ber, which was followed by an invo-
cation by Rev. C. w. Greene. A la
dies trio, composed of the Misses
Smith, Ulrey and Lembach, then rem
dered beautiful selection, following
which the chairman of the meeting
briefly stated its purpose, which was
to quicken patriotic sentiment and en-
list the active aid of the people Of
the community in those efforts which
were possible in the emergency Great
ed by the entry Of our country into
the war against Germany and Aus
tria and their allies. The chairman
first introduced Rev. E. c. c. Ben
son who spoke eloquently of the bless
ings of liberty and said that the war
with Germany was a supreme test
which was to determine whether DEM
ocratic government was to survive.
1t is impossible for us to give COM
prehensive resume of the reverend
gentleman's speech, but it was splen-
didly patriotic and at its close the
audience testified its approval with
burst of applause. Rev. G.. W. Greene
was next introduced and, like his fell
fow clergym IN, made a splendid adj
dress in which he counseled the cheer
ful assumption of whatever self-sac-
rifice might be necessary on the part
of our citizens in order that the war
might be carried to a successful ter
mination md said that the cultivation
and maintenance of Christian char
acter was necessary to the uphQlding
of our national ideals. Rev Mr..
Greene was born and raised Ia Eng
land, but is now citizen of our great
republic, and reverting to the prjn-
ciples of liberty which Englishmen
have maintained for ages, he quotea
the great Cromwell who said: LET
love Of liberty unite the hearts of all
English people" These remarke
were applauded by the audience. The
ladies' trio next sang a patriotic num-
Sber, entitled, "We'll Never Let Our
Old Flag FALL" and were compelled
to respond to an encore. The chair
man of the meeting was the next
speaker, and presented the principal
object of the gathering, which was to
procure funds for the American Red
Cross, the great organization OF which
President Wilson is the head, and
which will have to nurse and provide
surgical and medical attention for our
soldiers when our troops are being
mobilized and after they engage in
actual hostilities, which now seems
probable, but which all unite in pray
ing a merciful God MY avert. The
speaker called attention TO the fact
that the medical staff Of the United
States government was only sufficient
to care for the regular army in times
of peace and that the government
must and did look to the American
Red Cross to provide this branch of
public service in time of war and that
timely support of it meant a minimum
Of sickness and suffering on the part
of those who must offer their lives
that the integrity and honor Of tho
nation may be preserved. The speak
er said that the American Red Cross
was q necessity, because it was an
international institution and its doe
tors and nurses could 60 with safety
where the regular medical officers
would be treated as helligercrts. and
further stated that IN its support the
people had an opportunity Of bacJ~e
up their patriotic impulses with-real
assistance. Subscriptions TO m 2mber
ship in the American Red Cross were
then asl cd for and thirty-fve dollars
were thus secured. This sum, coup
led with twenty eight dollars prcvi
,ously solicited, makes total Of $50
which the people Of Clio and vicinity
have contributed TO this worthy cayse
The meeting closed witl the singing
Of "America" by the audience and the
announcement Of the benediction by
Rev. T.. 9. C. Benson. 1t would be
impossible to overstate the necessity
for cid for the Red Cross, which in
advance of actual hostilities ms
provide tents, medicines, ambulances
and everything necessary for the care
Of sick and wounded in what may be
the greatest armed struggle in our
history, and if there are any others
among our readers who care to con
tribute they may do so by calling at
the post office, at Ed. l.. Beeman's,
Meeks & Wirth's, or at The Messen-
ger office. The memberships are 81,
81, SIS, and up to $100. Any sum of
So and over secures also the Red
Cross Magazine which is sure to be
filled with articles of an absorbingly
interesting character. We would also