The Irish standard., 1917-12-15

second man had become so Indifferent
about his religion that he rather
boasted about it. He, too, has re-
turned to the fold, and is much hap
pier. Forty-siX others have followed
their example, and l expect many
more. And non-Catholic boys, too,
have forsaken their foolish indiffer-
ence and worse, and have returned to
the Church of their own choice.
"That, mother dear, is the story of
Father Gwyer, and story that can be
told by other chaplains, and l intend
to write a long letter in the near fu-
ture giving you detailed information
of the work which the chaplains and
the knights of Columbus organization
are doing toward the moral, intellec-
tual and spiritual uplift of the Camp
Meade soldiers. l am quite sure that
forty-eight men in one regiment re-
turning to their religious duties is
sufficient evidence to convince the
doubling Thomases that the Y. NJ. c..
A. and the knights OF Columbus are
real organizations, operated by and
for real men"
Hospital Work interesting.
Another phase Of this work which
is the subject OF much laudation at
present is that connected With the
days ago that a letter reached the
committee on war activities from a
gentleman living in an eastern city
whose nephew had been sent to a
camp in the South. In his letter this
gentleman has explained that he re-
ceived word that his nephew was sick,
but that no details were given. Wish
ing more details, he wired the Knights
of Columbus field secretary stationed
at that camp, asking him to ascertain
the exact condition of the young man,
who had been taken to the base hos
pital.
complete information came back
in an incredibly short time" the gen
tleman writes, "and I want to express
my gratitude for this service which
your organization is rendering. The
secretary probably did no more than
his duty, but he did it so promptly, so
thoroughly, that l believe he is de-
serving of special credit"
Sees Conditions at Battle Creek.
A visitor to the camp at Battle
Creek, Mich, was greatly impressed
with the work there, having been con-
Quoted through the hospital by Rev.
w. ]. Stephenson, G. S. ", formerly
of st. Viator's College, Kankakee, Ill.
Father Stephenson is especially we'll
fitted for his task, having served with
Massachusetts regiment during the
Spanish-American war, and later with
the Second U. S. Artillery.
The visitor describes the hospital as
he found it, and especially the alco-
holic ward, where those unfortunates
who, accustomed to great amount of
alcoholic stimulus every day, are now
suffering torments that it has been
taken away from them. 1t is here
that the chaplains are able to accom-
plish wonders, for no one better than
a Catholic priest knows how to soothe
mans nerves and to. prepare him
mentally for the struggle he must
make in overcoming a bad habit. The
work at Battle Creek is but a sample
of what is being done every place,
and the part which Father Stephenson
has taken in his work is no small part
of that great social work which this
entire war has brought into being. 1t
is proof enough that even the greatest
calamities have their good influences,
and it is impossible to say how many
men are going to prove their worth
and their ability to lead clean, useful
Fund Needs Assistance.
This is all within the scheme of the
work which the knights of Columbus
have undertaken and it is work OF
this kind that is being furthered by
the contributions Of those who are
giving of their means to the knights
of Columbus war fund, which is be-
ing raised in various parts of the
country This fund drive, by the way,
is progressing in satisfactory man.
ner and it is the earnest desire Of
those who are giving their time, and
attention to this work that the $4,000
900 goal will be reached in the short
est possible time. The money is bad
ly needed, new demands are arising
every day, and the progress of this
work must not be handicapped by
lack of funds.
To Stamp Tags.
AS a special aid for those Catholic
boys who may fall victims of the bull
lets of the enemy, the Knights of Co.
lumbus committee ON war activities
is seeing to it that every Identified
ton tag worn by the soldier is being
stamped with the words, "Send for a
priest" The tags are made of metal
and are furnished by the government.
On the diverse side appears the SOL
dier's name and military unit. The
Knights of Columbus committee is
furnishing each of its camp secre-
taries with stamp which will cut the
words, "Send for a priest" into the
reverse side of this government tag.