Servant of Others - Testimony: Home and Abroad

This episode covers Clara’s post war testimonies of her experiences in the midst of some of the most notable battles of the Civil War, her surprising health challenges, her initial voyage to Europe and her return to America in 1873.  This period is the beginning of Clara Barton becoming one of the most known and influential persons on both sides of the Atlantic.  

Transcript

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Welcome back to Guided by Faith. This session represents episode four of the third season, Clara Barton, Servant of Others. This episode covers Clara's post-war testimonies of her experiences in the midst of some of the most notable battles of the Civil War, her surprising health challenges, her initial voyage to Europe, and her return to America in 1873. This period is the beginning of Clara Barton becoming one of the most known and influential persons on both sides of the Atlantic. Thank you for your willingness to listen. Given the nature and extent of the unique experience Clara realized during and immediately following the Civil War, she was encouraged by many to write her story so that others could benefit from her insights. Although not opposed to authoring an autobiography, although no such publication was ever completed, Clara believed the stories of her experiences were more effective if shared in person. Also, to no surprise, she believed such a publication suggested an assessment of her accomplishments much beyond what she thought was appropriate. Leveraging her years as a school teacher, Clara decided the most comfortable and effective path to enlightening the awareness of the American people as to the tragedy of the Civil War was through a lecture series. On October 25th, 1866, Clara began a lecture tour in Poughkeepsie, New York. The lecture was a masterful combination of first-hand experiences and compassionate testimonies as to the trials and tribulations of the Civil War combatants and their families. The substance of Clara's words and her impassioned delivery made it clear to all those attending that such a tragedy could never happen again. Two additional lectures in Outstate New York made it clear that Clara had a story to tell and a unique manner of telling it. Word spread quickly as to the quality of the lectures and the importance of the message, especially as it was being delivered by someone who was then becoming one of the most prominent figures in America. Over the next two and a half years, Claire traveled throughout New York, including Brooklyn, and into Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, and Illinois, including a lecture in the Chicago Opera House on the same schedule as John B. Goff and Theodore Tilton, a notable temperance orator and a well-read poet, respectively. In addition, she made two trips to New England, including lectures in Oxford, her hometown, Wooster, and New Haven. Wherever she traveled, Clara was treated with the warmest hospitality and attentive audiences. Throughout the lecture tours, Clara's most significant challenge was in responding to the many accolades directed her way. No one person who heard these lectures and knew of the real-life experiences Clara encountered could argue the merits of praising Clara for her accomplishments. However, Clara did not see it the same way. As we heard before, Clara believed the experiences she lived and the opportunity to share her stories were truly gifts from God. As 1868 ended and Clara was moving into a new home in Washington, she reflected upon the eight previous years which included her battlefield mission and many testimonies. She noted, I am not strong, but God is good and kind. Clara's reflection parallels the following Psalms 73. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. And in Philippians chapter 4, verse 13, I can do all things through him who strengthens me. It is not known whether at that time Clara sensed weakening health, but not long into 1869, at forty-seven years old, while beginning to offer a lecture to a full house, like an experience almost ten years ago while in Bordentown, Clara was unable to speak. Her condition was quickly diagnosed by her physician as nervous prostration. She was ordered to travel to Europe for three years of complete rest. It is this decision, made in the interest of Clara's health, that would open the doors for the next chapters of her most inspirational life. Many of us have likely heard if you want to make God laugh, tell him you have a plan. Throughout our lives, we have developed many plans. Whether for ourselves, our families, or in our professions, our plans were often based on a belief that what we knew about the situation at hand would remain the same or possibly improve. Even those plans that contemplated the unexpected were based on an understanding that the response to the unexpected was appropriate and could be executed. The real challenge may be to allow God to respond to our plan and be willing to go forward wherever his response might be. Whether it is a resounding yes or not so, I have a different plan for you. Upon her doctor's orders, Clara traveled to Europe in September 1869. Although she knew no one in Europe, she effectively navigated her way to Geneva, Switzerland, where she was to stay with a family of a friend, and where, with a letter of introduction from the Swiss minister to Washington, she was warmly welcomed and assisted by the American Council and Ambassador to Switzerland. Through this introduction and her relationship with Dr. Bellows, Barton rapidly increased her exposure to the people in the European community that had influence over establishing and expanding the international effort to care for others in need, especially during times of military conflict. While finding Geneva to be most appropriate for her recuperation, likely of more appeal to Barton was her engagement with the International Convention of Geneva, otherwise known as the Red Cross, which was established on 1865 in response to the International Treaty originally signed by 11 national governments, excluding the United States, on August 22, 1864. By 1867, the International Treaty and the existence of the Red Cross had been formally accepted by 25 distinct governments, still exclusive of the United States. In essence, the treaty provided not only for the medical care of combatants, regardless of their affiliation, just as Barton did during the Civil War, but also provided complete neutrality to all those entrusted with that care during the time of any conflict involving member governments. This neutrality extended to all the materials and supplies necessary to respond to those in needs. Already at that time, Switzerland had become the cornerstone