Servant of Others - The Red Cross Flies In America

The story continues with Clara’s return to the United States, her lengthy recuperation from various maladies, her unwavering efforts to bring America into the International Treaty, and the beginnings of what would become the most prominent humanitarian organization in the world.

Transcript

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I appreciate your continued interest in the life and accomplishments of Clara Barton. The fifth episode of Guided by Faith, Servant of Others, is subtitled The Red Cross Flies in America. The story continues with Clara's return to the United States, her lengthy recuperation from various maladies, her unwavering efforts to bring America into the international treaty, and the beginning of what would become one of the most prominent humanitarian organizations in the world. Thank you for accepting this invitation to listen. Although never one for receiving accolades, regardless of how deserving, when Clara Barton set foot back in America in October 1873, she proudly carried with her in war the jewel of the Red Cross, which was presented to her by Queen Natalie of Serbia. In addition, she was presented with the Iron Cross of Merit by the Emperor and Empress of Germany, and the Gold Cross of Remembrance presented by the Grand Duke and Duchess of Baden. Whereas the recognition from the European royalty was appreciated and certainly well deserved, it was the jewel of the Red Cross that would define Clara and provide her motivation and purpose for the next 40 years. Upon returning to America, Clara Barton's physical health deteriorated significantly. Her physicians were unable to make a clear diagnosis of any specific illness, nor were they able to prescribe any treatments other than complete rest. Accordingly, Clara left her home in Washington and returned to her family in New England. Unfortunately, upon her return to Oxford, she learned that her sister Sarah had died that morning. The emotional effect of this loss contributed to further deterioration in Clara's health. For the next two and a half years, Clara sought rest and recovery. None came quickly. Recalling her experiences while on her lecture tour following the Civil War, Clara sought advice from a friend as to the possibility of relocating to Dansville, New York, at which there was a sanitarium and other residences designed to assist those with ongoing physical conditions. Clara moved into the sanitarium in Dansville, New York on March 16, 1876. Dansville would become Clara's home for the next 10 years and ultimately would become the home of the first sanctioned local Red Cross chapter in the United States. By mid-1877, Clara's health had improved significantly, giving great hope to her vision of bringing the Red Cross to America. Acknowledging the source of her strength now regained, Clara reconnected with Grand Duchess Louise in a letter which included the following God has stood very near, my trust in him has never faltered, and my faith has never wavered nor changed. Clara's words are reflective of Isaiah forty, verses twenty nine through thirty one. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. From this point forward, Clara Barton would remain remarkably healthy, and her energy and commitment to cause would forever reflect a woman of a much younger age. Clara was openly grateful for the care and compassion of the staff and fellow residents at Dansville, and that she truly believed these contributed greatly to her recovery. Equally important to her recovery was the opportunity to begin in earnest the process of bringing the Red Cross to America, which provided hope well beyond any medication or recuperation. This hope was further inspired by the words offered to her during the Memorial Day celebration in Danesville in 1877. But everywhere, every man, every woman, every little child who needed help of loving aid or relief received these from you in full measure of your capacity to bestow. In building her case for the United States to accept the international treaty and enable the existence of the Red Cross in America, Clara did the necessary research to demonstrate what she was envisioning as well as what she and others, such as Florence Nightingale and Dorothex, accomplished during their respective missions, was not a novel idea by any means. Specifically, Clara identified that as early as the 1100 1200s, the Knights Hospitalers of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta were providing battlefield care to all during the crusades. Knowing that the efforts to convince the leaders in Washington of the merits of the international treaty and the Red Cross would require money and influence, Clara reconnected with two prominent European leaders whom she had befriended and gained mutual respect during her time in Europe. Specifically, Clara sought the financial, organizational, and intellectual support of Dr. Louis Apia and Monsieur Gustave Monier. Apia and Monier, two of the five original members of the International Committee of the Red Cross, both men of deep faith, offered uniquely different skills to the early efforts of the Red Cross. Dr. Apia, a physician, is credited with establishing the methods for execution of battlefield care of the wounded and dying. Monnier, a lawyer, spearheaded the organizational and structural framework of the early Red Cross, enabling its financial and legal wherewithal. In addition to their respective professions and the associated contributions to establishing the Red Cross, both men are believed to have been deeply committed to the Protestant reveil rooted in the 19th century. This religious movement called for practical charity, responsibility for the suffering, regardless of social standing, and voluntary organizations. Clearly, these men at the time of establishing the Red Cross in Europe, and later Clara Barton, in doing so in America, were committed to these principles, and that the core principles of the Red Cross were and still are today, impartiality, neutrality, and permanence. Scripture provides a clear call to action along these lines in Matthew 25, verse 40. The king