The National War Work Council
When the Great War began, the YMCA felt the United States military needed a “religiously affiliated civilian partner” and formed the National War Work Council, led by Dr. John Mott. (1) This council operated in camps both in the United States and Europe meant to keep the American troops moralized for the duration of the war. The council operated under the Evangelical Protestant church and maintained its values, but were also in slight competition with the Knights of Columbus and the Jewish Welfare Board. (2) Regardless, these camps, where they likely would have given YMCA booklets and other necessities, were crucial to the morality of the troops and even to prisoners of war.
In How to Make a Rational Fight for Character, the author, Henry Churchill King, writes that in order for one to truly find “character” in themselves, they must commit to the teachings of Christianity and believe in Christ for their one, true salvation. (3) Essentially, if an American soldier were to put his trust in Jesus Christ, he could hold a great character for himself even when the going gets tough, especially during war. This booklet was originally published through the YMCA in 1911 and would subsequently recieved at least two more printings in 1916, by the New York Association Press, and one in 1918, again published by the YMCA during the first World War. It was originally given to a Corporal Nic Johnson, who served in Le Mans, France during the Great War.
In The Deity of Christ booklet, Robert E. Speer offers the reader questions about the Christian faith, for example, Where did Christianity come from? Who really is Jesus Christ? (4) This would have been good reading material for those in the service who may have been questioning their faith or what it meant to be a Christian during this time of war. The booklet was originally published in 1909 by Robert E. Speer through the Fleming H. Revell Company, but during the Great War, it would be republished by the YMCA. These two booklets offered soldiers a deeper look into the meaning behind Jesus Christ and Christianity in general and perhaps gave them a sense of peace when they might be found on the battlefield.