of international neutrality and was geographically located amidst countries that would, over the next 100 years, and to some extent today, remain in conflicts that require execution of the spirit of the international treaty. Even the well-known Red Cross flag, present on the world's battlefields since the mid-1860s, reflects its Swiss roots in that the flag is simply the reverse of the colors of the Swiss flag. Eventually, Clara Barton would become the successful standard bearer of the Red Cross in America. As Clara continued her recovery, principally between Geneva and Bern, Switzerland, she nurtured her relationship with Dr. Louis Apia, one of the primary leaders behind the treaty. Through this relationship, when France declared war on Prussia, current day Germany, on July 15, 1870, Clara accepted an invitation to join a team of agents to join them on the battlefield. To no surprise, well short of the three-year recovery period ordered by her physician, Clara was in motion within three days. Clara's work during the Franco-Prussian War would take her to Basel, Strasbourg, Karlsruhe, Belfort, and Malhasen, among others. Of notable relevance is Clara's time in Karlsruhe, where she was the guest of the Grand Duke and Duchess of Baden, who had been made aware of Claire's work during the Civil War by the American Council to Prussia. Clara's friendship with the Grand Duchess Louise would quickly blossom and remain strong for 40 years. On September 28, 1870, Strasbourg fell to the Prussians, one year after Barton arrived in Europe. Within two days, Clara, along with her recently found companion, Antoinette Margot, was in Strasbourg assessing the needs of the people of that city. It was here that Clara made the realization that more than receiving charity in the form of food and clothing, which were undoubtedly needed and were provided to the extent possible, the greatest need of the people, especially the women and children, was to regain hope for their homes and their lives. Shortly, with the initial financial support of the Grand Duchess Louise, Clara and Antoinette had organized a workroom in which those able to work were assigned to support the assistance effort, however needed. Ultimately, with the support of Count Bismarck, the Governor General of Alsace, Clara organized several workrooms that provided much needed support well beyond Strasbourg. In large part, the workers made and distributed garments that were needed in the villages most affected by the military conflict. Each of the workers was paid a wage consistent with the work they were asked to perform. And as needed, they were able to exchange wages for clothes needed for themselves and their families. We will discuss this concept in a later episode in the context of Clara's next chapter of work in the United States. But the fundamental belief born in the workrooms of Strasbourg was that charity should be made available and given to those most in need to the fullest extent possible. However, the primary objective of that charity is to pave the path to recovery and restore confidence and hope. By directly engaging the woman of Strasbourg in the charitable effort of assisting others affected by the war, Clara reflects Paul's words in 2 Corinthians chapter 9. And God is able to provide you with every blessing and abundance. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity. This service you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people, but is also overflowing in expressions of thanks to God. Clara Barton maintained the workrooms and her commitments to the assistance of the victims of the Franco-Prussian War through early 1871 when the war ended. Concurrently, her health once again deteriorated. Clara retreated to London for another session of recuperation. During her time of recovery, she maintained frequent communication with parties back in America that had supported her efforts in France and Germany. These communications would prove to be helpful in setting the stage for her return to the United States in October 1873. While on her voyage back to the United States aboard the steamship Parthia, Clara recorded her thoughts as to the challenges of returning home and finding a place at which to continue her life's mission of helping others and her new mantle of bringing the Red Cross to America. These thoughts were set forth in her poem, Have ye room? In that poem, Clara noted, But health is of wisdom and strength is of God. And in the poem, repeats and closes the poem with, Have ye place, each beloved one, a place in your prayer? Have ye room, my dear countrymen, room for me there. History tells us that there was certainly room for Clara Barton in America, and more importantly, in the prayers of the American people. Scripture includes many references to homecomings. Two of the most notable returns home result in unexpected responses by those awaiting the return. In Luke 15, verse 24, the father of the prodigal son declares, notwithstanding his son's transgressions, for this son of mine was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found. And in Luke 4, chapter 24, in what may be the most ironic homecoming of all, upon returning to Nazareth and fulfilling the scripture and the reading from the prophet Isaiah, and before the leaders of the synagogue threaten to cast him from a cliff, Jesus acknowledges, I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. Returning home at the end of any long journey is often met with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. For most of us, the return home provides a level of comfort and routine. Sleeping in your own bed likely provides better rest. Enjoying dinner at the family table generally tastes better than what you might find on the road. Yet approaching the doorway after an extended absence might bring some concerns as to what we might find inside. If returning to an empty house, will we find all things in place or will we encounter a surprise such as a flooded basement? When returning to family, we'll we be warmly welcomed or will we be met with concerns and challenges of others that may have arisen while we were away. Hopefully, the safe return home marks the end of a well-spent journey and an opportunity to re-engage with the parts of our lives most important to us. Harriet Tubman lived essentially during the same period as Clara Barton. Known as Moses by many of the slaves she ref she freed via the Underground Railroad, Tubman was a deeply faithful woman who, like Barton, acknowledged God as the source of her strength. We will end this episode of Guided by Faith with words attributable to Harriet Tubman. I always told God, I'm going to hold steady on you, and I know you will see me through. And Lord, make me strong for this work. Amen.