will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Another notable parallel to scripture is the relevance of relationships to the success of one's mission. Among the many relationships noted in Scripture, possibly the most impactful as to the successful evangelization of the life of Christ was the relationship between Paul and Timothy. Acquainted with Paul during his missionary travels to Lystra, Timothy became a trusted recipient of some of Paul's most relevant messages. Paul confirms this in his letter to the Philippians. I have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know, Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. Philippians 2, verses 20 through 22. Relationships are essential to one's success. It is unlikely that any one of us has accomplished much without the help of others. Relationships founded on common beliefs and principles are often the most difficult to develop, but most likely the most valuable to both parties. Relationship and networking experts have said the most effective relationships, whether in business, communities, or other activities, are those in which the parties not only share a common objective, but are equally dedicated to the same principles. They also see the same beneficiary of that relationship, which in most cases is not either one of the parties in that relationship. Ask yourself, with whom are those relationships in your life? Like Paul, are you willing to testify to others of the importance of those relationships? With her health restored and the support of two of the iconic figures in Red Cross history, Clara Barton began one of the most impressive and unfortunately longest lobbying efforts in United States history. In 1878, five years after her return to America, Barton prepared and delivered a comprehensive communication on the merits of establishing the Red Cross in the United States to the American people and both houses of Congress. The foundational components of Clara Barton's vision for the American Red Cross were essentially the same as what we discussed earlier in relation to the International Red Cross, focused on the practical and cultural considerations of what she believed were essential to establishing the Red Cross in America, Barton set forth the guiding principles as follows centralization, preparation, impartiality, and solidarity. Throughout 1878 and into 1881, Clara Barton, for the most part, through lectures, pamphlets, and other broad-based communications available at that time, carried out an awareness campaign that gained broad support from the American public. Given the fact that the United States government remained relatively non-committal to the international treaty, that by this time was signed by or accepted by over 20 countries, Clara understood the most difficult part of the journey remained. Most impressive about Clara's lobbying effort is the roster of prominent U.S. government officials with whom she met with personally or communicated with directly, and how deftly and patiently she managed this experience, including facilitating communications between these officials and the international leadership in Geneva. The purpose of this work is not to recount the many sessions attended by Barton and the delays which she endured, of which there were many, but following the path to acknowledgement, approval, signing of the treaty, and acceptance by the international community provides testimony to the unmatched tenacity of one woman. Some key persons and dates along the path to success are as follows. On April 11, 1881, Clara met with Secretary of State James G. Blaine, pursuant to a letter to President Garfield from Gustave Monier on Clara's behalf, dated August 19, 1877. Shortly thereafter, she met with Secretary of War Robert T. Lincoln, the son of former President Lincoln. On June 9, 1881, President Garfield, in response to Sarah's request, Clara's request, acknowledged the establishment of the National Society of the Red Cross as a precursor to the signing of the International Treaty only three weeks prior to his assassination on July 1, 1881. On September 1881, President Arthur acknowledged the Red Cross and provided a recommendation of the signing of the International Treaty. On December 12, 1881, with Clara's encouragement, President Arthur's recommendation is accepted by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Three months later, on March 1, 1882, the United States signed the International Treaty. On June 9, 1882, that treaty was accepted and ultimately validated by the International Committee of the Red Cross on August 9, 1882. Seventeen years after the end of the Civil War, and nine years after Clara Barton returned to the United States, the substance of her work had been realized in the establishment of the American Red Cross, and Clara Barton's hope to forever aid others had been achieved. These words from Paul reflect what clearly had to be on Clara's mind as she navigated this critical journey. In Galatians 6, verse 9, Paul wrote, Let us not become weary in doing good. Upon reflection, from where do we get our motivation to persevere? Whether it is on a journey, a project, or simply life in general, there are frequently times when our ability to persevere is called upon. Unexpected obstacles, delays, or resistance from others can all contribute to a sense of frustration, reduced commitments to the cause, or in the most extreme circumstances, loss of hope. Possibly our greatest ability to persevere is when the purpose of our effort is doing good for someone else. One of the most perseverant women in American history was Dorothy Day. Born in 1897, Day converted to Catholicism in 1927 and in 1933, along with Peter Morin, founded the Catholic Worker Movement. Day and her work were and still are today a beacon of hope for the poor, homeless, hungry, and marginalized. Personally, I am privileged to serve on the board of Catholic Charities Twin Cities, for which the Dorothy Day Center is one of the cornerstone missions of that organization. Let us close this session of Guided by Faith with these words attributable to Dorothy Day. The greatest challenge of the day is how to bring about a revolution of the heart. Amen.