Letter to Mother from Somewhere in France

Somewhere in France
7-2-17[sic]

Dear Mother:–

We got off drill all after noon so I come down in the trees with a can of candies some paper and oil sheet my testament I have had a good time slept some read some eaten some and now I am going to write you a few lines

The P.M. is lovely the sun is not to hot and an ocasional cloud, we have our hours service under the trees at 5.45 and can spend as much time in christian fellowship after as we like to. I pray that we may be the means of helping manys the boy to find his saviour.

we spent several hours in drill of various kinds but a lot of the time flew, we got paid 30 frank last night, I may not go up the line for two weeks yet if I don’t you will get letters regularly as often as I can think of any thing to scribble down. Our mail will be in in a day or two.

I must go to supper now it is 4.15    

After Supper

Mother It would do me so much good if you could just see me, I am lying on the clover grass just about 4 rods from the any trees it is so nice in the sun with the sun, the boys are all going there different ways, some are professional ball players other tinnis cricket foot ball, some wrestle others box and etc. they can get equipage here for any thing they want to go in for but I and our little band of out and out Christians come here each night to worship and praise our living God. this tests a Christian if he wont come out here with use once in a while I am afraid his love for God may not take him thru the trials of life.

My faith seems so strong and real that I can almost say I have no trials, I just simply lean humbly upon Gods almight power study his word and pray, and meditate go thru talks that I may some day give to the boys but now in my mind

There will be boys return from this war that will preach a gospel that will either change our church membership or rid it of its world enrolement where actual Christian man meet worldly men can’t stand to be present with out the word of God coming into there thots there hearts and eventualy they will turn or get out, Well Mother our little meeting is over there was just our four old stand byes here we had a good time.

Well good night Mother dear I am going in to get my brass ready for tomorrows inspection

as ever your loving brother[sic] Laurie.