Barry Waugh - Letters from the Front: J. Gresham Machens Correspondence from World War I

For students of Presbyterian history, Machen is always a stop along the timeline. We consider his scholarly role and applaud his supernaturalism. It is even commonly known of his international travels to study under men like Hermann. Now we have access to the humanitarian Machen. In the context of the Great War, these personal letters open up a new side of him. From his own pen, often in the midst of uncertainties, we are able to know him better. I cant commend this book too much.

C. N. Willborn, Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Adjunct Professor of Historical Theology, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

What a treat Barry Waugh has provided for those who love Machen! J. Gresham Machen with the YMCA reveals Machen the perfectionist, the theologian, the servant, and the son. But, these letters to his family also reveal the changed man, having seen firsthand the horrors of war.

Danny E. Olinger, General Secretary, Committee on Christian Education, Orthodox Presbyterian Church; Editor of A Geerhardus Vos Anthology

Doughboy accounts of their experiences in World War I are fairly common, but it is unusual to find the stories of those who offered assistance behind the trenches. J. Gresham Machen served in the YMCA in France for over a year and was always near the frontline. Whether helping the wounded or working in the canteen, he ministered to the men as best he could. Machens letters reveal the frustrations and boredom that so many soldiers felt as well as the joys of serving those in need. Machens compassion is truly amazing, and his letters home offer a wonderful glimpse of the service of one YMCA official. The editor, Dr. Barry Waugh, deserves commendation as well. His commentary and footnotes provide essential guidance for fully understanding Machens service and ministry during the war.

David Snead, Chair, Department of History, Liberty University; Editor of George Browne: An American Soldier in World War I

J Gresham Machen is a fascinating, complex, and controversial figure, well known for his role in the church conflicts of the 1920s and 30s. What is often forgotten is that he was also a member of the generation of young men whose lives were forever changed by their exposure to the horrors of trench warfare in the First World War. This volume contains the letters which the young Machen wrote home as he served as a YMCA volunteer in the war. As such, they offer both important first-hand accounts of the conflict but also give us insights into some of the darker experiences which shaped the mind of the future church leader.

Carl R. Trueman, Paul Woolley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia

J. Gresham Machen played a key role in the theological debates of the 1920s and 1930s. His work has been studied and evaluated from many angles. What is less well-known and less well considered is his service in the First World War. Although he objected to American involvement, he participated as a volunteer in the YMCA. From these rare letters the reader can see a fresh side of the great scholar. On the battlefields of France he was simply known as a compassionate soul who brought solace to scores of suffering soldiers. For those who only know Machen the polemicist, this volume will showcase Machen the caregiver.

William Edgar, Professor of Apologetics, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia

LETTERS FROM

the Front

J. Gresham Machens
Correspondence
from World War I

Transcribed and Edited
by Barry Waugh

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2012 by Westminster Theological Seminary

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwiseexcept for brief quotations for the purpose of review or comment, without the prior permission of the publisher, P&R Publishing Company, P.O. Box 817, Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865-0817.

Westminster Seminary Press, LLC, a Pennsylvania Limited Liability Company, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Westminster Theological Seminary.

This book is a copublication between P&R Publishing and Westminster Seminary Press.

Cover images are used courtesy of Westminster Theological Seminary.

Cover design by Cause Design Company and P&R Publishing.

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN: 978-1-59638-479-8

ISBN: 978-1-59638-602-0 (ePub)

ISBN: 978-1-59638-603-7 (Mobi)

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Conventions Used in the Letter Transcriptions xxv

1. Over There

January 22 to February 10, 1918

2. At Le Foyer du Soldat, St. Mard

February 14 to March 2, 1918

3. Adjusting to the War, the Y, and Monsieur Pia

March 7 to 18, 1918

4. A New Assignment at Missy-sur-Aisne

March 23 to April 7, 1918

5. A River of Hot Chocolate Flowing at Missy-sur-Aisne

April 12 to May 6, 1918

6. War Is Declared on the Rats

May 14 to 26, 1918

7. The Germans Are ComingSudden Evacuation from
Missy-sur- Aisne

May 29 to June 13, 1918

8. A Hut in the American YMCA

June 20 to July 16, 1918

9. The Y Man of Pexonne

July 22 to September 7, 1918

10. Continuing Y Service in Several Locations

September 14 to November 6, 1918

11. The War Is Over!

November 14 to December 5, 1918

12. The Religious Work

December 17 to January 5, 1919

13. A Review of Past Locations and More Y Work

January 5 to February 7, 1919

14. Going Home!

February 12 to March 2, 1919

15. Letters Written in French Received by J. Gresham Machen

June 5, 1918 to January 13, 1919

Some Closing Thoughts

Glossary of People, Plays, Literature, and Other
Words of Interest

Index of Subjects and Names

Foreword

The name of J . Gresham Machen is synonymous with high theological scholarship, unswerving biblical fidelity, and theological orthodoxy. His outspoken defense of historic Christianity has had a substantial impact on students, pastors, and scholars. Christians in the Machen tradition have even been called Machens warrior children.

So it may be a surprise that in the First World War Machen chose not to fight as a warrior. Instead he regularly risked his life in embattled France as a humanitarian non-combatant serving with the YMCA. The confrontational theologian of Christianity and Liberalism had previously been an agent of grace and compassion in the midst of danger and death in the Great War. This volume rounds out our understanding of Machen the brilliant scholar by also revealing him as a servant of Christ to needy and suffering soldiers.

Moreover, January 1, 2012 was the seventy-fifth anniversary of Machens untimely death. Thus it is fitting that we remember his role with the Young Mens Christian Association in preserving lives of young men in military service. This publication also celebrates Machens importance for the history of Westminster, as well as this largely overlooked aspect of his ministry for Christ.

It is with pleasure, then, that Westminster Seminary Press publishes Machens letters home from the battlefields of France. I hope in the coming years we will be able to offer other books that highlight Westminsters heritage, and in the process, help to advance the gospel and the growth of Christs Kingdom.

Thanks for reading!