The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-02
WOMEN
 AND THINGS

have read many Red Cross poems since the war began. and some of them have been fine, but the one which gripped me most is one l am going to use here, and was written by John H. Finley, and appeared in the National Geographic magazine
 I kneel behind the soldiers trench, 1 walk mid shambles' smear and stenchs
 The dead 1 mourn;
 I bear the stretcher and I bend Der Fritz and Pierre and Jack to mend
 What shells have torn.
 
 Let no one think because the guns are silent over Flanders fields and on all the fronts-that the Red Cross work is finished-the work of mercy still goes on. We have thousands of wounded, amputated, convalescent men abroad and at home. One with arm in sling came and sat by me just now. So long as they need nursing and cheer, "the greatest mother in the world' will stand by with open arms, gentle hands and loving hearts to fondle those torn by shells" "I go wherever men may dare, I go wherever woman's care
 And love can live;
 Wherever strength and skill can bring Surcease to human suffering,
 Or solace give"
 Through the storm of battle, without thought of fear, the Red Cross has gone not only to the soldiers shot down in the fighting line, but it reached them in No Mans land," it succored them in the trenches, it cheered them in the huts But it never halted alone by the man in uniform, but went to the tortured peoples. ground beneath the heel of the brutal sav- agery, and carried sustenance and help It has fed the hungry, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, sheltered the home less, giving solace everywhere. T am your pennies and your pounds; am your bodies on their rounds
 Of pain afar;
 am you, doing what you would If you were only where you could Your avatar."
 America today has learned the joy of hilarious giving. Our people charged with gross materialism have shown to the world that the United States had gathered not for the keeping but for the giving-not for the saving but for the spending-we have learned that the real greatness of this republic Is not in it's vast expanse and it's scarcely untouched possibilities, but in its capacity for serv- ioa 1a Red Cross works for you while you stay at home. And it's work Is only begun, for it's the mission of the great human itarian organization to comfort & world broken and bleeding.
 'The cross which on my arm I wear, The flag which OCT my breast I bear, Is but the sign Of what you d sacrifice for him Who suffers on the hellish rim l Of wars red line" ! The story of the American Red Cross Is | the story of the development of the spirit | of the lowly Nazarene, "who went about all Galillee, healing the sick, and bind- ing up the wounds of the broken hearted It's the heavenly note heard above the roar of traffic and trade In the busy marts of men, calling them into the service of their fellow man. As Jesus 1 gave his life ransom for the many so the workers with the cross of rec upon a shield of white, are going for yor and for me wherever a cry comes fol relief.
 
 The Red Cross has been the practica prophet of peace, but these are days alike 1 of exaltation and uncertainty. Thefuturt of the world hangs in the balance. More than at any other moment, no one knows | what the peace council may bring forth but war or peace, it's work goes on for, so long as humanity had need, tht gospel of service is the highest law, ane the nations are watching with eager eyes and thankful hearts for the spirit of thu Master to have it's way among the peo pie of the earth.
 | This shall be the glory-the lasting 1 glory of America, that she went into thu war with clean hands and a pure heart and showed that a democracy is no Ete9ped Tn mater1aHSm put IS SOVerHet by the highest idealism which any ma tion in all history has ever shown. Thi land of ours has played the good Sa maritan in bigger way than mankind ever dreamed, and Europe is now con tvinced that the United States is not country of money grubbers" and tha the Golden Calf if ever set up has beel l overturned.
 You say, the Red Cross work is ended Stop for a moment and think. It's worl twill not be ended until a redeemed am Erebuilded world rejoices in justice am Efollows in the footsteps of the Man o sorrows and acquainted grief" but wh Invent about doing good" We must no falter. If you have read thus far, an have not yet enrolled as member fo 1919, do not rest content until you hay joined.
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