Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-15
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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
tie 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 are going to
have their chance of life.
From this minute the Red Cross
becomes a part of us. and we be
come part Of the Red Cross.
HTHILE we do our Christmas
w shopping this year, while
we 1--we these days of new
exhiliratien-these thrilling days
that are like draughts % the richest
vine of life-now, before we suffer,
Red Crosses viii seem TO be eveey-
where. In the stores among the
cleaning fabrics and the gifts for
soldiers, among the pretty toys on
the Christmas trees, In railroad
stations, in factories, in theatres,
in markets, in churches. in settle
mcnts, in homes, in schools, in the
streets there will be hundreds and
hundreds of Red Grasses. Every
where there viii be picturesque
booths, with someone in uniform,
smiling and happy, asking for new
members. And 1t will all seem like
some wonderful. beautiful game.
Let rs take all the strength and
inspiration that It gives US. Truly
it is beautiful and It is wonderful
so much of these things that it will
make many men and women see
double: see with the eyes of the
spirit the Red Cross on the battle.
front, on brassard that is stained
with precious blood,
The campaign drive for 10000,
600 members will be on! But i
won't seem large. Yet one new
member has potentialities of serv
ice beyond any computation.
"HEATRES will be crowded
and the gaiety, when it is no
cruel, will help to make tn
world go round: so many men il
uniform and beautifully dresse'
women, the orchestra playing 9Th
Star Spangled Banner" patriotisr
beating high
But we know it is q change
world. There Is something siniste
In the war-sax at the box-oiiics
Underneath the laughing there
choking. In France, BOYS are &c
ing over the top; and through tn
strains of 1.-THE Star Spangle
Banner" there seem to echo til
words of the French officer spoke
over the graves Of the soldier
: killed in the first American er
gagement in France. in Sovembe
of this year:
We will, therefore, ask that
the mortal remains of these
young men be left here, lefi
with us forever. We viii in
scribe on their ton.bs: s.Ierc
lie the first soldiers of the Re-
public of the United States tc
fall on the soil of France in the
cause Of Liberty and Justice. y
The passer-by will stop ant
uncover his head; Travellers anc
: men Of heart will go ont OF their
way to come here, and pay theil
respective tributes.
: Private Enrigilt!
!. Private Gresham
; Private Iayi