Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-19
THE GOSPEL In CAMP.
THE Y. ". G. A. DOING EFFECTIVE
WORK IN THE ARMY.
SOMETHING ABOUT THEIR PLANS.
Tho Great Undertaking to he Under
the Direction OF the international
Richmond Asked to Help.


men Of this country would be called out
for service under the Star Spangled Ban
ner." in the cause Of freedom. one OF the
first questions that arose was that Of
providing proper facilities for the boys
that had left their homes. At the very
best, the life Of the average young man
IS beset with temptations. and especially
is II go with those who have gone forth
to war.
When Camp Lee was located at Rich
mond, the State Executive Committee of
the Young Mems Christian Association
promptly erected tent on the grounds
and provided for the hundreds Of soldiers.
not only helpful reading matter and
amusements, but also furnished corre-
spondence paper and supplies TO the young
men. In addition to this good work, the
officers of the association had numerous
opportunities for counselling and advising
with young men at a time when they
were peculiarly susceptible to such in
fiuence. During the three weeks that
the camp was here, over one hundred
men professed faith in Jesus Christ as
their Saviour, and this work will go down
into history as a most helpful one.
TO CARRY THE WORK ON.
Now that hundreds Of the sons Of the
Old Dominion have gone to other encamp-
ments, and are not only away from home,
but from their own State, the question
of their welfare becomes a most important
one.
At meeting Of the Board Of Directors
of the Richmond Association, held on
Tuesday night, General-Secretary Mckee
made a full statement concerning the
work accomplished at tho Virginia en-
campments. and also Of that reported at
the National General Secretaries Confer
ence, held at Winona Lake. Indiana, and
so deeply were the directors impressed
with the opportunities Of this work that
II was then and Their decided to appoint
an army committee Of three. and to inau-
gurate a movement looking towards as
sisting the International Committee in the
greater work they have undertaken.
At each of the national encampments,
this committee has its large tents, where
the privileges such az were provided by
the Virginia Association. are maintained
for the soldier boys. Not only has this
secretaries, with other association work.
ers assisting. have gone forth to these
camps, and are spending their entire time
in doing all possible for the betterment
Of the soldier boys In both their temporal
and spiritual life.
While the work at the encampment has
been placed. with the consent OF the
government, under the auspices OF the
Army Christian Commission, which Is
practically the Young Mems Christian
Association, they desire il to be dis
tinctly understood that this work Is be-
ing done I'm harmony with, and upon the
approval of, the chaplains Of the United
States army and it Is upon the broadest
possible basis.
HELP THE GENERAL COMMITTEE
These association tents are gladly given
TO the chaplains for service, and in New
York, during tho State camp, not only
did the different evangelical denomina-
tons have the use OF same, but the Cath
Ole priests held service therein for the
young men of that faith. Now, that the
men have gone from the different States
to the national encampments, 1t Is OF
the utmost Importance that this work
be continued, and 1t has been thought
best by the State and local organiza-
tons TO turn 1t over entirely to the inter
lldllODdl OulCf, anu Ut the same llllltt
DO all in their power TO help raise the
amount needed for the work, also supply
the workers.
1t is estimated that $1,000 will be
needed for the next six months. This,
to some may seem a large amount, but
when it is recalled that not only must a
large number Of tents be maintained, re-
curing a goodly number of men to give
their full time and providing the differ
ent advantages, it will DO readily seen
that 5000 a month is not large sum.
In quite a number Of tents alone 1t re-
quires from So to $40 a day for cores
pondence paper furnished the men, to
say nothing of the other expenses.
Needy men are supplied with postage,
and every help possible extended.
The Army Com@ittee OF the Richmond
Association, composed Of Mr.. r. NJ.
Smith. Mr.. W. j. Whitehurst and Gene
raj Secretary Mckee. are cooperating
with the State Committee In assisting
the International Committee 10 raise the
required amount The Board of Direc- |
tors of the Richmond Association have
appropriated S25 to start the fund, and the |
committee very earnestly request all |
who are interested in this great work, |
and who are willing TO contribute, TO
send in their amounts to Mr.. w. J. White |
hurst, treasurer OF the Army Committee |
care the association building. The |
received will be promptly |
forwarded to the national headquarters. |
The Army Committee will send communi-
cations to the different churches of Rich !
mond, and 1t is hoped there will be a |
very prompt response to this call. 1t is |
hoped that this time that the committee |
can send at least $500 toward the great |
need. The good people OF this city will |
int aH in Of boI
news that has been received from the |
different camps, and which in and of |
itself conveys but a faint idea of what |
is being accomplished
REPORTS FROM STATE CAMPS.
Al Camp Lee, Richmond: For TWEEN
ty-four days this place of resort was |
maintained under Christian influences;
The men used 10000 sheets of writing pa
per and 2o,GO0 envelopes. The games
were in constant use. Hundreds avail
ed themselves of the privileges OF the
iaily papers and magazines; twenty-four
religious meetings were held. many peo-
pie being forced to stand. One hundred
Ind eighteen young men publicly accept
ed Christ and scores OF Christian young
men were strengthened"
eneral-Secretary Mccoy. OF San Fran
,isco, Cal, says: 1--WE have three large
ents at the camp and the work is mar
gelous. We are planning to send the
men and tent TO the Philippines with
he third expedition. In an interview
With General Merritt yesterday. he gave
,ur army work the most unqualified APP
,roval. We now have above 1900 SOL
liers here"
Chaplain n. r. Stahl, of the Thirteenth
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, in
peaking Of the work, said "On the eve
# our breaking camp l wish to be per-
nitted 10 say that l can hardly find