The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1919-01-23
LrTERs FROM THE
REV. W. A. MCINTYRE


by Well kwnon DANNY Clergyman
Eagle HUI,
Wednesday Of -Peaec" Week.
We a.ve been rcjoicing without
stir, or measure ever si-cc II o'clock
notday morning at which time the
nrva Of the acceptance wss released
On Monday until lsag pas; midnight
the fur was fest ami furious, but gen
uine, joyous, spontaneous, good-num-
orcd and decent Since then Il has
hesn forced, rough, roxdyish. and with
some III nature arr. much destructive
neas. The whole tewn has been alive
and alert Streets lighted. flags dying
and bells and koras. etc, "noising.
Il means 20 much TO the people here
that you over sherc can never really
appreciate. Just to be free from the
aoprehsnsion Of air raids and long dis
sanee bombing to say nothing Of pos
able invasion that just the first real
note OF cessation Of kostilities Is
enough to drive US all wild. There Is
a decided note OF colemnity with II all
too and great profound Thanksgiving
Today the King ard Queen passed the
Hut enroute To st. Paul's for a
had some great doing over there, too.
can Tell YOU more Of the celebration
Thanksgiving service. presume you
had some great doings over there, too.
I can tell you more Of the celebration
and the amusing incidents when |
come home. In ii all have had a
hard fight--for AZ hours, one OF the
hardest ! have had, but 1t is all over
now and | am quite myself once more.
Last week on Saturday night a cable
was handed me, calling me for immed-
late service in Russia--to sail not later
than the latter part of this present
week. AT first the thing did not par
ticularly appeal to me, but on investi-
cation and consideration, the urge OF
il became so strong that ! wanted to
yo. | think. more than have wanted
10 do anything or go anywhere since
first took up war work. The oppor-
tunity for service is so great and the
possibility Of growing into and fliiing
a big mans job there is so strong that
the temptation to go almost oyercame
my sense Of obligation to the Dandy
oeople and my family. You know how
for more years than you have known
me have loved the spirit of the Rus
sian people deapite all Of their crudi-
ties and their apparent barbarities. ]
have believed in the mate spirituality
in the intense desire to know the es-
sential truth OF things. And to be able
10 90 there under the direction of the
American Y. NJ. c. A., the only organ
ization or institution whose represen-
tatiyes have been asked or allowed 10
remain in Russia during all these
troublous times, to take up work not
merely for our 'boys" there or for the
Allied Forces there but to become al
real part Of the great work OF recon
s,ruction and rehabilitation in an at
tempt to save Russia for Christianity,
backed by III the prestige of the
American Y. NJ. c. A. and yet cut
loose from any red tape would be a
part any real man could not help but
feel too strong to resist. had the
thing working in my mind for 4S
hours and the more ] think of 1t the
more am sure not only that would
enjoy the work despite its isolation
and probable hardships but that J
could make good and make real place
in the new civilization which Russia
is 10 come TO, and 20 pass 1t by seems
TO be flying in the face of Providence.
Had only myself to consider should
not hesitate FIVE minutes in making
a decision. But am not able to make
II seem right to my family or TO tne
people OF Dandy to so into this work
without giving you all an opportunity
to consent to my going II had had
three weeks 10 think about It, should
have come home and then, i had
had one week should have made an
attempt TO get in touch with you and
reply from you by cable, but having to
made the decision Immediately, ] have
decided definitely TO follow the line OF
my conscience rather than the line OF
my inclination end Judgment and 10
refuse the call Just what will be the
next move cannot say. Just what
effec, my decision as to the Russian
proposition will have on my gong 10
France do not know. Secretaries are
still needed in France and will be Tor
a wear. whether ! shall be kept here,
allowed to 20 home, or sent to France
I do not know. Just when ! shall see
YOU canno, gay The situation here
4, the Hut us elsewhere all over the
world Is greatly altered by the eessa-
ton Of war. What the future OF Eagle