Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1918 — An Incident in France. [ARTICLE]

An Incident in France.

Two thousand men had paraded at one of our great base camps previous to going “up the Hue.” The inspection was complete, and in a few minutes the order, “Quick March,” to the railway station would be given. Just at that moment, while all stood at “attention,” fully equipped, a voice began: to sing, Jesus, the very thought of Thee With gladness fills my breast. And like a waye Of melody the song passed from rank to rank, until every man seemed to be singing. The hymn was sung right through to the last verse the officers, meantime, looking on in silence. How many of these men have already looked into the face of him of whom they sang? There was a Christian association hut in that camp at which this hymn was a great favorite with the men—surely much better than the senseless “Tipperary.” —D. J. Findlay in The Christian.