The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-10-27

The administrative committee OF
the Federal Council OF Churches
oi Christ OF Ardmore, has issued in
the Federal Council bulletin the re-
port OF Doctor Chas. $. Maciar.
uand, commissioner to France, at
tractively illustrated.
Doctor Macfarland reports wide
visitation TO all OF the Protestant
organizations and institutions in
France, in connection with which
large public meetings were held in
cities and towns over the entire
country. He held conferences with
all OF the religious bodies.
His visit aroused wide civic in
terest, expressed through recep-
tons by mayors, projects and coun-
ellis, and especially in several towns
by school children.
The public meetings were gener-
ally community gatherings. These
included an outdoor gathering in
the old Huguenot Desert. at which
Dr. Macfarland spoke from one n'
the ancient portable pulpits which
the prosecuted Iluguenots used to
Icarry out there in sections.
National interest was expressed
widely through the press. One OF
'1he leading papers SAID OF the mes
sages from the federal council
"TheSe sheets OF paper in black and
while are worth many guns and
rifles and many young men coming
ITO reinforce our lines. The material
mobilization OF this immense people
: is moved by high ideal which the
harbarians cannot understand but
have to acknowledge. Against the
enemy's desperate blows we ought
to hold on during these weeks which
will decide our superiority over
them"
Dinners and luncheons by mem
gberS OF the House Of Deputies, may
!ors and industrial leaders were given
tin honor OF Doctor Macfarland. In
tsome cases the audiences consisted
tentirely OF workingmen.
Doctor Macfarland spent consid-
1erable time serving as volunteer
Achaplain with the French Army,
.meeting NJ. Clemenceau, Marshal
EFoch and many other OF the French
generals. Religious services were
held all along the front, including
"a signally impressive one in the Cit
.adel of Verdun.
The French government indicated
its interest by making the federal
council commissioner its guest, pro
viding him with full facilities and
sending its representatives to the
various public meetings.
The visit with the Belgian army
is interestingly set forth. lie had
visit with King Albert and met
with several OF the Belgian chap
lains.
Conferences were held with the
Boy Scout organizations in France
and the report recommends several
important movements looking to-
ward the internationaization of the
scout movement
The French Protestant Federation
sent back a dignified and beautiful
/ " expressed message to the Ameri-
can churches.
Considerable space in the report
is given to the American Army IN
I France. OF General Pershing, Doc
tor Maciarland says; His char
acter and personality, his simple ana
genuine religious life, his example
and words, have set great moral and
spiritual ideals before our officers
and army. While it is true that our
men are exposed to the unusual and
severe temptations and the moral
uerils incident to lie away from
their homes. there is such alliance
between the military forces and the
associated agencies Tor their moral
and religious help that the moral
character OF the men is higher than
in our ordinary civic life at home
and. believe, may be said to be
constantly improving
The chief difficulties arc reported
as encountered at certain ports OF
embarkabtion and in camps in the
larger cities and towns, in many of
these cases the situation being de-
plorable. The opinion is expressed
that it should be taken up jointly by
the military and civil authorities IN
the place.
The y. NJ. c. A. is described as a
marvel OF administration; the Y. w.
C. A. as doing its army work with
wisdom and effectiveness the Red
Cross as ministering to our boys i'll
the very spirit OF Jesus; and the Sal
walton Army workers are highly
praised for their unselfishness, brav-
cry and modest, quiet efficiency.
The army chaplains are said to do
us credit, to stand infinitely higher
in the army than ever before, with
their influence constantly increas-
ing. The very greatest care is, how
ever, urged on the Councils and the
denominational committees in Sc
lecting the men. The chaplainS are
working under great difficultie"
through lack OF adequate equipment
and OF transportation facilities and
they are said to be entirely made
qate in number.
Senior Chaplain Brent sent a mes
sage to the War Time Commission
in which he says: 1--WE beg OF you