The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1898-06-17
Y. M. C. A. AND THE ARMY.
Mr.. james $. stearns Talks on Christian
Work in the Camps


James S. Stearns, an active worker in
the Young Mems Christian Association
of this city, is also deeply interested in
the association work among the soldiers.
He briefly reviewed the army work last
night at the prayer meeting in the South
Street Presbyterian Church. In the
course of his remarks Mr.. Stearns said:
My first visit was to Camp Voorhees,, Sea
Girt. There was then but one regiment
there, the Second New Jersey. The as
sociation tent was largely used by the
men for writing letters and reading.
Preaching and Christian Endeavor meet
ings were also held in the tent. Secre-
tary Fagg and his assistants were doing
a good work.
The other visit was made to Camp
Alger, Virginia. This camp is three
miles long. The headquarters are To-
Gated on the field of the second battle of
Bull Run, and the first battle of that
name was fought but a short distance
away. Old soldiers have many reminis-
cences of this place, which was calnped
over, first by one side and then by the
other.
There are eight large tents belonging
to the Y. M. G. A. in this camp, and re-
ligious services are carried Oh nightly.
No protracted meetings are possible, as
every man must be in his place at roll
call, at o'clock. But the meetings are
full of interest The one held in the
Twenty-second Kansas tent was very
earnest one, and there were about $50
present, with eight or nine testimonies.
This regiment has an association of its
own, and comprises about $50 college
men.
I have the reports of two days associa-
ton work in the camp. The largest one
gives the following details for June 8:
Total attendance during day, 5,00S;
number of letters written, 1865; attend
ance at gospel meeting, 800; number of
inquiries, IL; number personally dealt
with, II: attendance at Bible class, so;
attendance at entertainments, 1900.
The work is under the superintendent
of w. M. Multer, as general secretary,
and he is assisted by corps of compe-
tent consecrated men.
The need of this work cannot be ex-
aggerated. There are about 90 goo men
in the camp, a very large number of
them reckless and Goddess, while there
are many true Christians. Between the
two are those who could, perhaps, be
easily won for Christ The average
soldier, though he may be blasphemous
and ready to go into any excuses, is a
generous, and, in a worldly sense, a
whole-souled man, who will share his
last crust with you, and probably fight
for you, too. The association is endeav-
oring to reach these soldiers through
personal efforts, through the meeting
and by visits to the hospitals. The
providing of paper and envelopes and
games is great help, drawing the men
into the tents, and into contact with the
workers.
The commanding officers of the regi-
ments are finding the association a great
help, and. they have every reason to en-
courage it, and probably do SO.
In closing, Mr.. Stea9ns asked Chris
tians to remember the brave soldier boy,
who has gone out to fight for his and cur
country, and to provide the means of sus-
tanning the noble work Of the association
in completing and carrying on its organ
ization, so well begun, for the looking
after the spiritual welfare of the men.