World War, 1914-1918 -- War work -- Young Men's Christian Associations
Yes, these boys are making the great sacrifice for us. With 5,000,000
who have already been killed, with 10,000,000 of our own sons enrolled.
as subject to their call to the colors when needed, with hundreds of
American army camps at home and in France already crowded with men,
what sacrifice can we make for them? How can we surround their lives
with the best influences of home, that they may come back to us even
better men than when they went away?
We have seen the terrible ordeal to which they will be subjected at the
front, the temptations to which they are exposed in France, in the
training schools, and the base camps; we have seen something of the
havoc which demoralizing forces have already wrought in other armies in
the camps of the prodigals, and we have seen the deadly dangers and
perils, both physical and moral, which the soldier must face. We have
spoken of the enormous sums voted to carry on a great war of
destruction. Is there not a yet more urgent need that we should supply
the great constructive forces for fortifying the physical and moral
manhood of our nation? Two organizations have been recognized by our
own and the other allied governments in the war zone--the one bearing
the symbol of _the red cross_ for the wounded, and the other _the red
triangle_ for the fighting men.
The nation has already generously responded to the needs of the wounded
even before the first battle was fought, giving more in one week than
any other nation in a year for the same purpose. And not a dollar too
much has been given for this great cause. But we shall soon have
several millions of fighting men under arms. What are we to do for
these men? We have already seen that they present a threefold need.
There is the physical need of these millions who will soon be training,
fighting, and suffering. Only the men at the front know what it really
is. There are the mental and social requirements of men who must have
recreation, healthy amusement and occupation. There is also the moral
and spiritual need of men who will face the greatest temptations of
their lives, when they will be farthest from the help of home and
friends, while old standards seem to be submerged or swept away "for
the period of the war."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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