EARLY in September of this year we went to visit our dear friend Madame Lecoat at Trèmel, Côtes-du-Nord, France. We went from Southampton to St. Malo, and from there took the train to Plounerin, the nearest station to Tremel. On the way we had to change trains at St. Brieuc, and while waiting for our train we saw several hundreds of French soldiers march into the station who were all going to the Front. Very smart they looked in their blue overcoats, with their knapsacks on their backs. It was too good an opportunity to be lost, and as I had a good many French Gospels and Testaments with me, I went among the dear fellows and began distributing the Word of God. Laughingly they let me put the Gospels into their pockets, then they would ask me to lift their knapsacks to see how heavy they were. I asked them where they were going. They did not know. I went to an officer and offered him a Gospel. He shook his head. I then offered him a very good Testament with gilt edges, and pointing to his pocket asked him to put it in. He looked, smiled, saluted, took the Testament, shook hands, and then put the little book in his pocket. I had no refusal, but the men crowded around me eager for the Word of God. When our train came in, and we had to get into our carriage, a crowd of soldiers gathered around the carriage and held out their hands beseechingly. I found a few more Gospels and gave to all I could. At last I could find no more, and we had to leave the station with many unsatisfied, and with one soldier standing, when all the rest had gone, sorrowful because I had no book for him. His sad face haunted me for some time, and I was sorry I had not taken his name and address. While I was giving away the Gospels on the platform a Romish priest was watching me, an elderly man with a benevolent face, and when I turned to get into the carriage he raised his hat in farewell.
When I reached Tremel I at once wrote to the Scripture Gift Mission for French Gospels and Testaments. They sent me a large parcel from Paris. I sent to French soldiers at the Front from Tremel, and our dear friends there are quite willing to make the Orphanage a distributing center for the French soldiers if means are forthcoming to extend the work to France. A dear Christian in Morlaix gave away hundreds of Gospels which I sent to him to soldiers going to the Front, and he is willing to continue this happy work if supplies are given. While at Tremel, besides sending parcels to French soldiers at the Front, I paid a visit to a dear Christian French Pasteur who lives at St. Brieuc. He told me a good deal about his work among the German prisoners. He had free access to them as most of them were Protestants; he visited them three times a week and gave them books and had meetings for them. From what I gathered from him, and from others, it seems the best way for a Protestant to work among the French soldiers is to get the addresses of French Christian soldiers at the Base or at the Front who are willing to distribute Gospels and Testaments and magazines to their comrades, and to send parcels to them.
In the French Gospels, etc., I give away to French soldiers I have this notice put in each book: —
I am hoping, as the work extends, to be brought in touch with some anxious about their souls, and my kind friends at Tremel will be only too willing to correspond with any anxious soldiers.
On our way back to St. Malo on our homeward journey we had to change at Dol, and here again we saw a large number of soldiers entraining for the Front. I had more Gospels with me, and gave them away freely to men really anxious to have them. I gave a Testament to an officer, and my wife noticed after a while that he gave it to his wife who had come to see him off, so I went to him and gave him another, telling him it was for himself. He smiled and put it in his pocket.
Everywhere I found the soldiers eager for God’s Word. Not one of them seemed to have a Testament, and they all wanted them. Dear friends, our work, with that of others, must go on. There is a need for every worker in the harvest fields today. If you send me French Gospels or Testaments I will distribute them gladly. If you will give me the names of any French soldiers you know willing to work for God among their comrades I will send parcels to them. We must pray to God for France. One thing I know from what I have seen is that the men in the Army want the Scriptures. We must pray for open doors.
I have had the name of a godly Belgian Pasteur given me. He has seven Chaplains (Protestant) working with him. They are seeking to evangelize the Belgian Army. I sent him seven parcels of books, and I had a most courteous letter from him. We must pray God to help him in his work.
If I had the means I believe I know a Christian in France who would be willing to devote the whole of his time to the work of distributing Gospels and Testaments to the French soldiers. I have known him for years, and I am sure he would do the work well. This I must leave in the hands of God. I simply speak of it now and ask you to pray about it. The following letter is from him to Madame Lecoat: ―
“Dear Madame Lecoat, ― I was glad to receive the 450 portions of the Gospels from you, and other tracts. Yesterday being the ‘Fête de bon Dieu,’ I distributed all the 450 portions, and nearly all the tracts. I distributed them principally among the soldiers, who were delighted to have something to read, and when the townspeople saw me distributing, they came and asked me if they could have some. I distributed three times on Sunday: first between 8:30 and 10 in the morning, second between 11:30 and 12, and third between 4 and 5. Everybody was very civil to me; there were only a few who would not accept anything, and these were mostly officers. When I walked down the street at 8.30 on Sunday morning fathers and mothers sent their little boys, only partly dressed, running after me to ask if they could have a book. Between four and five I took up my stand near the Town Hall of Morlaix, and in spite of the procession being started, people crowded round me and I was able to finish distributing the portions and most of the tracts. One soldier particularly asked me for St. John; he said he found it so interesting.... Another soldier told me he was from Le Pontou, and remembered seeing me pass a short time ago while he was guarding the bridge... When I offered him a portion and a tract he was very pleased.... Many of the brave soldiers are leaving in a few days for the Front, and I am glad to say a good many of them will have with them the Gospels and tracts. May God bless them and protect them, and may His Word be the means of converting them and bring them to know His most wonderful love.... May God bless you abundantly. — Your sincere friend in Christ, G. E. M.”