For the last six months I have been serving several of the CCC camps of the Third Forestry District, as district chaplain. Elder Wight and his [Michigan Conference] committee granted me leave of absence for a period of six months to serve in this way. I have enjoyed the work exceedingly, and have had opportunity really to help some of our own boys here. I have been able also to meet with our own churches on the Sabbath, and to assist them in this district where they do not often have a visit from one of our ministers.
The conference committee recently voted to extend my leave of absence until next June, and seem very favorable to the work. Elder Wight feels that it is a credit to us as a conference to be able to help at this time, when so many youth are congregated together under circumstances that make it easy to reach them spiritually. At the same time I am taking the Pontiac church under my care, and am able to meet with them every other week, so a pastor is supplied for that place at no expense to the conference.
As district chaplain I have under my care seven camps, containing about two thousand men and officers. I am privileged to hold as many meetings with them as I can. A few nights ago I preached on Daniel 2 to over two hundred and fifty men and officers. I presented it one evening when I was to give proof on the inspiration of the Bible.
All the officers know that I am a Seventh-day Adventist. I have many opportunities to explain our work to them, especially to the district commanders, with whom I spend many hours riding from camp to camp on inspection tours. After I told one district commander that I was a Seventh-day Adventist, he replied sadly, "I am sorry you told me that, Chaplain, because I liked you." The next day I was on a trip with the commander and a captain who was present when the foregoing remark was made. The captain placed his arm on my shoulder and said, "Chaplain, the commander and I have talked it over, and we both have decided to like you, anyway."
As stated, we have several Seventh-day Adventist boys in the camps. It is inspiring to note how most of them stand up for this truth. I believe that our denomination is entitled to•several United States chaplains. Here is a service that certain of our ministers might take up when funds are low in the organized work. I have had several letters from the chief of chaplains, Dr. J. E. Yates, and I believe him to be a God-fearing man, anxious to help those under his charge.
East Tawas. Mich.
* This presentation and the one following from S. E. Wight, are excerpts from personal letters to the editor, but are printed here by permission. Their depiction of this new form of ministerial service will be informative and interesting to all.—Editors.
