The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-10-31
THE SOLDIERS RELIGION.

cEEKING 70 determine ~ religion, code o. moral standard, of the
y American soldier, extensive QUESTIONABLE, were submitted to the mem
bes OF the expediionary force The result has been deal, with somewhat
extensively BY the New York Tribune m . svo-page article N The Sol
dus Verdict Of What Sin L. Two set, Of ouesionnaires somewhat df-
irent, we're submitted, but the outstanding fact /, that the two worst sins,
according to our fighting men, are eowardies and 'elf'hne''. One list Of
answers added 'hnsine,' and boa,hune,a, while the other concluded with
hypocrisy d,lcyaly and meannesa But o the first two there was unanin-
~ Of agreement, and that may Be accepted a, the soldiers verdict
Many Of the ehaplatns who faced death with these men, are disposed
- consider the deduction Of the soldier, a' nearer the truth than their
religious teachers" who laid special 'ue, on dancing card playing, gambling
and similar regulations Of conduct While conduct need, certain regulation,
and habits are = factor In shaping character, such restrictions lack much
Of being important fundamentals Of religion The soldiers. In the main, had
only contempt for &, religion which could be summed up n such terms.
Now the war Is over and the army demobiired But the lessons OF
ne wsr still live In the mind, OF those who faced its hazards and endured
To hardshps The church need, the support Of those men. Their thought,
and code, ,s to SOM. extern. the idea. Of the youth Of Am.rie. when placed
10 q position where ssrous thought was inevitable They have sambed
with death, In . game where death won frequently A, nearly I, i, humanity
possible theirs Vas IN opportunity to zee the naked souls OF men, stripped
Of much Of the veneer and eamounass Of conventionslie' An exeelten.
position to visualize the good and bad and classify II n such
Surely the world needs lessons a un,eifishnes'. And courage n s-
smti,l In peace a. we'll - raj Such virtues cal have no abter advocate.
nan those who lived the code they gave their full approval. They are de-
mobiird now; d,organied O q compact force. But the church is still
organized for human beterment II need, the vriNty Of these young men
To get the< Il must meet them o. common ground. After al, the lessons
those men learned In the grim school Of war IRE not - different from those
the Master sought to teach. High courage In the fac. of death was His
Unself.hne.s to the point that He lived and died for others. Humility,
sincerity generosity and modesy all had their part In Hi, life. And a
world OF turmoil and selfshness needs those lessons today, including many
who hold membership In the churches.
1b. republican, .onsrs, h. failed di.mally N many t,mr. n Is
Nneshng to learn that Il admits failure on At least one imporan, issue The
carly return Of the railroads to private management has been urged by the
business, men Of the country II va. recommended by the president, and such
a transfer ha, an important bearing on national resdju,tment Yet after
berg in session for months, republican leaders now assert II will Be impossible
70 restore the railways 10 their owners In the time specified BY the president
80 his appeal Thi, failure 10 due In part Ito the time wasted in ude., effort
useless, a, least, save for political purposes
Consul Jenkins rie.ss eN tNOO 900 In Mexican money, nut having no
late report OF the value Of Carranla currency, we refrain from over excite
ment II cost $500 In Mexican paper TO buy 4 pair Of American shoe, in
Sonora not 20 long asa
O. l. Aurhn has bsa satns 70 much publicity that n, h l*.,y 10 be
Nndldats for public office
One o. ne Year, unsotvsd mystsmss continues 10 be IN, politics Of Gen
6ri John J Pershins
"
NJ ~ hobbis shnS MT satisfactorily it severn, month, without Ger
I'M opsn-
On Aoss asw ssmA 10 comfortable ~ to-day when h cost, rs 10 re.
tss them
he yosns hy saoss ths Wv r's - sasser that , rQur 'rksrfrm
y . dry country 10 "a anomaly.