Probably more men are led astray in the war zone when they go on leave than at any other time, in reaction from the deadly monotony of camp life, or the inferno of the trenches.  London and Paris are the chief centers of danger.  In London, just before sailing for the States, we visited the finely equipped American “Eagle” Hut in the Strand.  It would be difficult to devise a more homelike or attractive place for soldiers.  In addition to sleeping accommodations for several hundred men, the lounge and recreation rooms, the big fireplaces and comfortable chairs suggested the equipment of an up-to-date club, in marked contrast to the surroundings of a cheerless soldiers’ barracks.

[Illustration:  The “Eagle Hut” in London.]

In Paris, in addition to the permanent headquarters at 31 Avenue Montaigne, we are hoping to provide hotels and hostels and guides for supervised parties to see the chief points of interest, and to plan such healthy occupation for the soldiers that the evils of the city may be counteracted.  Better still we are planning resorts in the French Alps, where summer and winter sports, athletics, mountain climbing, and physical and mental recreation will obviate altogether the necessity of leave to Paris for many of the soldiers of the United States and Canada.  In the first resort we are arranging for special rates and moderate charges at the hotels and have the pledge of the civil authorities to keep the place wholesome and absolutely to prevent the incoming of camp followers.  The Association is planning to take over the best hotel, which can be made into an attractive social center for the entire camp.  A score of American and as many Canadian ladies will help to provide social recreation and amusement for the men, which will prove a greater attraction than the dangerous leave in Paris.

A glance at one or two typical meetings held in various camps will show how we are trying to help our boys face the pressing problems of a soldier’s life.

We enter a large hut filled with a thousand soldiers.  Here are many men who have been driven toward God and who are face to face with the great realities of life, death, and the future as never before in their lives, eager for any message which may help them.  But here are several hundred others who have fallen victims to evil habits and who are determined you shall not force religion down their throats.  How are we to capture the attention of this mass of men and hold them?  Will they bolt or stand fire?  The time has come to begin the meeting and we plunge in.  “Come on, boys, let’s have a sing-song; gather round the piano and let’s sing some of the old camp songs.”  Out come the little camp song books, and we start in on a few favorite choruses.  A dozen voices call for “John Brown’s Body,” “Tennessee,” “Kentucky Home,” “A Long, Long Trail,” etc.  Soon we have several hundred men seated around the piano and the chorus gathers in volume.  Now we call for local talent.  A boy with blue eyes and a clear tenor voice sings of home.  A red-headed humorist climbs on the table; and at his impersonations, his acting, and comic songs, the crowd shouts with glee.