South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-10
Asks Rev. GambeIt If He Isn't
Just a Bit Put Out Because
He Was Baked on
Revival.
DECLARES A RIOT WOULD
HAVE GREETED MINISTER
Says Men Who Do Not Care to
Attend Have Some Rights
Even If They Are
Soldiers.

Associated Press Service.
SAN ANTONIO, Tex, Dec g.
Major Gen Frederick Funston, COM
handing the department Of the south
tonight. replied 10 the Rev. ]. $.
Gambrelt, secretary of the executive
board of the Baptist general conven-.
ton, explaining the generals reason
for not permitting revivals in the
military camps here and along the
border. Numerous Baptist conven-
tiOns have adopted resolutions con-
demning what they understood to
have been the generals actions. and
suggestions were made that Pres't
Wilson, as commander in chief Of
the army, be asked TO take official
cogniZance Of the matter. A resolu-
ton asking for information on the
controversy also has been introduced
in congress.
Gen. Funston gave out copies OF
the letter 10 the press in which he
says in part:
From time TO time / have been
receiving copies of resolutions pass
ed by various Baptist bodies con-
demning my supposed stand rela-
tive TO holding religious services
among the troops on the border, and
also have received a number of very
unjust and in some cases abusive let
tiers from clergymen of the same
denomination. Incidentally, / nights
say that l have had more letters
approving nv stand than | have
criticising il.
Denomination Not Noticed.
This whole disa agreeable incident
with all OF its annoyance TO me. of
course. arises from the statement
made by you after your visit 20 the
headquarters a couple of months ago
in which you sought to obtain per-
mission 20 conduct a series Of re-
vivals in the border camps. You
stated your business to Col. Barnum,
chief Of staff If Col. Barnum stated
at that time what denomination you
belonged 10, il made no impression
on my mind. and if he had. it would
have made no difference whatever.
Il told that officer to explain 10
you fully that while religious SER
vices along the usual lines were con-
Quoted in the camps by chaplains
and other clergymen and were wei
come. / could not give my consent
TO the holding of revivals. therein,
giving the word. as / was justified in
doing. It's usually accepted meaning.
told Col. Barnum TO explain TO you
why revival services would be out of
place in a military camp citing the
disgraceful performance in San An
tonic last winter as an example Of
what revivals are apt 20 develop in
TO, and drawing 10 a certain extent
on a general knowledge as TO how re-
vivals or 'protracted' meetings, as
they are some times called. are
usually conducted.
soldier Not Lost"
Fl further instructed Col Barnum
20 say 20 YOU that I did not accept
in fact resented the implication that
because a man had put on his coun-
try's uniform. he was necessarily
lost. or worse than other men, that
thought there were people who
had stayed at home, who needed re-
vivals worse than the soldiers did
Under the circuTn stances you
can imagine my establishment when
I read your statements 10 the effect
that ! had said that / would not al
low the soldiers 10 be told that they
were lost. You must know as we'll
as l do that the doctrine that should
be preached to the men was never
once considered or mentioned and
with all due courtesy, / feel COM
PEELED 10 say that your making re-
peatedly the statements you are
quoted as making was absolutely in
eNcusable and did me a grave injus-
tice
The only time the word lost was
used by me was when I said that l
did not accept the view that because
man puts on his country's uniform
he was necessarily lost. I say
frankly that / would not want to
take chances on allowing "A series
OF revivals or prOtracted meetings
in these great camps. I am justified
in giving the word revival its usually
accepted meaning series of meet
ings continuing day and night for an
indefinite period with long exhorta-
tation and singing and much emo
tionalism. How about the
rights OF the men who do not want
20 attend revivals and who do not
wish 10 De disturbed by them? Are
they TO be compelled TO leave the
camp. which Is their home, and
wander about down town or through
Gelds TO get away from them? Has
a man no rights because he Is a sol
dier2 There are many religious peo-
pie who disapprove strongly OF re-
vivals with their attendant emotion
CONTINUED ON PAGE TWoJ