The Sunday evening services of song were in some respects even more successful than the Thursday night concerts. A better chance to meet and know the men was afforded, and a better opportunity provided to intermingle and converse. The strangers invariably seemed to meet people from their own home towns or provinces, and the men from Britain found enthusiasts from Scotland, England, Ireland or Wales ready to greet them on mutual racial grounds.
The addresses on these occasions always had a more serious, religious or sentimental strain than was noticeable on week nights, and the Rev. Dr. Clarke, who succeeded Dr. Macmillan in 1916 as minister of the congregation was always ready to tell a good story and point a moral with good effect. The lantern was used for throwing the words of well-known hymn tunes on the screen, and the singing often had the fervor of a revival meeting. As each Unit or Regiment was known to be embarking for the Front, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” was invariably sung and often that hymn, “Eternal Father Strong to Save” and various war-time versions thereof were prayerfully sung. Besides the hymn singing there were always solos, duets or quartettes rendered by the church choir and other artists. Refreshments were served before dispersing, but were plainer than the fare dispensed on Thursdays, being confined to tea and biscuits so as to lessen the labor in deference to the Sabbath. These however, were greatly appreciated by men who had eaten their suppers at 4 p.m. with no other meal in prospect until the next day.
Some thousands signed their autographs in visitors’ books that were frequently passed around for signature, and among them are those of hundreds who now lie in Flanders fields or gave their lives for God and King and Country in other spheres of the War zone. Many appreciatory letters were received from boys and men after they left Halifax, expressing their appreciation of these receptions, some of them comparing the wintry nights in the trenches or on the North Sea with the peaceful hours spent at St. Matthew’s. Many wives and mothers in all parts of Canada have heard of St. Matthew’s and Halifax and have shown their thankfulness in many ways for the attention given their husbands and sons while here. The work of the Halifax Churches combined with the activities of the Citizens’ Reception Committee and the Y.M.C.A. work at Pier 2 throughout the War have made the name of Halifax well and favorably known throughout the land. Even now that the War is over the duty of the churches towards the strangers within their gates should be continued—the need is great though the boys and men may not be in uniform and many of these could enjoy and appreciate as the soldiers and sailors did, a warm and kindly welcome from a Christian community.
SPECIAL SKETCHES
PROMINENT NOVA SCOTIANS
SOME KILLED IN ACTION—OTHERS “CARRYING ON”
COL. W. E. THOMPSON.
To the organizing ability, and more especially the extraordinary genius for administration, of Col. W. E. Thompson must be given the chief credit for the splendid achievement and unsullied record of Military District No. 6. Second in Command of the 63rd Halifax Rifles at the outbreak of the War, he was, in December, 1914, called in by headquarters to assume the duties of Inspector of Outposts and Detachments throughout the district, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. In March, 1915, he was appointed Assistant Adjutant-General and Officer in Charge of Administration of Military District No. 6. In May, 1916, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel; and during the summer of that year, in addition to his duties as Assistant Adjutant-General, was Commandant of the Camp at Aldershot. In December, 1918, Colonel Thompson succeeded to the command of Military District No. 6.
The effect of his personality and of his genius for organization and, more particularly, administration, on the whole service of Military District No. 6, as well as on its morale, was extraordinary. He was regarded by Headquarters Staff, even by the three General Officers Commanding, before he succeeded to the command, as the authentic administrative “Mind” of the district. No other military district had such varied and great administrative problems and such heavy responsibilities as Military District No. 6, and yet the War was concluded with not a single mark against the administration and not a breath of scandal on its personnel and their conduct of the various Departments. For that splendid achievement Colonel Thompson was chiefly responsible.