Being away from home affords many opportunities for observation. This is especially true of my position at the present time, my husband being one of the Rainbow Division which is composed of men from every State in the Union: it is truly an American Division and because of that fact one gets a cross section of morals and conduct of the American people as a whole.

The city nearest the Camp—Muskogee—has increased in population to at least one-third more than its normal size, due to the many wives following their husbands to the Camp. I have had occasion to speak with many people from all parts of our country. This has been very interesting and how quickly I have detected the results of training or lack of it.

Camp Gruber is eighteen miles from the city and in making the trip to and from Camp I have often had to contend with crowded bus conditions: every available seat being taken and the aisle filled with soldiers standing the entire ride. The rides are very interesting—the occupants often breaking forth in song. Needless to say, the singing is mostly of the latest song-hits. We, who by God’s grace learn to sing His praises, can see how sinful it is to fill our time with such nonsense, when it is the calling of man to serve God and sing His praises. It behooves our young people to maintain their distinctiveness by remaining separate and not joining the world in their song. The truth is brought to our mind, “ye are a peculiar people”. How often I have thought of our Chorus and Radio Choir and what a contrast to the constant jazz that is heard. In observing the walk of many people. I have been reminded of the blessedness of the Christian training we have been privileged to have received. Without God and His love in our heart there is no purpose in life. This is brought out so forcibly in the lives of many. Their speech betrays them—and how very careful we who profess to be Christians must be as to the language we speak. Profanity is so prevalent: God’s Name is spoken in vain so lightly. It seems that every sentence must be punctuated by the misuse of God’s Name. The more we study His Word and remember His greatness, the more careful we will be to use His Name only with reverence and godly fear, for we know that He is God alone and rules and controls all things. Let us be conspicuous by our lack of profanity and thereby also be a witness that we are different—we have a goal in life. . Drink is an evil that is so manifest in army life. Life doesn’t seem to be worth living unless they can have their drinks; and in moments of fear and despondency, will resort to drink to forget their misery. It is no uncommon sight to see two soldiers holding up a buddy who is unable to manage alone because of drunkenness. What a disgusting picture he presents. Or to see soldiers engaged in a fight in the camp bus or sprawled all over the seat so drunken they don’t realize where they are. How necessary it is for us as Christians to testify “for me to live is Christ” and to seek the new life which is from above. We can never boast of ourselves, by saying that we are too good to follow such paths of sin, for we know that it is God’s grace that gives us eyes to see sin and to hate it; he that “glorieth let him glory in the Lord”.

There has also been opportunity for observation in the religious life of the people we meet. There are so many different theories— one of the most shocking to me being the belief that this world is getting better! I discovered this person was of the modern school and did not believe Jesus was divine, but just one of us.

None of the faiths can answer all the questions that come to our mind about our position in life and the many happenings in the world, as the faith which we profess— of our sovereign Lord, Who has redeemed His people and is calling them, while He at the same time is judging the world for its wickedness. How rich has been our teaching and may we who are in the midst of the world be faithful witnesses of the riches we have received and glorify our Father.