100 years ago in The Saratogian
Sunday, July 1, 1917
As millionaires and socialites flock into Saratoga Springs for the summer, patriotic services are held in many local churches in anticipation of Independence Day.
First Presbyterian Church hosts an interdenominational union service tonight, featuring a patriotic address by Rev. H. C. Colbrook of Gloversville. The Saratogian doesn’t detail what Colbrook has to say, but reports that his talk on “The National Crisis” aroused “great enthusiasm for America’s part in the war.”
The paper does report, however, that Colbrook, “expressed appreciation of the courtesy of The Saratogian on Saturday evening in publishing the words and music of the new song ‘Your Flag and My Flag,’ which was sung with great gusto by the prayer meeting choir.”
The song, printed with sheet music, was written by George O. Webster and J. H. Meredith. Its second verse is most relevant to wartime America.
“To your flag and my flag/ The red, white and blue/ Whose colors seem where’er they gleam/An emblem of the true/We pledge our love and loyalty/Our honor and our might/To keep this ensign of the free/The banner of the right.
The chorus goes: “Then hail to the flag! All hail to the flag! The ensign of the free/With its red for love and its white for law/And its blue for the hope that the fathers saw/Of a larger liberty/Of a larger liberty.”
At First Methodist Episcopal Church, a roll of honor is unveiled listing thirty parishioners currently serving with the flag.
“The likelihood is that this list is incomplete,” a reporter writes, “and before it is published anyone having information about ‘our boys’ in the service of the U.S. is requested to notify the pastor and also to furnish addresses if possible.”
Former state senator Edgar T. Brackett speaks during the morning service on “The causes of the world war and what we may do to help our country.” The Saratogian usually treats readers to Brackett’s orations in detail, but skips the opportunity this time.
Elsewhere in Saratoga County, Rev. E. A. McMaster of the Spa City’s Second Presbyterian Church delivers a “masterly address” at a union patriotic vesper service in Schuylerville.
“Mr. McMaster, deeply read and able to present truths strikingly, and with a dramatic force that demands the closest attention, held his audience as with rapid-fire energy he launched phrases that hit the mark,” a Schuylerville correspondent reports.
The speaker “dwelt on the history of Germany and her preparations for conquering the world, and America’s part in the warfare, for which she is first to send troops, then feed them, and finally conserve her food for more soldiers, as well as the allies.”