CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE WAR
American naval base had been established there in June, from which a force of sixty-six submarine chasers operated under the general direction of the British naval Commander-in-Chief at that port. There were also a number of permanent camps round the town, as well as the dockyards, forts and naval and military hospitals spread over a wide area. War Relief Rooms were accordingly opened on the direct road between Plymouth and Devonport, along which hundreds of British and American bluejackets passed daily. Situated as they were in the very center of a neighborhood which offered numerous doubtful amusements to the sailor on shore, these Rooms had the opportunity and privilege of saving many mere boys from temptations of various kinds. In this connection a sailor writes:
“Oh, what a Godsend the Christian Science War Relief Rooms have been to me. Those most perfect evenings spent there while in the service have been of endless help and comfort. I recollect well how I fought with myself one evening between going to a Variety show and the War Relief Room, and the latter won. It was a long fight but the reward has been great. Since my first visit to the Room the Variety has had no attraction whatever for me.”
A marine said to the Worker:
“I cannot tell you how grateful I am for these Rooms. They have saved me from so much I could only regret. Not that I am naturally vicious, but I had nowhere I cared to go, and in the streets temptation was flung at me from every corner.”
The advent of such a quiet and uplifting rendezvous quickly became known at the large dockyards, and the members of the various forces soon began to show
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