The times., 1898-07-30
RELIGION III THE CAMPS.
The Christian Commission Makes an
Appeal for Funds


Unless one has made study of relig-
ious operations among the soldiers of the
army today, he will not appreciate the
extent and value of the work of the
Young Mems Christian Association, the
strength OF which lies in its practical
adaptability to the needs of the volun-
teers.
AS soon as war was declared, and be-
fore troops began to mobilize the organi-
cation began to take steps for Christian
work among the soldiers i'm the camps
and in the field. The international com
mittee of the associations took the matter
into consideration, appointed represent
ative committee, and called 1t the Army
and Navy Christian Commission. Before
the members were appointed. each was
consulted and everyone enthusiastically
expressed a willingness to serve on the
committee and support the work.
Secretaries W. b. Miliar and John f.
Moore. of the international committee.
were selected 10 look after the details of
| the work, and they have labored with
untiring energy until now hey have more
than fifty fully equipped association tents,
| some of which are at Tampa, Key West,
Mobile. Chckamauga, Falls Church. Dunn
Loring, and other places of encampment.
| Outfits have also been sent to Manila.
Santiago. and Porto Rico. Where regi-
mental lines are maintained tents are pro-
vided for each regiment but where ii can
be done. one large tent is so ereceed thai
ii can be used by two or more regiments.
Each tent is furnished so as to look like
a lyceum an ideal association room.
There are comfortable chairs in great
numbers; tables for reading and writing,
| books, papers. magazines. and games
| Either an organ or piano. bosh of which
seem 10 be highly appreciated by the boys
| who are musically inclined has been
! placed in each tent. Stationery in vast
/ quantities is furnished free Stamps are
on sale all the time and mail delivery is
/ main -ained in some cases. Express pack
| ages are received and carried TO the near
est stations to be forwarded, and in fact
every possible convenience Is furnished
| that can be offered TO the boys who are
| so far from home.
In Camp Alger there are about 2l,oo0
| soldiers and 1000 OF these have access to
| sorne one of the fourteen association tents
| in operation there. To conduct this work
| forty-three men, most Of whom have had
| experience in Association work, are emf
! ployed There are three evangelists Civ
| ing their entire time in conducting spe-
| cial meetings; there is also cne leader OF
| music. and one man who gives his entire
| time TO visiting the hospitals ard doing
! personal work among the sick
Contrary 10 the general opinion. the
! soldiers have shown themselves willing
| and ready 10 respond TO the appeals that
| have been made to them. and personal
| workers have been more than pleased
| with the results of the efforts they have
made.
The following figures will give an idea
! Of the work done at Camp Alger:
The total attendance ior twenty-eight days in
! June was ls4. TS6.
Letter sheets supplied soldiers free, over 2C10O1
Euyelopes ...................... 96,0j9
Attendance in gospel meetings 1s,il2
Numbef Of inquiFers. ers.-...--.--.-..-...... or
| Profrssed conversions ab1ut............ 100
Sessions Of Bible classes-...-.......--.. ~
Attendance at Bible classes. so
Number Of cnte1 1taiHmgnts, -....-........ 10
Number in attendanc e....-...---'-.'.' o''9'
Besides the religious meetings, the as
sociation has endeavored TO have one
entertainment every week in each of the
tents. AS far as possible the talent Is
secured from among the soldiers a
number Of entertainments have been fur
n.shed by people Of reputation from all
parts of the country. and Washington has
contributed some of its best talent. DIT.
Robert Nourse has given eight presenta-
tions of his lecture on DR. Jekell and
Mr. Hyde. AT present Mr.. Edward Tar
ring. from the New York Avenue Pres
byterian Church, is giving a series OF
photographic entertainments.
Wagon loads of magazines and other
literature, which are collected and pre-
pared mostly by the Christian Endeavor
Union OF this city. have been distributed.
The chaplains have, in every regiment
where tent has been erected, shown
hearty interest in the work.
| In almost every regiment the men have
shown a healthy interest in the plans.
IN some tents, Y NJ. c. a. organiza tions
| have been effected, and officers elected
by the men themselves. Quite a number
of Sunday schools. Christian Endeayor
Societies and the like have been organ
ized.
To carry on so great a work this
requires the expenditure OF vast
| amount of money, and the commission
finds itself facing the necessity of being
retarded at Camp Alger, unless the sup
port should be more generous than it has
been in the past. The Washington Asso-
citation has expended a great deal of the
tine of its officers. and has. assigned its
general secretary, Mr.. w. y. Multer, 10
Camp Aiger for the Summer. He has
been given general supervision of the
work there by the International commit
tee.
The Young Mems Christian Association
appeals to the people of Washington and
the churches to investigate the work, and
| decide whether it shall be continued with
} the present equipment, or whether il
shall be curtailed