CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR
where soldiers could read and write their home letters in peace, and many men found their way there within a few hours of arriving in Bedford. Three boys, for instance, came in one day shortly after their arrival and could hardy credit that such comfort and accommodations were intended for private soldiers. Next evening they returned bringing seven friends with them, and these ten came regularly thereafter, except when detained by military duties. An interesting man who had been for some years Honorary Secretary of a London branch of the Y. M. C. A. which deals with boys under sixteen years of age, also became a regular visitor. He was hugely appreciative of the Room, its peace, quiet and comfort, the more so as he carried on a large correspondence with his old boys, many of whom were in the army like himself, and wrote to him for counsel and encouragement. He said one night to the Worker:
“We owe an immense debt of gratitude to your Committee, and to whoever first thought of providing such a restful place for soldiers.”
ALDERSHOT
As the rooms already established in these places were attracting large numbers, the Committee felt it was very important that a similar room should be opened at Aldershot, the largest permanent military center in England. On making inquiries, a suitable hall was found to be available, and negotiations were at once entered into, with the result that these premises were arranged as reading and writing rooms, and opened in April, 1917. With the exception of one camp, which is practically in Aldershot, the barracks
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