Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-10
CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH DELEGATES
FINE SERVICE FLAG
PATRIOTISM RAN HIGH. I. L.
HUBBELL, +. A. WASHBURN
AND REV. BLAIR SPOKE

The patriotic service and dedication
of the service flag held in the Con-
gregational church Sunday afternoon
was we'll attended and the program
prepared for the occasion was carried
out in very interestinr and impress
sive manner. 1t was in honor of the
boys of our city who have enlisted for
service in the ranks of the Nations
army to make the world safe for dem
ocracy, some of whom are already on
the battlefields in France and on the
firing line. Sixteen stars graced the
flag which was unfurled, represent
ing Clarence Bailey, F. Sidney Wash
burn, Ernest Menkee, Clayton Knapp,
George Menkee, Broas Mann, Thomas
Barnes, Elwood Weter, Melvin Wag-
ner, Hugo Fales, Lyle Madden, Albert
Loewe, Clarence Green, Leo Orser,
Oscar Rummler, Spencer Smith, and
Miss Jean Clark, nurse, now on her
way to France.
The program was interspersed with
songs of a sacred and patriotic ma
ture, led by the choir, accompanied
on the pipe organ by Miss Ellen Blair
and Mr.. George K. Wagner, who sang
Fires Fire Burning. Aaong tn, the songs songs
rendered were: "Onward Christian
Soldiers" Battle Hymn of the Re-
public" "The Star Spangled Banner"
and america" The choir also gave
two anthems, Break Forth Into JOY"
and america, the Beautiful"
The following pledge was read in
unison, the whole congregation stand
ing:
"We, the people Of this church
= and city, are grateful to AL
mighty God for the courage and
heroism of our citizens. We who
are to serve the country at home
pledge to our soldiers and sailors,
as our first ne of hope and de-
fense, our patriotic loyalty, ear
nest prayers for deliverance and
victory, and our whole-souled
conservation to the Nations
cause"
Capt. |. l.. Hubbell of the Home
Guards prefaced the raising of. the
National flag with a brief speech
along the line of according it honor
at all tines and by standing firm for
the principles it represents. He was
heartily applauded for the effort and
excellent thoughts the address con-
tanned.
Mr.. Hubbell emphasized especially
in well chosen words the duty of every
citizen TO be loyal at this crisis in the
history Of our country and assist in
every way TO uphold the flag and
maintain the Nations honor.
AS the flag was raised the whole
audience arose and sang, "The Star
Spangled Banner"
Fred A. Washburn raised the ser
vice flag and in his splendid remarks
paid high tribute to the boys who
have so nobly responded to their coun-
try's call. 1t is a great thing to be
an American in these days and he
suggested the thought that if there
had been a bit more of genuine
Americanism in the Nation in the past
years it would not be necessary now
for the boys represented by the stars
on the flag to be facing the bullets
of a relentless foe. But we are in
the war to the end; we must stand be-
hind them; give them loyal support
whatever the sacrifice.
Rev. A. j. Blair spoke for twenty
minutes on the topic, "The Ideals of
America" making it interesting and
instructive.
During the rendition of the pro-
gram an added verse to America"
was sung:
God save our noble men,
Send them safe home again,
God save our men;
Keep them victorious,
Patient and chivalrous. M
They are so dear to us,
God save our men.