CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR
city that the Christian Science War Relief Committee was in Langres for the purpose of conducting a proselyting campaign. This he promptly agreed to do.
“A few days later the Town Crier, who is a very imposing figure, wearing a great deal of gold braid, and who is preceded by a man with a trumpet which he blows loudly to call crowds of people together, went through the streets announcing that the Christian Science War Relief Committee had beneficently given the sum of 2500 francs to the war victims of Langres. The weekly edition of the paper of the city contained the same announcement and also a statement from the Mayor giving the object of our work and saying that we had no intention of interfering with the religious customs or beliefs of the people of Langres.
“About three miles from our Reading Room, down at the foot of the hill, are the Casual Barracks. The men who came in there were often just out of the hospitals, or were changing trains, and had no time or strength to climb the long hill to the Reading Room. They were fed and there were bunks in which they could sleep, but it was a dismal, cold, muddy place, in spite of the efforts of the fine young officer who was in charge. He often came into the Reading Room uptown and so admired its color and warmth and cheer that he said one day, ‘Oh, if I could have something like this down at the barracks for the men who pass through there.’
“About that time some new barracks were being built at the Casual Camp, and with the consent of the Commanding General we took one of the larger rooms, one sixty feet long, and began our work. The men stained the rafters and ceiling and covered the walls with raphia. This is a pongee-colored material which the men at the Camouflage station gave us. They built a big twelve-foot fireplace in the center of the side wall. One of the boys made a couch sixteen feet long, which we upholstered and covered with tapestry. We also had six smaller couches around the wall, at intervals, so that the boys could lie down if they were tired. On these we put mattresses
164
