aplains said they ought to believe. . . . They have a dim
sort of idea that He is misrepresented by Christianity. . . . If the
chaplain wants to be understood and to win their sympathy he must begin
by showing them that Christianity is the explanation and the
justification and the triumph of all that they do now really believe in.
He must start by making their religion articulate in a way which they
will recognize."

As we turn from the virtues to the vices or moral weaknesses of the
soldier in war time, we find that they also fall chiefly under five
headings:

1. _Impurity_ must certainly take the first place. Investigation seemed
to show that the majority of these men were immoral in peace time, but
the war has intensified this evil. This would be accounted for to a
large extent by the unnatural conditions under which the men are forced
to live, and the policy of the military authorities, who are often
concerned merely with the fighting fitness of the men, rather than with
the moral issues. However this may be, in nearly every camp or battalion
or regiment or body of men questioned, whether among officers or men, the
majority were confessedly living in immorality. This in itself is a
staggering fact. It could be supported here by numerous statements or
authorities and by much evidence.

2. _Obscene and profane language_ is sweeping like an epidemic through
the camps. It is infectious, and the worst men, who are the loudest
talkers, tend to set the standard, so that evil is rapidly and
unconsciously propagated until the very atmosphere becomes saturated. It
is some comfort to know that frequently words are used unthinkingly and
without a full realization of their original meaning. It is also
comforting to be assured that there is not much deliberate telling of
obscene stories. As one man puts it, "There are few essentially rotten
minds." When, however, the name of our Lord is used not only profanely,
but dragged into the most obscene and horrible connections, unheard of in
peace times, no possible excuse can be offered and the habit cannot but
prove deadening and baneful in its influence. Men who never before
thought of swearing find themselves driven to strong language and to
reckless, heightened, or intensified expression in the trying and
persistent strain of war time.

3. _Drunkenness_ has always proved the danger of the soldier. The
discipline of the army has lessened this evil within the camps.