Editorial May 4, 1918 Issue

Camp Welfare Work

William P. McKenzie

Suppose that your home looks out on the western sea, and one day as the sun sinks in golden glory illumining the Pacific you learn that a young friend must soon leave his camp and take ship to cross the Atlantic, and wants to have "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" for his companion. You can convey to the local Camp Welfare committee your wish to supply this want, and the committee in the camp where your soldier or sailor friend is, being notified by mail or by wire, will within the day place in his hands a copy of the textbook. The generous contributions of Christian Scientists to the Camp Welfare fund have made this possible.

The Leader of the Christian Science movement, the author of its textbook, interpreted God not only as "the everlasting Father," but as Love, the divine Mother, ever present, giving the new term "Our Father-Mother God, all-harmonious" (Science and Health, p. 16), whereby to adore the Unchangeable. No one could know her without wondering at the all-inclusive tenderness of her motherly love and good will. At the time when her country was at war to secure liberty for the people of an island of the sea, Mrs. Eddy took occasion to say in a sermon (Christian Science versus Pantheism, p. 14): "In your peaceful homes remember our brave soldiers, whether in camp or in battle. Oh, may their love of country, and their faithful service thereof, be unto them life-preservers!" Many in the movement learned then and remember now the lesson she thus taught, and in the work they do, which is both metaphysical and practical, are bringing comfort to soldiers in camp and field.

In states or provinces there have been formed Camp Welfare committees whereby the work is organized. These committees in some states have buildings where men in uniform are made welcome, but everywhere friendly offices are being worked out for the comfort of the men and the relief from anxiety of their people at home,—friendly offices which we have not space to describe. The work of distribution of The Christian Science Monitor may be cited as an example of the provision of worth while reading matter. If the committees find misunderstanding on the part of an officer, the international newspaper itself is the best argument in its own favor. "The great verities of existence are never excluded by falsity," Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 543). Again and again this has been proved by the workers negatively, in the disappearing of prejudice, and positively, in the gaining of official approbation for regular delivery of the Monitor to those desiring to read it. As its every issue brings the elucidation of Principle in some way, it encourages the courageous, and confirms the right thinking man, but also opens the door of hope to the hitherto unprincipled man who in his heart yet wants to know God. In what way can anyone best express good will to another? We may find a clue to an answer from a young soldier, who, with a crowd of friends, had listened to a fine entertainment provided for those in camp. Some one asked for a vote or expression of thanks for the entertainers, and he in speaking did give thanks and express appreciation, but went on to say quite honestly that entertainment was not what they wanted just then. They did not want help to pass the time away, but wanted some one to use the time to tell them about God. They found themselves thinking much about life and about God and wanted to know what to believe.

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