The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-11-12
.SPIR 7 u AL
DEF N S E
Committee:

Wilmington, Rev. HOyt Wood,
Elder Ed Davis.
In this defense article, thought
it would be a comfort especially
to mothers and fathers, as well as
others, to know how the boys are
thinking. Some people think or
have the idea that when our boys
60 to the army they are doomed
for a drinking and immoral life.
The majority of our boys do not
fall into this kind of life. I am
not trying to say. there are no
sins among our soldiers-there is
much need for improvement and
we should fight the drinking, the
immortality and everything else
around our camps that is evil.
Some echoes of what some of
our boys are doing and saying are
as follows:
About three days ago receiv-
ed a letter from a Major in
charge of troops in a camp in
Florida. The Major writes: II
met an Ashe county boy in my
camp and he told me he had a
New Testament which had been
given him. when he left West
Jefferson" Here is a boy that
hasn't forgotten his faith.
Some time ago one of the boys
on furlough told me, II still have
the New Testament and I have
just about read it through. I am
trusting God and going to do my
duty" This was Albert Bare, of
Wagner.
Here is an interesting letter
that was given to me by the Ed
itor of the Skyland Post to read
and I would like to copy all of it
for our readers. I am proud of
the boy who wrote this letter and
trust all young men going into
the army will read it and follow
it's advice.
| Dear Herbert:-
If you have to 60 to the army,
you do what they tell you and
don't disobey orders.
/ have not had any trouble yet.
If you 60, be a good soldier for
the U. S. Army, and a good SOL
dier for the Lord. Don't forget
to pray every night before you
60 to sleep, and read the Bible
and you will be a good soldier if
you pray and trust in the Lord.
He will take care of you.
This is my advice. Don't take
up bad habits. Don't drink and
gamble or go to shows or curse.
This is what I do. obey orders,
I read my Bible. Stay at camp.
I do not 60 to town and l pray
every night before I 90 to sleep.
If you do this you will get along
fine, and you will enjoy yourself
and if you never see me again on
this earth. we will meet in Hea-
ven, where we will part no
more. That is a home prepared
for all. Do not worry about me,
I am all o. K, for the Lord is
with me all the time. So be good
and take care of yourself, and
may God bless you till we meet
again. From your Brother,
/ J. w. Gentry
The above letter is from Pvt.
James w. Gentry, 341S8321, I'll
Station Hospital A. P. o. 924, CO
p. NJ, San Francisco, Cal.
A letter from Pvt. Clarence
Darnell says, Il am reading the
New Testament and doing the
best I can. The Officers are good
to u.s."
Pfc. Claude Harrington writes
often and remembers his church
by sending money to 60 into his
church's offerings. He also
writes of attending church in At
lanta, Ca, where he was in a hos
pital for many weeks after a
! wreck.
Next week, I will try to give
you other facts that show how
our boys are faring in a spiritual
way. I trust the parents and the
boys in service will not forget the
words of Pvt. Albert Bare, II
read my New Testament, I am
going to do my duty, and trust
Cod" These words form a good
motto for both parents and sold
! Ter.