The morning news., 1898-07-12
TO FORM AN AUXILIARY.
Savannah Ladies to Aid Christian
Commission in Army WOrks

Commission in Army WOrLa
The first of a series of weekly prayer
meetings for the soldiers was held yester-
day afternoon at the residence of Mrs.
Dougan on the Park Extension Owing to
the inclement weather the attendance was
small, but the meeting was full of inter-
est. Mr.. S. Watens McGin state secre-
tary of the Young Mems Christian AS
sociation, was present, and made a most
interesting and instructive address. He
has just returned from Chickamauga, and
he gave the ladies an encouraging account
Of the great work that is being done for
the spiritual interests of the soldiers in
the camp
Mr.. McGll said that when the call came
from the President for volunteers an op-
portunity was presented to the various
young peoples societies and church organ
izations for doing Christian work in the
state and national camps. After consul
tation the Army Christian Commission
was formed, which represents union ef-
fort for all Christian people in behalf of
the soldiers, and the Young Mems Chris
tian Association was selected as the or
ganization best adapted to undertake the
work.
Much of the work undertaken in behalf
of the soldiers has been unfruitful, 6nd
some of the efforts very unwise. Boxes
and packages sent to the soldiers very
frequently fail to reach the one they are
intended for, on account of military regu-
lations. Money is sometimes sent TO SOL
diers, and in many instances proves harm
full instead of helpful.
The work undertaken by the Army
Christian Commission is to provide Y. NJ.
C. A. tents where the men may congregate.
To these tents packages may be sent for
individual soldiers. Each tent Is equipped
with tables and chairs, pens and ink and
writing paper which is furnished free,
reading matter, books, papers ana maga-
zines.
The physical wants of the men are min
istered to in every way possible, particu-
larly valuable is this department to young
men who are unwell, but not sick enough
10 be sent 10 the hospital. Light lunches
are served and delicacies provided for the
men under the direction of the army sur
geon. Free ice water is being furnished,
and In some Instances it has resulted in
the doing away with the "canteen.
The temptations which surround these
men are great. The evils of camp life can
not be realized unless seen py tne lnul-
yidual The iniquitous canteen is proving
a deadly evil, gambling as rampant, even
women infest the camps in droves.
while the DEVILS work seems increas-
ing" Mr. McGill said "the hand of the
Lord has been with US in our work. Cos
pei meetings are being held nightly at the
association tents. 1 have never seen men
so serious and so eager for the Gospel
message The best preachers an the land
are with us, and marvellous results are be-
ing attained. In the tent which is in
charge of Mr.. H. NJ. Johnson, secretary
of Savannah association, 11S young men
have become Christians. A similar work
of grace Is being conducted in twenty
of grace is being conducted in twenty-one
other tents at Chickamauga, fourteen at
Tampa, eighteen at Washington and sew
eral at San Francisco. One of the en-
couraging features of the work is the fact
that It is officially endorsed by Gen. Miles
and Secretary Alger, and the same thing
is true of the work in the navy, which
has the Endorsement of Secretary Long.
Men and equipment FOR Y. NJ. G. "A.
work have been sent to Manila and to
Santiago and two men with outfit for
Christian work are ready to go with troops
to Porto Rico"
AT the close of Mr.. McGills address the
ladies' were 80 impressed that they resolv-
ed to form a ladies' auxiliary to the Chris
tan commission of the army and navy.
To this end a meeting will be held at the
Y M. c. A. rooms Wednesday morning
at 10 o'clock to effect a permanent organ
ization.