The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-05-26

with Its meeting OF various HOIHely
needs for. which no provision is
made by the army itself, is a re-
minder of the interest OF the home
folk, and of how their solicitude
follows the troops clear to the
trenches.
A Meeting Under the Guns.
This tireless layman had real
Pittsburg efficiency, for he provided
for evening meetings and entertain
ments for the men, whose need OF
diversion, after the reaction of battle
was overwhelming. | was present
at his first Sunday evening service, (,
and while | but dimly remember
some great occasions in cathedrals
and conventions, this meeting is
deeply engraved upon my memory.
Three or four miles away, in the
hills, the battle was raging noisily,
and we knew that the comrades OF
these men were fighting to the death
for the principles which led Amer
ica into this war. The booming OF
the big guns, every report of which
meant the launching of a missile OF
destruction interfered with the hear
ing of the speakers words. Near
at hand, there was another sound,
even more suggestive. For the ad-
joining building was being. used as a
morgue, and detail of men were at
work preparing for burial the bod
les of the Americans who lad fallen
in the earlier stages OF he action.
While some soldiers fulfilled the or.
fees of undertakers, another detail
was constructing the rough pine
coffins. SO the utteranccs OF the
speaker were punctuated by the
sound Of the hammers that were
busy in preparation for. the NOR
rows funerals.
The room itself was impressive
enough. 1t was only barracks,
lighted b y half a dozen candles.
Their feeble rays picked out the fea-
lures of the two or three hundred
men who crowded the building, as
in all postures and from strange
positions they turned eager faces to
the visitor, who talked to them OF
the meaning of the great service
they had been doing for America
and the world by their heroic fight
ing. The fire of patriotism burns
brightly in the unfagging spirits OF
these troops from the trenches, for
when given opportunity they utter
ed cheers for the president and the
country that for the moment null
lifted the sound of the big guns.
Later, when asked TO cheer for
the folks back home, they arose, and
spontaneously removing their head
gear, the steel helmets or the fatigue
caps, gave three rousing cheers for
the dear ones who have the hearts
of the American army in their keep
ing. The deed was so solemn and
moving that it was almost sacra-
mental. Even the singing of the /
national anthem which followed did |
not lift the feeling any higher, al
though the words took on new
when sung by these
particular men, on this occasion, Ill
this place
MY country, It's of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
OF thee | sing"
The Church by the Grave.
Into the trenches with the men
the church had gone, and by them
in their hour of relaxation it had
stood, as a minstering mother; but
here remained another Office for her
to fulfill. In this notable action
here had been numerous casualties.
Some Americans had paid the last
,ull measure of devotion. Though
hey had fallen, many of them sore
y mangled, out beyond the trenches,
n No Mans Land, their comrades
lad recovered their bodies, and ten
lerly borne them back to the regi-
mental headquarters. The remains
lad been carefully made ready for
nterment, in a plot of land bought
" the Americans.
No excitement OF battle could be
.llowed to stand in the way of a
ignihed, honorable funeral for the
allen. The chaplain has charge OF
IL matters pertaining to the dead,
nd in the services by the grave he
vas assisted by an Episcopal bishop,
he local Catholic priest, and by 4
Iatholic chaplain. All shared in
he one service, held in common
ver Catholic and Protestant alike.
There was no distinction made be-
ween "consecrated" and "unconse-
rated" ground the dead themselves
ad consecrated to eternal sanctity
his soil.
After the services, and the cover
lg of the coffin, S the village French L
,omen, simple folk in calico aprons. (
lanted flowers and evergreens on K
ne graves. The regiment itself had
cen represented by the comrads
the slain, and the great words OF
nth and Immortality spoken over
lie dead had been more impressive
ian any sermon.
There is a deep sense OF serious
ess, and even Of religion, underly-
Ig the life of the American army;
I'd this is never more apparent than
uring a battle such as the one
trough which we have been pass
o here IN fa- fair | or-aine