Evening star., 1942-01-31

SoAeAhuS w w ASAN 4~ SoJ'
occupied rooms are aieh elsewhere
or temporarily suspended.
The quartering Oft troops was
undertaken with the C o operation of
the pastors. According to the COM
manding offlcer, it was, deemed ad-
visable to billet the mem In buildings
instead of housing them in tents.
In addition to church properties,
other local buildings are occupied by
soldiers.
Church leaders dotnot recall any
similar housing of troops, in churches
during World War I, but observers
point out that the th4at Of attack
on our shores was not 40 great then
as today. However. .tAurches were
at one time used for tie treatment
of wounded soldiers.
Christian Flag.
The Christian flag Dit the news
this week when the Federal Council
OF Churches issued 1ecommenda-
tions on the use of fl;gs in church
buildings in response1 to requests
by church groups. u
Many laymen have. not known Of
the existence of special Christian
flag. But it has been ,iSed since 1897
when it was devised hy c. G. Over
ton as a flag for Sunday schools and
churches. It's purposes was <to re
mind all men of theirtAueg7ance to
God, just as their national flag ex-
presses loyalty to their,country."
The form most generally regarded
as the Christian flag, according to
the Federal Council of-Ch,Hches. is
a white rectangle with a blue tri-
angle field In the UPPER corner at
the mast side which eaatains a red
Latin cross.
The council points fo1t. however,
that this flag is recognized only by
general usage and nd by official
action of any ecclesiastical body.
Various other designs employing
the cross are in aIe by some
churches. The Protes isn't Episcopal
special flag.
A Christian symbol IS ,also used
by the United States Navy. The
flag Is a triangled penrfInt of white
with a blue Latin 0pssCin the
center.
The Army also preauhbes q spe-
cial flag for Christian Chaplains-a
blue rectansle with al white Latin
cross.
The Federal Council pointed out
that if church flagpc banner is
used along with theF flag. of the
nation in the sanctuary. tthe symbol
of loyalty to God shpsh be given
precedence and placedtto the right
of the congregation. nie they face
the altar. The UnitedIStatesN Navy
also gives precedence tD, the Chris
tian flag by flying 1t above the stars
and stripes during tkei period OF
divine worship.
Association appears tofdissent from
this procedure. It's cod, OF flag etl-
auette, adopted in 1924. rules that
the place of honor shuN always be
given to the nationals nag.
Act on War Situations
Church groups acted this week
on situations related to the war:
In the belief that current, efforts
to blueprint the postwar world
must not be permitted To over
shadow the task Of ps1servhg de-
mocracy at home, tfk Executive
Committee Of the FEDERAL Council
of Churches authorized the council
staff to make a study oi.the ipresent
status of democracy ils racial and
cultural relations in America.
The Federal CounciY also recon-
| mended that Christians IN gooc
health donate blood -m the relief
of suffering and the saving OF life
The National Council Of Catholic
Women made plans fbr co-ordina-
ton of all Catholic wumenS groups
in war work and in efforts for the
postwar reconstruction.
A number of churches in various
parts of the country announced
they would invest fund in Defense
bonds.
President Indorsts Week.
President Roosevelt sths week
Endorsed the annual observance OF
Brotherhood week to be held
throughout the Nation. February
1922, under the auspices Of the
National Conference o.: Christians
and Jews.
The President saidj that more
than armaments and armies are
needed to make our democracy safe.
I'VE need" said Mr.. Roosevelt, "a
secure bond of understanding among
all citizens and, even moIe ,the prac-
tice of brotherhood and tof willing
Uruth StuntsatH