In our evangelistic campaigns we have effectively used the song "How Betsy Ross Made the Flag" (Missionary Volunteer Songs, p. 175). This song, used in tableau, is fitting with any patriotic program, as a seasonal feature, or with the prophetic lecture on the United States —immediately preceding the sermon. Such a program is also of help near the beginning of a series of meetings, to avoid confusing us with religious sects which are unwilling to salute the flag.
We get a young lady to represent Betsy Ross, and she is dressed in suitable costume, which can usually be secured at a costume shop. She carries a large sewing basket filled with strips of red, white, and blue crepe paper, or cloth, and folded in the basket, a large American flag which will be used later in the tableau.
We also have a girl and a boy of similar height and age, the girl to dress in nurse's white uniform with Red Cross cap, and the boy to dress either as a soldier or as a sailor. If a Medical Cadet Corps is available, we invite them to assist, wearing their uniforms, and to march in and stand at attention on the platform at the beginning of the song. To complete the picture, the song leader, or soloist, may be dressed as George Washington.
George Washington enters the platform from the wing, accompanied by Betsy Ross and followed by the Red Cross nurse and the soldier. Soldier and nurse stand at attention facing the audience, about five feet apart; Betsy Ross sits in the chair near George Washington. As George Washington begins singing, Betsy Ross is sewing, but looks up as Washington addresses her in song during the first stanza. In the first chorus Betsy Ross lifts the strips of red, white, and blue crepe paper, and the large silver stars from her sewing basket.
At the beginning of the second stanza Betsy Ross rises from her chair with the folded flag and places one corner of the flag in the hand of the nurse and another corner in the hand of the soldier. They unfold the flag before the audience and hold it in position for the remainder of the song. Betsy Ross then stands directly behind the flag until the end of the song. As the flag is unfolded, the medical cadets, who are standing at one side of the platform, give a quick hand salute to the flag and remain at attention during the remainder of the song. (Commander of cadets may give command for the exact time of the salute.) As the second chorus is sung, George Washington lifts the strips of red, white, and blue crepe paper, and drops the silver stars from his hand as he sings.
On the third stanza of the song George Washington steps over beside Betsy Ross as he sings, and on the final chorus he clasps the free hand of the soldier and of the nurse, holding them high over the flag, and slowly emphasizes each word: "And hand in hand, as one we stand for the Red, White, and Blue." This stirring climax to the song is most effective, and usually brings the entire audience to their feet in tribute to the American flag. The spotlight can be focused on the flag while the other lights are dimmed.
Immediately following the tableau, we have a large group of church school children enter from the wing of the platform and sing in chorus, "God Bless America," or some other appropriate patriotic number for a final climax to this presentation.
