Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-05
Editorial and Literary Department
THE GREATEST WORK OF ALL.


Holy and pure are tho drops that fail
When the young bride goes from her
fathers hall;
She goes unto love. yet untried and
She parts from love which hath still
been true.
A lovely May day Is waning. and as
the shadows deepen and the stars shine
out here and there In the darkeninE
sky. from all over the countrywide hun
dreds of people are gathering at big
white church on the outskirts Of Rich
mond. IT'S the wedding night OF Leslie
Colbrook and Roberta Vance.
AS the people entered the church
whispered ordinations of surprise
were heard from one and all. There
we're none of the beautiful decorations
which every one had expected. but just
above the altar hung a picture OF the
Christ. On his back h, bore the cross,
and on his head he wore the crown OF
loving protection for all. In glass
vase on Il stand just below the picture
were dozens of pure white lilies.
silence tar more el % aw sSan Words
Suddenly there peaIed through the
church tho beautiful notes OF the organ
not The sne dooes opsnad shd
bride entered with her father. The
music changed, and voice was heard
seemed that HI san an angel gel Of the Invisible
heavenly choir were ringing. AS she
listened Leslie's eyes frightened at
the words:
Oh. Jesus. Thou has promised,
TO all who follow Thee.
That where Thou art In glory,
There shall Thy servant be.
And, Jesus. l have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Oh. give me grace to follow
My Master and my friend.
She was dressed in neither wedding
gown or suit, but in the dress and
| headwear of Red Cross nurse. AT
tho altar she was met by Robert. who.
in his khaki uniform. presented fine
specimen OF young, courageous man
| hood.
| rich. clear. but softly modulated tones.
spoke to the people.
MY friends" he said. tonight you
of two dearly loved brethren, Leslie
Colbrook and Robert Vance. AT the
completion Of the ceremony they will
every neck was craned forward and
every ear strained to catch his next
| words. They are leaving friends and
home and are going. he. to fight with
| the allies to save our civilization: she,
| as Red Cross nurse. to help those who
| need her. to be of service to the suffer-
we'll" His voice broke and tear
stole down his withered old cheek.
The ceremony, was short; and soon,
| the bride and groom left the church,
| followed by crowd OF sorrowful
| friends.
"a perfect woman. nobly planned,
To warm, to comfort and command;
And yet a spirit. still and bright.
With something of an angel light"
In hospital in the southern part Of
France. at n window stands man and
| woman. In silence they stand gazing
| out into the night.
Tod 40
world; not sound broke the solemn
stiffness and repose OF nature The
summer breeze had rocked itself to
rest in the elm bonghs. and only the
| waning moon seemed alive and toiling
| as II climbed slowly up cloudless sky,
passing starry snntinels. whose mighty
| blue. as they paced their ccasel6ss
round In the mighty camp OF constella-
tons As II of one accord their minds
| ago. when they had heen married.
Suddenly the woman spoke. softly, as
though she were thinking aloud;
| ooh. the cruel cruel war! IT has
wrecked thousands OF homes. broken
| thousands of hearts. and left sorrow
S Sea sna Ses Ther' s was With
sigh. thank God for the Red Cross
work. Oh. II only people realized the
magnitude of the work: IL they real
lied that 1t is work done for the love
Of the cross on which our Savior died,
and that 1t is red with the blood He
| shed for us: oh, then. theY all would
! go into 1t with will. The guardian
angels of all the wounded ones during
| the past five years OF war have been
| Americas Red Cross nurses"
For months past Leslie had been a
| nurse in this hospital, working low
| inEly and tirelessly. The patients
| eyes grow bright when her step is
| heard and her touch banishes pain,
while her. smile lifts tho burdens from
| heavy hearts.
Tonight she and Robert were living
| over again the past five years. Pres
emily turning to her with an admirinc
| and LOVING smile, he asked: "And is
not my little Red Cross nurse tired OF
! tho work she has been doing SO
| hravelv? Does she not wish to return
| homer"
mo. M. Robert" she said: "there Is
work to be done now. AS in the time OF
| war. I have chosen my work, and II
| Is the greatest work Of all I shall
hear all the crosses sent me now. all
| that must bear. before I gain tho
| crown" She paused. and when she
| smoke egain there was n wonderful
light in her eyes and n beautiful smile
yes T shall keep on now. and when
| nv work here is done 7 shall thank
God that chose the er"oteat Ivort OF
all" MATTE CHERRY.