Draw Near WIth Faith

Perhaps the most extraordinary religious service of World War II was reported in last week's Churchman. It was described in a letter written to The Rev. E. Ruffin Jones, rector of St. Andrew's Church, Norfolk, Va., by a onetime William & Mary athlete, now a Marine lieutenant.

Wrote the lieutenant: "Not so very long ago, I was aboard ship being convoyed into combat with the enemy. Because of the size of the convoy, and especially the size of my ship, there weren't enough chaplains to go around. We were among the more unfortunate vessels. At the end of the first week aboard ship my men began asking about church services, so I took it upon myself to conduct Sunday services. The response to these services was so tremendous that I attempted to conduct Holy Communion the night before we were to land on enemy-held territory.

"One of my men constructed a crude altar. We covered it with a slightly soiled sheet and arranged things as best we could with what we had to work with. Soda crackers and diluted rum served as the more essential elements. The service was crude . . . but our men appreciated it more than they would have in one of our larger cathedrals, because they had an active part in bringing it about. I probably stepped way out of line by taking it upon myself to conduct the holy sacrament, but I am sure that some of the men who participated, especially those who are no longer with us, and will never be able to take the sacrament again, will forgive me." Commented Rector Jones: "Fully admitting the irregularity, which to many will seem a weak word, of a layman's celebrating the Holy Communion, and other elements in the service almost as startling, I can but believe that the sacrament was as valid in the sight of God as it would have been if regularly held in one of our largest cathedrals."

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