Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1918 — The Red Cross Answers [ARTICLE]

The Red Cross Answers

By THEODOSIA GARRISON

Of the Vigilantes. Dear God, to leave this sheltered place wherefrom I may not go To give my service to a world torn through with war and woe, To heal the wounds of broken men, to mend the shattered mind, To lend my hands unto the maimed, my eyes unto the blind; To give a woman back her man from out the very dead—- “ But I will do this for you,” said the great Cross of Red. Nay, but there are little towns that once were white and fair Now burned and bleak and desolate ’mid blackened fields and bare; If I might bring its people back to find there as before The staunch roof, the decent hearths the vines about the door; If I might lift a frightened child and leave it comforted—- “ But I will do this for you,” said the great Cross of Red. “You may heal the wounded and you may guide the blind, You may bring new comfort and joy to humankind, If so within your sheltered place you give me for your part The strength witbin your two hands, the pity at your heart; Through you, from you, of .you I am, by your own heart-strings ltd, I fail but if you fail me”—said the great Cross of Red.