have the school sing "The Red, White and Blue," or have the song sung
as a solo or played by orchestra, pianist or organist. This makes a
very effective feature, as some time is required to draw the flag. Be
careful to construct the flag properly. To save time, use only
thirteen stars.]

[Illustration: Fig. 27]

"Why did the boys in blue rally round this flag? It was not because of
its beauty, even though we think it the handsomest flag in all the
world; it was not because it was made of valuable materials. No--it
was because it stood for something--for liberty, for unity. And they
knew that in order to uphold the principles for which it stood they
must cling together and fight manfully. Each might fight bravely by
himself, but disaster would come unless they worked together and in
harmony.

"We, today, are like the boys in blue in the dark days of the war.
We, too, have a flag which we love dearly--the banner of the cross.

[While you draw the conquest flag, use the song "The Banner of the
Cross" in the same manner as before. When completed your drawing will
resemble Fig. 28. Use blue for the body of the flag and red for the
cross.]

[Illustration: Fig. 28]

"This is the banner round which our school rallies today. We have come
together once more to strengthen our army of boys and girls to fight
against wrong. And our littlest fighters are the best fighters we
have. Why? Because it is a warfare that never ends and the little ones
have many more years in which to fight than the older ones have. And,
strangest of all, the weapons most effective are kindness, love,
prayer and steadfastness--these will drive away the great enemy of us
all--sin. The boys in blue rallied around their flag because it
represents our country, the land we love so well. We rally around this
flag because it represents everything that is best here on earth and
in heaven. Let us be loyal to these two beautiful banners. We cannot
be true to one without being true to the other.

"Let us make this school year the best we ever knew. We can do it if
we will be true to everything for which these two flags stand--the red
for love, the white for purity and the blue for loyalty."

[It is suggested that the pupils be presented with small American and
conquest flags as souvenirs. These are inexpensive and may be procured
from Sunday school supply houses. Celluloid buttons, displaying the
two flags, would be acceptable souvenirs of the day.]

TH