Article June 29, 1918 Issue

Individual Distribution

BESS NALL SCHAEFFER

The interest that centers around the young men in our training camps, at home and abroad, is well-nigh immeasurable. To these men and to the others who will follow them in the camps a large portion of the world looks with the greatest hope and encouragement. Everything humanly possible is being done to equip our men materially for the great struggle in which they are expected to engage. A good deal is being done, too, to equip them spiritually for their duty. Through the ruling of the Postmaster-General of the United States, a great opportunity is offered individual Christian Scientists to aid in this spiritual equipment. It has been made so easy, by this ruling, to forward our periodicals that there is no excuse as to effort or expense which can be offered. For some time it has been a great source of joy to the writer, in looking through the testimonies in the Journal and Sentinel, to find some from soldiers and sailors who have served in the war and have felt the protection of even a measure of understanding of Christian Science under most difficult and dangerous circumstances. These testimonies cannot help being of great encouragement to other soldiers and sailors who may soon be called to go through similar experiences. They are the "Peace, be still," to any sense of fear or apprehension which may be entertained, even unconsciously, in the hearts of the men; for they are proof that the same protecting, guiding Principle, Love, is at the battle front for "those leaning on the sustaining infinite" (Science and Health, Pref., p. vii), as we have recourse to in time of trial within the shelter of our homes.

The writer wishes particularly to mention the appreciation of two young men in camp. Both the young men, one from our own home, the other a friend, had been benefited by Christian Science and were more or less interested. The one, while in our home, had read some of the literature, but had kept putting off a more serious study until there was more time, so busy did he feel himself to be with material pleasures. These young men enlisted in the Army, the friend going to the Houston camp and our relative, after rejection and subsequent draft, to Rockford. I wrote to both, inquiring if they would read Christian Science periodicals if sent to them, and each promptly answered that he would. Upon receipt of the first Sentinel I sent, the young man in Houston immediately expressed his appreciation, saying the paper had seemed especially good to him, and that as soon as he had opened it, a number of the boys had asked for it in turn. Our young man at Rockford writes that the boys are very appreciative of the Christian Science publications. When he has finished with a paper he places it on a table in his quarters so that the other boys who are interested may have access to it. He states that the Monitor is much in demand, that the other newspapers delivered there cost more than they do in the city, and that the average boys do not see newspapers frequently except in a more or less tattered condition.

The Monitor gives these soldier boys reliable and wholesome news from all over the world, and the manner in which are handled all subjects relating to the war—the subject so near the hearts of these men—is very helpful indeed; for they do not have to wade through columns of theories, speculation, and more or less unreliable reports, as well as masses of so-called news items in which they have absolutely no interest. For their spiritual comfort and encouragement they find the metaphysical article on the Home Forum page, which "leavens the lump" of the day's effort. Almost every letter tells of the appreciation of the Monitor and asks that I do not forget to send this paper. Under such circumstances, one does not need a reminder, for his own joy is so great because of this helpfulness of our literature.

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