Milford chronicle., 1935-10-04
fredericksburg Pastor
Praises Red Cross Work
Ccomrnunicated)

ing IN the period after the food
Such an expression would have beer
more Biblical than literal IL made
some weeks ago, but times have
changed and with the rush Of water
we found our homes inundated. Th'
water in the streets was from SIS
to twelve feet deep. Boats were pa,
trolling the streets and taking pas
sengers from the roof tops. Family
possessions were being driven before
the flooding waters. The streets were
mo longer Dassable and automobiles
too long delayed in exit, were now
being submerged by the rising tide
The excitement Of the moment plus
the constant demand that human life
be saved at all costs made the esti-
mate Of property destruction impos-
sible for the time, and yet every
where the savings, Of a life time
were being completely and finally
swept away.
The food subsided. After weary
hours in which all human beings
were either brought to safety on
higher ground or refuge and care
provided within the flooded area, the
waters began to go down. In the
wake was the slime and dirt Of the
soil; the OdOr Of the remaining
waste; the completed picture Of ruin
and destruction. We are a people Op-
timistic. Long before the water left
the streets we were back into the
homes trying to salvage that which
was useable and Fastening to bring
the quiet comfort Of hearth and
home from amid the debris. In few
Gays the casual observer walking
the streets would say that Federals-
burg had definitely recovered from
the food.
In the midst of our distress came
the American Red Cross. What cred
il we give and what homage we pay
70 this Organization with the hu-
man touch is impossible of expla-
nation in mere words no matter how
broad and fine the vocabulary.
Through the emergency, "the great
est mother Of them all" stood by and
aided our homeless and hungry.
With the receding waters the actiVi-
ties Of this organization took on
new. and to me, unusual color. Into
the homes left bare and vacant by
rushing, swirling waters, went the
representatives to bring the neces-
sary furniture to re-establish a
place in which to live.
In the work of the Red Cross l
have been moving throughout the
homes Of this community. Homes in
TO which l had gone as minister and
uastOr before the flood descended.
Strange have been the sights / have
seen. "The glory which was Israel Is
no more"
Today. almost three weeks after
the period of emergency, we found a
man and wife eating dinner seated
lupon two lard cans and using box
as A table. The home had been one
Of modest comfort and the pile OF
wreckings in the back yard was
mute testimony to the destruction OF
IiFe-tigae savings. The pictures OF
need have been so depressing tnat
the end of a day is filled with the
visions of situations into which some
Iiqht must be made to fall If indeed
the morale is to be maintained.
we sometimes feel that color
ahouId make the difference in the
anDIication of help. True it is that |
even now the homes Of many OF our
negroes are over turned and the RED
Cross Is renting house as an emer-
gency for five of these families IN
tiI their houses can and viii oe
riRhted. The loss is not, however,
confined entirely to the colored sec
fion of our city. Over two hundred
homes were three days under water.
last night the home lights fell upon
hare floors and rooms vacant except
for the occasional chair. The dirty
walls. from which the paper was
torn and in which the falling plaster
has made great holes, reflect SOM
Der shadows as the family unites for
the evening meal. Can the human
heart look and live long in the
midst of this condition without los
ing ali hope and without the de-
paTture Of even the urge to start
again?
I can hardly give expression Of
the situations into which have gone
in the past few days. Let me give the
bright side Of 1t all. Into a home the
Red Cross sends the mattresses and
beds which made possible rest and
Deace at night. Into another home
goes the coverings for the floors and
The room begins again to take on
that appearance which made it the
center for its occupants at
he close Of their daily labOrs. In
his house the paper is being renew
Nv and the paint will soon be fresh
and clean. order b coming out Of
chaos through the efforts Of the Red
Cross.
The fact remains that relief can
md Is being given only insofar as
ne funds are prevalent to meet the
reeds. / trust that my plea for sup
,ort 70 the splendid service being
.endered IN my community is not out
4 place in your paper. The needs
ire great. The agency Of assistance
s already in the field. II is not pos
IibIe that some Of your readers may
e most anxious TO aid in the relief
4 the suffering Of others through
he support Of the Emergency Relief
york being carried on amid the Hood
ufFerers in fredericksburg.
Very truly yours.
REV. C. IRVING CARPENTER
Union M. z. Church