Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-02
TELLS PARISHIoNERS THEY
 DO PATRIOTIC SERVICE

At the morning service at Christ Episcopal church on Sunday, which was the last Sunday on which the church will hold services in its own building before uniting with Trinity church for the winter, by reason of conservation under war conditions, Rev. R. R, Graham took occasion in his sermon to call to the attention of his parishioners that it was a right and wise and patriotic thing to do, although all felt regret at the sever ance of old associations connected with their own church edifce.
 How shall we as churchmen, he asked, aid the country, our army and our navy in the struggle?
 The preacher answered the ques- ton by reading the letter which Gen. Pershing sent in response to a greet ing delivered to him by Rev. Dr. Me Farland in Europe as a messenger from the federal council of churches of Christ in America; it was as follows:
 Tn the name of the American army in France as well as in my own name. I thank you for your kiknixdk and stimulating message. It is the consei- ousness that the soldier has behind him an undivided nation which ena- bles him. whatever his rank may be, to face his task with courage. We Americans have the added inspifa- tion and encouragement that flows from the exampe and friendship of our allies, who for four years have been fighting our battles in fighting their own. Standing by their side we ex- pect not only to vindicate the com 1 mon cause of justice and hcnor and | righteousness. but also to lay a solid foundation for world peace.
 We dare not claim that, as an army, we have vet achieved that high standard of manhood and conduct up- on which the largest human effective ness should be built; but the ideal of the nation and the churches is con- | firm purpose we set eilr faces towards | the goal. After all it is acommon fight yours there and ours here. What is necessary for the manhood of the sol | tlier is necessary for the manhood of | the citizen. The powerful resources of | the nation, which have been placed l ungrudgingly at rhe disposition of the | army are indispensable for the ac- 1 eomplishment of our duty. But we 1 know that mere wealth of material resources or even of technical skill will not suffice. The invincible and 1 uncenquerah1e force let loose by the prayers and hopes and ideals oi i Christian America, of which you are | representative, are incaleulable. Ii 1 furnishes the soul and motive for the 1 military body and it's operations. | | steadies us to resist manfully those
 temptations which asail us in the Fx- traordinary conditions of life in whicl
 we find ourselves. Your message ot l loyalty to us draws this reciproea
 message of loyalty to you. We of tht army think with gratitude and emo tion of the unaagging service an(
 wonderful trust in us of the eilurche:
 at home. May we prove ourselve:
 worthy of it.
 | JOHN J. PERSHING.
 France, Aug. IS, 1918.
 Rev. MT. Graham said that he want
 ed it to be an actual fact as far as thu
 people of Christ church were concern
 ed that the prayers of the parisl
 would be with the men fighting unde
 he flag Whether the closing of tn
 church is going to help or injure de
 pends on the spirit If it involve
 certain difficulties in the parish life let these be stimulus to greater ef
 fort. Be faithful in attendance, ear
 nest in prayers, constant in loyalty
 and you will come back to your churcl
 home with a deeper affection, stronge attachment and purer devotion tha, ever before.