Y.M.G.A.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 75, 26 February 1918, Page 7

Y.M.G.A.

The following extract from a letter received by the last mail from a Roman Catholic member of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade is of especial interest as it is another instance of how the service of the Y.M.C.A. is appreciated by soldiers belonging to aIJ sects, and shows why a contribution to the Red Triangle Day appeal for Y.M.C.A. war-work funds will he money well spenL. In the letter,

which was written to his homo, Ik* says: "If you want .to give money away, give it to the Y.M.C.A. You have no idea what good work tiiey do out here

They run canteens to sell coffee and biscuits, and have reading and writing rooms everywhere, but | when you get anywhere near 'the line, even back as far as three miles to the rear. It is all "buckshee"—free. No matter how much shelling goes on, they get as near to the line as possible. They put a canteen in any old bi'vy, and anyone can get a cup of hot coffee and a packet of very good biscuits all free. They won't accept any money. Of course, further back in civilisation, they charge Id a cup for tea or coffee and 3d a packet for the biscuits. They're a fine crowd, and uever preach religion. They've come into their own absolutely." In its work among the soldiers the Y.M.C.A. pays no regard to the differences of opinion in respect to religious matters, but goes ahead with its job of making the boys forget as far as possible the loneliness of camp life, and the miseries, danger, and discomforts, of their existence at the front. The motto of the Y.M.C.A. might well be "J serve," for be he Catholic or Protestant, Atheist or Spiritualist, Jew or Goutile, the man in khaki is always welcome at any Y.M.C.A. hut. If this work is to be maintained for another year, the sum of £IOO,OOO must be raised during the Red Triangle Day campaign.