The War Romance of the Salvation ArmyHill, Grace Livingston
History
The War Romance of the Salvation Army
Hill, Grace Livingston
World War, 1914-1918 -- War work -- Salvation Army
“In the trenches the boys become affected with body lice, known as
cooties. A good hot bath is the only real cure for them. While on the
way to a bath-house a Salvation Army worker overtook us. He was riding
in a Ford which had seen better days. The springs on it were about all
in and it made a noise like someone calling for mercy. The Salvation
Army worker pulled up in front of us and with a broad smile on his face
said: “Room for half a ton!” We did not need a second invitation and we
soon had poor Henry loaded down. I thought sure it would give out, but
the worker only laughed about it and kept on feeding the machine more
gas as we cheered until it started away with us.
“I want to tell you what the Salvation Army does for the moral side of
the soldier. The American soldier needs the guidance of God over here
more than he ever did in his whole life. Away from home and in a
foreign land in every corner, one must have Divine guidance to keep him
on the narrow path of life. If it was not for the _workers of God over
here the boys would gradually break away and then I’m afraid we would
not have the right kind of fighters to hold up our end_. Of course,
prayers alone won’t satisfy the appetite of the American soldier, and
the Salvation Army girls get around that by baking for the boys. They
believe in satisfying the cravings of the stomach as well as the
craving of the soul and mind. I always enjoy the sermons at the
Salvation Army. A good, every-day sermon is always appreciated. The
Salvation Army helps you along in their good old way, and they don’t
believe in preaching all day on what you should do and what you
shouldn’t do. The girls are a fine bunch of singers and their singing
is enjoyed very much by all of the boys. It is a treat to see an
American girl so close to the front and a still better treat to listen
to one sing.
“The Salvation Army does much good work in keeping the boys in the
right spirit so that they are glad to go back to the trenches when
their turn comes. There is no Salvation Army hut on this front. I often
wish there was one on every front. I believe the Salvation Army does
not get its full credit over in the States. Perhaps the people over
there do not understand the full meaning of the work it is doing over
here. I want the Salvation Army to know that it has all of the boys
over here back of it and we want to keep up the good work. We will go
through hell, if necessary, because we know the folks back home are
back of us. We want the Salvation Army to feel the same way. The _boys
over here are really back of it and we want you to continue your good
work_.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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