The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-12-16

blind. Some will die. All are
grievously hurt.
Perhaps it is the presence Of God
there where so many men are close
to death that makes the old scales
drop from our eyes. For among
these mutilated that is what hap
pens to us-the old values, the old
conventions drop away forever.
Each crushed or broken body be-
comes so infinitely precious, as we
see it dominated by spirit. This
black man, this blind boy have
lifted us up. With new sense we
know that the things which are
seen are temporal, but the things
which are not seen are eternal.
And lifting up our eyes from the
stretchers, we see the Red Cross.
We see it on the arm OF the sur
gcon, giving his skill. On the arm
of the nurse, giving her youth. On
the insignia of the ambulance men.
giving their careers. We knew that
it was painted on the cases carry
ing these surgical supplies and
these healing drugs. We know
that it will wave above the hospital
to which these men IRE going to
have their chance Of life.
From this minute the Red Cross
becomes q part Of us. and We be-
come part of the Red Cross.
WHILE we do our Christmas
w shopping this year, while
we live these DAYS of new
cxhiliration-these thrilling days
that are like draugh.s Of the richest
wine of l;fe-now, before we suffer
Red Crosses will seem to be every
where. In the stores among tht
cleaning fabrics and the gifts fol-
soldiers, among the pretty toys or
the Christmas trees, in railroad
stations, in factories, in theatres
in markets, in churches, in settle
ments, in homes. in schools, in TIN
streets there will be hundreds ant
hundreds Of Red Crosses. Every
where there vii, be picturesque
booths, with someone in uniform
smiling and happy, asking for new
members. And It will all seem lik
some wonderful, beautiful game.
Let us take all the strength an
inspiration that it gives us. Trul.
it is beautiful and it is wonderful
so much of these things that it viii
make many men and women Sc
double: sec with the eyes ut tn
spirit the Red Cross on the battle
front, on a brassard that is stainc
with precious blood.
The campaign drive for 10000
600 members will be on! But
won't seem large. Yet one ne
member has potentialities OF ser,
ice beyond any computation.
THEATRES will he crowded
and the gaicty, when it is NJ
cruel, will help to make Il
world go round: so many men
uniform and beautifully dresst
women, the orchestra playing "Tl
Star Spangled Banner" PATRIOTS
beating high!
But we know it is a change
world. There is something sinist
in the war-:ax at the bcx-offc
Underneath the laughing there
choking. In France, boys are 2
ing over the top; and through 4
strains of 1.-THE Star Spangl'
Banner" there seem to- echo 4
words of the French officer spok'
over the graves of the soldie
: killed in the first American {
!, gagement in France, in Novcmb
; Of this year:
: We will, therefore, ask tina
: the mortal remains of thes
: young men be left here, LEI
G with rs forever. We will in
: scribe on their tombs: "Her
9 lie the first soldiers of the Re
: public OF the United States t
; fall on the soil Of France in tn
cause OF Liberty and Justice.
; The passer-by will stop an
b uncover his head; travellers an
: men of heart will go out Of thei
/ way to come here, and pay thei
!, respective tributes.
= Private Enright!
:. ..m Private Gresham!