The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-04-10
MAKES PLEA
FOR CLOSER
RELATIONS
Rev. DIR. Kslman Wants
u. S. and England
to Get Together

The Rev. John Kelman. associate
pastor OF the famous st. Georges
Free church. OF Edinburgh. Scotland.
who has labored for IS months
among the frst line troops OF the
British army In France. delivered
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 reconstruc-
tion." said Or. Kelman. Now IL
the time when we OF the two coun-
tries should look INTO each others
eyes and come to an understanding
OF lasting brotherhood II is time
when We must forges the unpleas-
antness that was born more than
100 years ago thru the follles and
wickedness OF the English courts.
II would not be presumptuous
enough TO tell you what you should
do or what you should not do. for
| know you will do what Ia right in
the eyes OF God. But I know there
is a great work ahead OF Us all. and
| want TO tell you what Great Britain
has already down IN that work"
The Edinburgh minister, in add.
ton TO enumerating Great Britain's
accomplishments in the war, recited
instances OF hls experiences among
the men on the front which brought
tears to the eyes OF some OF the
pastors.
1T is hard 10 tell OF the great op
pOrtunities 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 u IL not
best to go before them and preach
long sermons on involved subjects
When | speak to them, | speak In
their own language.
Il find il most inspiring 10 go ST.
lenuy among them. go into the
Y NJ. G. A. huts near the firing
lines, and light my pipe and stand
quietly al one side, Very soon one
will come forward, hesitatingly. al
most awkwardly | know what he
wants wait for him to say IT, He
merely wants a few words that will
bring him in touch with another
Spirit TO lean upon in the darkness.
a word from home. a reference TO
old faces. or few remarks that
viii instill him with the strength OF
the Lord. that Is what these brave
chaps need.
1t Ia a different thing. this task
OF preaching TO the men in the
trenches. When you realize that
some men out OF every one OF your
audiences win be killed within a
week. when you know that these
men are going out in the morning or
at night 10 face death. II makes, a
difference: II changes your soul.
Il spoke to 700 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 land OF
ndescribable desolatlon. Galvanized
iron huts were twisted like papers.
From projecting ends or steel or
wood or glass in the heaps OF debris
there hung tattered bits OF soldiers
uniforms.
II ran across a fresh-faced, boyish
sentry, who was shy, like a little
girl, but brave / knew he wanted
to talk TO me waited again He
suffered. and he stuck our his hand
I want TO thank you he falter.
ed. for the words you spoke last
Sunday. They have helped me stand
this.
We all al some time or other
have received letters or thanks from
those whom our sermons helped. I
would sooner have given up all the
have received In
the time OF my ministry rather than
lose that handclasp and the few
words FROM that sentry on the Brit
ish hrst line.
You can see for yourselves what
little kindness, what the word
Cod means TO these men who KIN
not az what hour they may BE-