The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-07-01
THE ARDMOREITE
Rv w. T. Ellisl

situation. 1t is a condition, and not a
theory, which confronts them. So the
muddled minds of a few months since,
with their toying with pacifist theories,
have given way to a clear-cut accept
ance of the duty Of helping to arouse
the nation to the character OF the
present crisis.
If evidence be needed of the tense
loyalty and effectiveness of the church
es, ii is to be found in the sermons
that are preached week after week, all
tinged with the present conditions; In
the patriotic hymns which are sung at
every service by many churches; in the
flags which are almost universally dis
played in church auditoriums; and in
the special war work of the congrega-
tions themselves and of their subsidiary
organizations,
This new state Of mind is well Illus
trated by the action of Pennsylvania
Christian Endeavor union which at its
recent meeting called upon the socie-
ties TO report their membership and
other figures, and also to give as part
of their official report, which would
help determine their rating in the union,
the number of their young men men,
bers who have enlisted. The society
which had sent the largest group Of
its boys into the uniform of the nation
was roundly applauded by the congre-
cation present.
Honor Rolls for Recruits.
Following the fashion of Canadian
and British churches, many congrega'
tions are establishing, in plain view Of
the worshipers, "honor rolls" of their
members who are absent on the nations
service. II is made a distinction for
man to serve the flag. All such are
remembered in the public prayers Of
the pastor and they are carried on the
rolls Of the organizations to which they
belong. Letters and supplies are reg
ularly sent to the men in the service,
Thus the living touch between the
church al home and its representatives
in the army and navy is maintained.
Even in the sixties, the churches did
not 20 to the lengths that they have
now adopted in stirring up all forms OF
patriotism. 1t is a common thing to
hear preachers setting forth the claims
OF garden patriotism upon their men
bers and .rallying them to relieve the
food situation. At a conference oi
church workers 1t was frankly declared
that the greatest reliance Of the nation
! must be placed upon the pastors OF rrl
raj churches in setting their members
10 meet the food exigencies OF the sum
J mer. Ten thousand units Of the Kec
, Cross are being organized in the Pro
testant churches OF America, under th'
leadership of the Federal Council o'
: Churches. Even further hundreds o
pastors have gone in pleading from th'
! pulpit that their members should bui
. liberty bonds. as a proof of patriotism
( and as a service TO the cause Of right
b eousness to which the nation has com
mitted itself. Since the declaration o
war the ministry generally has foun'
e its voice and its feet, and its feet car
I act in no uncertain fashion.
: Practically every passenger ship tina
? nowadays sails on either ocean, from
an American port, carries workers 70
the Christian association service abroad
An unexpected phase OF this has bee'
the fact that some OF the best know
: leaders in American Professionalism, bot
e llaymen and ministers, have volunteers
; for this service. Clergymen themselve
In great numbers have gone into IN
= same work. Canada has already Sc
9 the example in this respect. The Y. N
C. A. men are doing Christian servic
u for the troops and prisoners not onl
in France. but also In Russia and MesC
potamia and Suez.
In all her history. the America
/ church has never manifested such 81
n licitude for the religious welfare
u men. BY the early action OF the lea'
= ers, and by the widespread publieit
g Of the case, churches have arouse
e themselves 10 save the enlisted boy
from the moral evils Of war. No so
diers ever donned uniforms with
- many efficient agencies looking out II
= their higher welfare. II Is this col
!, Germ for the boys that has put such
y stimulus behind the movement for
Il :, complete national prohibition OF n
y liquor business. The church seen
y willing TO 20 the limit now to driV
- liquor completely out. The call TO Il
colors is the last act needed to stine
up the fight for the contamination
\. the long temperance crusade.
= Mobilizing for Morality.
When an emergency meeting OF u
= = Federal Council OF Churches was r
: Gently called at Washington for the e
= press purpose OF considering the NOR
:, and religious aspects OF the war, mat
.r OF the strongest men In American Pr
testantism rallied 10 the occasion. TT
whole field was surveyed. In statesma
"A like fashion, and both great purpos
4. were avowed and detailed matters co
is sidered. Such apparently nonreligio'
IA matters as food supply were closely a
a. tended TO. The provision OF chaplain
II. In adequate number, for both army az
n. navy. was taken up Systematically, al
y the churches made themselves respo
"a sIble for the securing Of picked men 4
a. this difficult and important work. Your
Mems Christian association tents
huts VIII be provided for every brigai
in that is enlisted or sent into service.
"a fund OF three million dollars Is beii
,e raised for this purpose and the mon'
rs IS already coming In generously
I'm Britain the Y. NJ. c. a. has won nc
a. place and prestige entirely by It's wo
or for the soldiers. In this country q