Article August 14, 1920 ISSUE

Distinguished Service Order

FLORENCE BOSWELL

THESE words convey a world of meaning in human experience; they stand for a military decoration given for prompt action taken oblivious of personal safety; for a recognition of achievement, of victory. Two pictures present themselves to me: A young man in command of a company of men, who, having taken part in a reconnaissance in force and taken possession of one of the enemy's trenches, when the counterattack developed and the time came for retiring saw that all his men were out of the trench before he was, and after successfully repulsing the first attack of the enemy sprinted back to the lines, taking advantage of any available cover, and safely rejoined his men.

Another picture: A young officer patiently training men year in and year out, keeping up their enthusiasm in their work and imparting it, in spite of all difficulties; and then straightening the line, and unfailingly giving in dispatches to his general. What was their distinguished service which entitled them to the D. S. O.? They, like many, many others, had simply done what to them was the obvious, most natural thing in the world to do; they had put the safety of their fellow men before their own, just as Christian Scientists are doing all the world over. They had no sense of disappointment at not getting a decoration, because it had never entered into their thought, and therefore the world's recognition or lack of it could neither give them anything nor take anything away. The brotherhood of man was so much a part of their daily life that "my safety" and "thy safety" were one, and that Christ-sense had stilled every suggestion of self-preservation at another's expense. Is not this, too, the "way of the Lord" in Christian Science—the way of preparation for the D. S. O. of Spirit, the "Well done, thou good and faithful servant . . . enter thou into the joy of thy lord"?

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