Article August 30, 1919 Issue

Extracts from Letters

"When I reflect upon my experiences as a member of the Expeditionary Forces in France, there comes into my thought this statement from Science and Health (p. 566): 'Stately Science pauses not, but moves before them, a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night, leading to divine heights.' The golden thread of divine guidance has been easily discernible to me throughout my experiences during the war.

"On the boat our accommodations were splendid and we had much time for study. I saw clearly the truth concerning all of God's ideas, namely, that God places each one of us in the place where we can give the most efficient service and express the most love. Consequently, after landing in a drenching rain, in a camp that was apparently all mud and no sunshine, I found myself with the opportunity to give of my talent and make others happier. This continued until we were moved farther inland. Instead of the box car, which is the usual transportation given troops, I found myself traveling first class through France. Our destination, Cour-Cheverny, reached, I found myself billeted in a barn with the rest of our detachment. We had to walk about a half mile for meals and formations, and considering that it rained constantly, and all was mud, the walk was not pleasant. But I refuted every lie that the material senses would attempt to claim as a verity, and as a result, one week later I was transferred to an organization where my duties were to do the very work that in civil life was my chosen occupation. I was indeed grateful and happy.

"Shortly after, I discovered that my present position would give me much leisure time, and to my great joy I found a Christian Science chaplain in the same town in which I was located. Here was my need met in truth. Through the kindness and generosity of the chaplain, we had Christian Science literature to read, a warm room in which to read and write, and our regular services on Wednesday and Sunday of each week. At these meetings we were each given the opportunity to act as Reader. Thus, we were improving our time and fitting ourselves to resume our respective positions in civil life, with enlarged understanding. I am indeed extremely grateful for Christian Science and the Christian Scientists who have made possible this blessing. We have all firmly resolved that our accomplishments in life, as Christian Scientists, will attest our real gratitude. For myself, I can only look into the future joyfully and remember the words of our Leader, 'I will follow and rejoice all the rugged way' (Poems, p. 14)."

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