The Detroit times., 1917-04-09
MAKES PLEA
FOR CLOSER
RELATIONS.

The Rev. John Kelman. associate
pastor OF the famous 81. George.
Free church, Of Edinburgh. Scotland
who has labored for 10 months
among the nrst line troops OF the
British army In France. delivered a
powerful plea before the Detroit
Pastors union Monday morning for
a closer bond OF union between the
United States and Great Britain
Now is the time for reconstrue-
ton" said Or. Kelman. Now r.
the time when we OF the two coun-
tries should hook into each others'
eyes and come to an understanding
OF lasting brotherhood II Is time
when We must forget the unpleas-
Rntness that was born more than
100 years ago thru the follies and
wickedness OF the English courts
Il would not be presumptuous
enough 20 tell you what you should
do or what you should not do. for
! know you will do what IL right in
the eyes OF God But I know there
IL a great work ahead OF ne all. and
I want 20 tell you what Great Britain
has already down in that work"
The Edinburgh minister. IN add
ton 10 enumerating Great Britain's
accomplishments in the war. recited
instances OF his experiences among
the men on the front which brought
tears 10 the eyes OF some OF the
pastors.
Il, is hard 20 tell OF the great op-
Dortunities for work that can be
done among these lonely. heartsore
chaps. many OF whom have never
been In land outside their own vii
lagos have learned that y IL not
best to go before them and preach
long sermons on involved subjects
When speak 70 them. speak In
their own language
Il find II most inspiring 70 go al
lently among them I 20 into the
y NJ. c. A huts near the hring
uines. and light my pipe and stand
quietly AZ one side Very soon one
will come forward. hesitatingly. al
most awkwardly. know what he
wants wait for him 20 say Il. He
merely wants a few words that will
bring him in touch with another
Spirit 90 lean upon in the darkness.
A word FROM home. a reference 20
old faces. or a few remarks that
viii instill hi mwith the strength OF
the Lord. that is what these brave
chaps need
1t IA different thing this task
OF preaching 20 the msn in the
trenches when you realize that
some men out OF every one Of your
audiences viii be killed within
week. when you know that these
men are going out In the morning or
AZ night 20 face death. II makes a
difference. IL changes your soul
Il spoke 20 TOO soldiers on sun
day evening. They were going out
In the morning. The next morning
there began one OF the most hellish
mortar commandments OF the war
and for three days those men stood
their ground On the fourth day
went among them-thru a land OF
indescribsble desolation. Galvanized
iron huts were twisted Ike papsrs.
From projecting ends 81 steel o.
wood or glass IN the heaps Of debris
there hung tattered bits % soldiers
uniforms
Il ran across fresh-rsced, boyish
sentry. who was shy, like little
girl. but brave | knew he wanted
10 talk 20 me waited again He
suffered. and he stuck out his hand
I want 20 thank you. he falter
ed. FOR the words you spoke last
Sunday. They have helped me stand
this.
We all AZ some tine or other
have received letters Of thanks from
those whom oar sermons helped
would sooner have given up all the
correspondence have received IN
the time Of my ministry rather than
lose that hsndclasp and the few
words from that sentry on the Brit
ish FIRST line.
You can see for yourselves what
little kindness. what the WORD
God means 20 these men who kn,
n"' az what hour they may 20
I kufoS-