soldier never
does--and why should he? There is nothing new about it, for it is as old
as the early days of Christianity, only the gospel of the 'cup of cold
water' has been adapted to the needs of modern warfare, so that the man
in the firing-line knows it from experience as the gospel of the 'cup of
hot coffee.' Straggling back to a clearing station, wounded, plastered
with mud, and racked with pain, the most eloquent of sermons would not
help him, but a hot drink, a few biscuits or even a cigarette, if given
in the name of the Master may put new heart and life into him, and give
him fresh courage for the way. The Churches realise this, and have given
us of their best as far as helpers are concerned.

We have a vivid recollection of visiting the big Y.M.C.A. hut in the
Cavalry Camp at Rouen in 1915. It was the ordinary week-night service,
and more than six hundred men were present. A famous Scottish preacher
had conducted the service, and at the close we chatted with him for a
few minutes in the quiet room. 'Before I came out to France,' said he,
'I knew you had a great opportunity. Now I know that the greatest
spiritual opportunity in history rests on your shoulders--is with the
Y.M.C.A.' And yet there is a way of doing spiritual work that would make
all spiritual work in camp absolutely impossible. We remember visiting a
big hut one day--it did not sport the Red Triangle, but was beautifully
furnished. Over the door was a bold device 'A Home from Home! All
Welcome!' On entering, the first thing one saw was the text 'Behold your
sins will find you out!' And a few yards further on 'The wages of sin is
death.' 'No smoking!' was another notice, and yet another, 'This hut
will be closed every evening from seven to eight for a gospel service.'
Religion to appeal to the soldier must be natural and not forced, and
must be free from controversy and unreality. The British soldier hates a
sham, and instinctively classes the hypocrite with the Hun. He may not
understand our Shibboleths; he has no use for our controversies, but he
can and does understand the Life of the Master, when he sees the beauty
of that Life reflected in some humble follower of His, who day by day is
risking his life at the Front, that he may supply a cup of cocoa to a
wounded soldier, or who is slaving behind a Y.M.C.A. refreshment counter
at home, and doing uncongenial work for the love of Christ.

* * * * *

When it was