Norwich bulletin., 1918-06-17

with fourteen stars. was bleNsed and dedicated at St. Andrews Episcopal church by the rector of the parish, Rev. William H, Smith. assisted by his brother. Rev, Leonard Smith. As the procession entered the church the con- gregation rose to sing national hymn. | William Andrews acting as ceremon- l iariuss carried the cross, followed by Scouts William Baker and FreAerick Kendall, who, representing the military l forces, carried the American flag and the service flag respectively. The vest i ed choir was composed of junior mem- l bers and was accompanied by Miss l Wanifred Baker. After the singing of the professional the flag still furled. was placed upon the altar where 1t remained until after the recitation of the Apostles Creed. The service flag was a gift to the church by the La dies Guild who purchased it with funds from their treasury and present. ] ed it to the parish.
 Evensong was sung at 7.30, the Rev. Leonard Smith reciting the psalms, an- I te- -consecration and war prayers. Lay Reader Otto Mush read lessons from the first book of Kings and the first Epistle of St Peter The flag was dedi- cated by the rector who also preached l the sermon upon Patriotism.
 The church bell was rung fourteen times just before Evensong, once for each star upon the flag to indicate the number. Intercession was made for the American for the American forces l (those from the congregation being mentioned by name), for those fallen l in battle for the anxious and bereaved, and for peace.
 The flag was taken from off the altar and unfurled for dedication during the singing of the hymns Our Fathers God 1 to Thee, to the tune America. After pronouncing the invocation the congre- | gation still standing, the Rev. William H. Smith said. ''We bless, dedicate, and
 consecrate the flag. Let this flag so lconsecrated and set apart be displayed that it may perform the function as- signed to it. May the sight of it stirn- uiate the patriotic spirit of sacrifice and inspire us to breathe a prayer for
 the moral and physical welfare of
 those designated thereupon. God bless them all. God protect them, strengthen
 them, and guide them by day and by night, in life and in death, that they
 may be a credit to their country and
 an honor to their church, and a bless ing to their parents. Then followed the Gloria and the National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.
 Fourteen in Service.
 The following is the list of men rep Presented by the stars on the service lfiag: N
 In Navy-John William Barwell.
 In Army-Frederick Baker, Johnston
 Beaft Banfeld, John Bromley, George 5 Draper, John Thomas Graves, John [ William Eaton George flake (Cana-
 dian Expeditionary Force1, Charles Raymond Nichols, James Arthur Pear l son. George Shaw, George Shore, AL 5 bert James Turner, William Croston.
 Before singing the introit hymn
 Lord God of Hosts, to the tune Melita . the Rev. MT. Smith thanked the con- 3 gregation and societies of the church
 naming especially the Girls Friendly
 society, the Altar chapter, the Ladies . Guild for the patriotic efforts they had 7 undertaken for the purchase of Liber- i ty bonds and Red Cross work and re- quested them not only to cntinue show
 ing their loyalty but to do ever greater
 things for the future.
 Tn speaking of patriotism the Rev . MT. Smith said:
 am deeply sensible of the very higf 1 honor done to St. Andrews parish by a the men who have gone forth from this h congregation to do battle for freedom t and justice. I am equally consciou: h that we are justly proud of them
 1 proud of them as men and proud O
 their loyalty as citizens of the United
 States of America.
 Loyalty to the state is one of thu " first principles inculcated by the an e cient and historic branch of the Hol! n Catholic church which we represent g, and wherever our men are found vol e find men who are second to none e patriots of sterling worth, men 0 e. calibre and stability.
 s, There is something in the old churcl Is which tends to foster fundamenta J. loyalty. A large proportion of thos e, now fighting in France have been con VI nected more or less with our com g munion. We are proud of this pro Is portion Churchmen have great an u worthy traditions to uphold, and h k. who is not in the truest and deepes er sense loyal to the state is traitor t 70 his church. =. y The exercise of patriotism is 'e Christian virtue. Patriotism is 1oyalt l. to and service of those who are aroun Id us and connected to us by various ties ct The starting point is love and wort ze and virtue in the home. Those wh ve are best at home are best as citizen! k Those who are most loyal to the worl sh are most loyal to their own countr, Id Love towards ones neighbor lies 3
 I
 to Oftentimes one of the essentials (
 patriotism is to>criticize the state Nc
 so in Germany. But the Christia spirit bids us know what we criticiz
 Men of upscrupulouS character, espe
 eially if ulterior motives prompt thei Fl, 10 make themselves conspicuous, fin
 it easy enough without our help
 cry down the government and those . authority. At no time ought we 1
 criticize without due consideration an
 discrimination. and especially at to time when the country Is plunged " the agonies of war
 ' What America needs today is me -d and women who are sufficiently patr ,s i etic to give their all for the commc
 good. The honor of the United Statt ', is at stake. We have professed gres ha ideals. Unless those ideals are mattel
 ed by strength, determination, imm,
 diacy-unless we fling into the conte
 all our resources before it is too lat d shame will cover this country's ia
 name. It depends upon our self -deni =l and organized capacity and patriotis
 whether we can and shall triumph. 1
 patriotic; fear God; honor the stat ne I know that many good and deep sor religious people think that war is ant lat Christian and that patriotism is rk. evil. But surely : against such nd opinion the voices of history, the vol ne of scripture the voice of Christendol Sv has decisively pronounced. War Ii ise its solemn morality. All war is n ,n- immoral. Under certain circumstanc cir it is nations plainest duty. Pea is immoral if purchased at the e
 pense of justice and freedom.
 - This war is largely a conflict of - non- Christian with a Christian vie
 | l,1E |