TIMELY RECOGNITION
so that newcomers to the camp found them as soon as they arrived.
The chaplain's room in camp became a haven of retreat for boys who wished to read and study undisturbed and in one case a boy who had not known what it was to have a quiet moment alone for months was healed of a serious throat trouble while reading the lesson in the chaplain's quarters. As elsewhere our chaplain had charge of the athletic and entertainment features of the camp, visited the hospitals, distributed our literature to those who wished it and found his days very full of busy activity.
One especially interesting development of his work was the kindly help to men in the Detention camp. These men were not permitted to sail for home because suffering from a form of venereal disease. They were looked upon as being in disgrace and their general condition was one of condemnation and hopelessness. Several of them appealed to our chaplain for help and he met nearly every day with a little group dubbed in fun “The Day Break Club,” to read the lesson. Much earnest study took place and splendid progress was noted. During the month of February, Mr. Bartlett was made ranking chaplain of Camp de Souge, which put all the activities of a religious nature under his direction. Some months later the medical lieutenant colonel and the major of Camp de Souge, requested our chaplain to accompany the Detention Battalion to a new camp near Bordeaux. His work was so much appreciated that he was asked to remain with the staff until all of the men were on their way to America.
The third candidate who attended the Chaplains'
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