CHURCH ARMY WAR WORK

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3174, 27 August 1917, Page 7

CHURCH ARMY WAR WORK

Sir,— Correspondence is Teaching me from many quarters -regretting that the great work the Church Army has been doing for the Empire.since the outbreak of war was not . more fully known, • Churchmen who have supported other organisations most liberally would doubtless then ha-fe given their own - Church !Axmy a share, of their patriotic gifts. Kow that our work is becoming known, contributions are coming in. The King, tho Admiralty, the War Office, tho Prime Minister in England and Mr. Maesey have enph written their apprecia. tion. Mr. Lloyd George especially referred to what he named a. "happy combination, of refreshment bar and .games and the quiet comer shut off for devotion" in Church Army huts. Therefore, those New Zealand friends who are giving support, to tho Church Army may ba well assured of its efficiency, more especially the spiritual side of tho work, each hut as far as possible being in charge of. a traiuod Church Army evangelist. . ..... As the hundreds of thousands of our * fighting men come from the Dominions and colonies, - and the millions from Britain, it is only fitting, that the work of the National Church -would be more amongst the latter, but is the colonial •troops arrived tho Church Army extended its work among them.

Waipuknrau was the first Now Zealand. town to have tlio honour of ministering to our "boys by name; .£IOO lias "been given for the. hut. named after that well-known place. Others, no doubt, will follow tho lead, 60 that our Church will be,there by name, as it has been in the past under the mantle of-the Y.M.C.A. and Salvation Amy. Immediately it was known war was declared, our chief placed tho personnel qf. the Church Army at tho feet of the country, and a hospital ■of a. hundred beds was accepted to work in France till the French Red Cross waa ready, and then huts .and tents wero asked for. Wo are helping ethers who cannot help themselves, namely, British prisoners of war in Germany. I believe after the retreat from Hons many thou-

sands of parcels .were sent weekly from the Church Army "Gifts for Prisoners Department 1 ' to Germany; many moro are now required. To-day I received a letter from the relatives of Privato Dawes, in Napier. Ho has been a prisoner of war in Germany for twelve months. Hb writes .to his sister "for food." I am sending his address— "Private Dawes, prisoner of war, Sprotten. Sohelsein, Germany"—by this mail to the secretary of the "Gifts to Prisoners Department," C.A. Headquarters, Marble Arch, London, W., asking that parcels be sent to him. Tho Cliurch Army, with its large staff, and having Hie confidence of tho military authorities, has a good chance of knowing the surest _ way of getting tho parcels delivered. New-Zea-land sympathiser's with our unfortunate soldiers cooped up in Germany are invited to assist tho Church Army ill sending more and more pax'eels to them, and an extra 20,000 for Christmas week. Bach parcel contains a warm-article of clothing and some little comforts in tho way of food and tobacco, a testament, and a cheery card, and each parcel costs ss.— I ani, etc., P. W. WHIBLKY. Hon. Sec. Church Army in' N 'I'he Vicarage, Ormondvillo, : Hawko's Bay.