Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1919-01-23

or encouraging class differences, that
the church is vitality concerned about
the spiritual and temporal welfare.
To prove this, the church should
use its organizations and working
agencies to keep in touch with en-
ployers of labor and those looking
for work in an effort to be OF practi-
cal service during this period of eco
monte readjustment. Where con-
gregation is not organized in such a
! way as to be able to do this, special
committee should be appointed to
look after the matter.
In connection with the more gen
eral statements on the REIMBURSEMENT
questions, we are anxious to call your
attention to the relation of the chur'h
TO the returning soldiers and sail
ors in particular.
The men who volunteered for SER
vice in the army and navy and all
who answered the call of the nation
in the draft law have made great
sacrifices and have rendered mag
nificent service. This is true of the
more than 100000 who went over
seas, but it is also true of those who
went no fruther than the training
camps and environments at home And
do not forget the deep disappoint-
ment felt by some of those that had
90 stay at home.
1t is only natural and proper that
the communities from which these
men have gone will want to give
them a real welcome home and show
their appreciation OF what they have
done when they return. Ii there
should be any community that is not
awake to this opportunity. an effort
should be made to rouse them to a
realization of this duty. This ex.
preston of appreciation and graft
tude will no doubt take form in civic
Or community celebrations.
Our churches should be anxious to
take part in these celebrations and
assist civic and other organizations
in arranging proper receptions and
festivities in recognition of the re-
turning soldiers and sailors. This
is not only Of Importance in itself
but il is OF importance for the stand
ing OF the churches in the commun-
ity. And it is of especial import
ance for the future relation of the
church to these men. They not only
are. but they feel that they are a
part of our great American nation
and upon their return home they
must find that the church they ief
is also a vital part OF the same ma
ton and therefore genuinely inter
csted in its problems, sacrifices. ano
successes. Those who may have
gone away without any church con
nections should be made to see that
the churches are real and import
ant part Of the community they left
and to which they return. This
will be of the greatest importance
for the future work of the churches
But the churches must not be sat
isiied with taking part in general
plans and arrangements. They
must do more.
II is no doubt unnecessary to re-
mind you as pastor of the fact that
the returning men need and are en-
titled to the best direct and personal
pastoral interest and help that you
can give them. But perhaps you
may not have thought of the fact
that many of these men are coming
back ADLER and keener for service In
the church. Every effort should be
made to enlist or re-enlist them In
the various organizations and aotivi-
ties of the church. They will in
many cases become efficient and in
fluential leaders Many who went
away as boys are coming home as
strong men
In addition TO the personal work
of the pastor. every congregation
should have a committee TO take this
matter under advisement, to make
plans. and to see that they are car
ried out.
Their first duty should be to find
out as nearly as possible when and
how the men will return. This
information can generally be secured
by writing to the men on the honor
roll of the church This should be
done at once, as the men returning
from the camps at home should re
ceive the same attention as those
from overseas.
The committee should further be
lsure that representatives of the
church meet these men upon their
return. if possible. and visit the
homes OF the men TO rejoice with
them and their families
III some OF the men that went forth
from your church have made che su'
preme sacrifice, memorial services
with appropriate ceremonies of fast
endng the gold stars to the service
flag should be held. and public ser
vices OF thanksgiving for those that
do return and for what the forces OF
our nation have accomplished should
be arranged. At these services the
men themselves should also be
thanked publicly for what they have
willingly sacrificed, cheerfully endur
ed, and valiantly accomplished; they
should be presented with some per
manent token of the esteem and graf
itude of the church, as. for instance
a medallion. a printed or written
lgreeting suitable for preservation OF
framing. or the like. Perhaps the
medallion OF the National Lutheran