Omaha daily bee., 1918-02-26
LOWE DESCRIBES
XMAS IN FRANCE
Omaha Minister Writes Inter
esting Letter Of Yuletide
Celebration in Quaint
Little Town.

Another interesting letter of his
experiences somewhere in France"
has been received by the congregation
of the First Methodist church from
Rev. Titus Lowe, former pastor OF
the church, who was granted leave of
absence so that he could go overseas.
The letter was read at the services
Sunday. 1t is as follows:
Just word about one side of our
Christmas festivities, which will, am
sure, have some interest to many OF
you. We had planned fine Christ
mas tree and treat for all the chill
dren and old folks OF the town of
IL. We had gone to some of the
larger cities some distance away and
had bought more than 400 presents,
ranging from dolls for babies to
warm woolen shawls and scarfs for
the old men and old women. The
tree looked perfectly lovely, decorated
with all kinds of fancy ornaments
and trinkets provided by the wise
Young Mems Christian association.
II acted as sort OF major domo,
the chaplain was the smiling godfather
to the whole occasion and the Cath
olic priest attached to that place by
the Knights Of Columbus was the
hearty and jovial interpreter. That
community had never known such a
Christmas. To make this occasion
so complete a success, the soldiers
had contributed more than $3.50 and
1t was managed by Methodist, an
Episcopalian and a Catholic. 1t is
entirely possible that the exigencies
of this war may break down many
Of the unnecessary barriers that now
divide Christian workers in the home
land.
"For some time now | have been
real circuit preacher, and my circuit
is a large one and my appointments
sometimes exceedingly difficult to
make. But up to this time neither
weather conditions nor health have
caused me to miss single appoint
ment. ! have been getting a rousing
and cheering reception, and have been
thoroughly enjoying the severe grind
of the work. ! am iecturing every
evening of the week except Sunday
Mostly ] am speaking on why Uncle
Sam finds himself in this dreadful
war. The boys seem wonderfully
interested, and when there are not
seats enough in the huts they stand
around uncomplainingly for the en-
tire hour. They have offered their
lives on the altar of patriotism, and
they know that any day the final price
may be demanded of them, and they
really want to know the great moral
and spiritual dynamic which drove us
into this cot flict. After the lecture
they hang around in groups dis
cussing different phases Of the whole
matter until the bugle calls to quar-
tiers.
Longs for Home.
II have personally talked to hun
dreds of them during the past week,
and there is but one sentiment domi-
mating all of them. 1t is about as
follows: ! wish this war was all over
and was back home with the folks,
but | would not have missed being
here for anything, and we've got to
see 1t through
On Sundays ] am preaching three
times. Last Sunday, for instance,
! drove through rain and slush and
ice in Ford delivery wagon to a
camp where new group was
gathered They had come from a far
western state and this was their first
chance for a religious service of any
kind. They were bit homesick, and
the weather was beastly and coughs
and colds were exceedingly prevalent.
But they turned out en- masse to the
service, packing the hut, including all
standing room. AS | looked over
them while they were singing, II
prayed that might be able to give
them a heartening word of cheer;
that's what ] tried to do, and we had
a warm mellowing time together.
What benedietion it is that God is
not by any walls confined In that
cheap, temporary hut that morning,
heaven came down our souls to greet
and glory crowned the Mercy Seat.
In the afternoon | drove through
more slush and mud to big hospital
where We have considerable num-
Der of our sick men. The size and
the equipment of that hospital would
be a surprise to you all. / held
short service, mostly of song, but
gave an address on the Presence of
Christ Unseen, But Wonderfully
Real. In the evening went to the
fine big new hut where | had lectured
the evening before. There was a
fine crowd and an inspiring song serv-
ice, notwithstanding the fact that I
had to play the piano. We sang
Brighten the Corner even if we diI
not have Homer Rodeheaver's wig
ardy, and just before spoke we sang
The Church in the Wildwood Then
| spoke on the Supremacy of the
Spirit
II made recent visit to another
OF our great hospitals. In this one
were number of the men who were
wounded in the first fight between our
men and tn, Boches. ! wish / had
time to tell you OF the talks | had
with many of the men, but it is i'm
possible. Let me simply say that the
spirit of the wounded is excellent,
and under the splendid surgical
treatment almost all of them are fast
rounding into first class shape again.
One poor fellow had his leg so bad