Page:Distinguished Churchmen.djvu/396

346 important not to omit this—are most helpful in seconding endeavours made for the good of the soldiers. There has been a great advance made in all that concerns the material well-being of our soldiers; their condition in respect of health, comfort, education and recreation was never cared for as it now is. We cannot look at these things with indifference or disdain, for they are good in themselves and in their influences. But, as ministers of Christ, we are bound to use all our powers to make this progress a moral one, so that the real elevation of our soldiers may be insured by it. Our duty is to help the men to rise above the mere animal life, lest all these material improvements should only lead to their moral deterioration. The work is peculiar; it has its special dangers, its special requisites; it is one long continued mission, for men ever coming and going, so that we have continually to begin afresh; it is a succession of new starts, needing no ordinary powers of body and mind. But the true soldier prefers the danger of the sharpest battle to the inglorious inactivity of looking on.

“High deeds Haunt not the fringy edges of the fight, But the pell mell of men.”

“The parade services I regard as the most fruitful agencies for efforts of good. These services, as you may know, are compulsory. Every soldier not on duty is bound to attend public worship on Sunday