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slipped far from those early teach ings. He would make no open de cision, now, but unmistakably his heart had b e e n touched and God would prosper the Word. The History of Morning Cheer Center The question asked by this soldier is one that is presented several times a day in varied forms. “What is Morn ing Cheer Center and, who provides the money for it—for the commodious building, the recreational equipment, the food that is served fifteen hours a day?” Thè history of this effort toward soldier evangelism is truly a record of God’s working. The first seed for the permanent work Was sown last summer when Sam Coleman, who is now Associate Director of the Morning Cheer Center, began work as a street preacher at Wrightstown. He was working under the auspices of the Philadelphia Fundamentalists who had seen the need to reach the soldiers with thè gospel. They were unable to under take a permanent work, and they asked Dr. Palmer whether he would take it up.* . Attracted'.by the prospect of min istering to. the many thousands of sol? diers .o f. Fort Dix, Dr. Palmer pre sented the project to his radio parish, where his ministry has extended over a period of ten years. The response was amazing. More than twenty thou sand different persons sent in gifts of money." A committee, surveying the field, had decided that $10,000 would meet the need for a renovated building. But when God gives, He gives the best. Four weeks after the project was f i r s t presented to the radio audience, $26,000 had been re ceived! A program far more extensive than the initial plan had become pos sible. Support bn the part of God’s chil dren did not lapse with the initial gifts and with the erection of the building that is the result of those gifts. It is not only money that is given to maintain this work. For in stance: ninety-six cakes were delivered at the Center in one day! Thousands of cookies come in every week and go out each week. Fifty thousand cups of- coffee were served in one month, Using over 900 pounds of sugar, and 2,500 cans of milk — all distributed free. , Dr. Palmer s e r v e s as “Chief-of- staff” for the Center and devotes much o f ’ his radio time to reports of the work among the men in thè ranks. A l most every night lie is on hand at Morning Cheer Center to greet the boys and to see that their needs are supplied. As its director, Morning Cheer Center has been privileged to have the services of Harry R i m m e r, well-known scientist, Bible teacher,
and writer. Dr. Rimmer’s own exten sive experience in somewhat similar work in the previous World War has peculiarly fitted him for this. As gym instructor, evangelist, and teacher of the Bible class for the new converts, he has won .the; hearts of the men, who affectionately address him as “Doc.” Purpose and Provision Recreation is a great problem in any Army post, especially in the East dur-' ing the winter months. Men who are off duty do not enjoy sitting about in a cold tent with little to do. So the Center was planned with two primary objects in view. The first: to provide a Christian club, where boys away from home could rest and play, in a wholesome environment, at no cost
to themselves, and where they might have the fellowship of, other Chris tians. The second: to keep the light of evangelism burning -brightly where men '•in uniform may be led to find Christ and to become children of God. Accommodations were made for 250 men, and it was hoped that some day there would be a group that large who would desire such a place, God answered “ abundantly a n d above,” and in one day there -have been Over 1,500 men in uniform t a k i n g ad vantage of this recreational center. A l ready more rooms have been added. The motto of the Morning Cheer Center is: “Everything Free: Including the Gospel!” Men, , coming for the first time, are rather bewildered at so mueh given free. But when cold, tired [ Continued on Page 371]
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Responsibility for Prayer
requested that their names be added to this group. An additional number represents men and women—many of them unsaved—who are in military service and for whom some one in the “family” of the church, the In stitute, and the radio congregation has a burden of interest and concern.' Many letters similar to the follow ing one have been received: “ I would like to have my son’s ' name listed with those who are in the service of our country, and to have him remembered in ■ prayer. He is a seaman and has just gone on his first trip. Please pray that God will guide and pro tect him, and that he will be saved." The plaques bearing the names of [ Continued on Page 394]
ICTORY—and prayer! These two necessities, and the vital relation between them, are kept constantly before the hundreds of worshipers in the Church of the Open Door. Above the pulpit in the main auditorium is the “Victory Flag,” as prominently displayed as is the missionary map on which the fields of service of s o m e 331 mis sionaries of the church and of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles are in dicated. Not only 'does the flag, with its accompanying name panels, represent persons who have gone from the fe l lowship of the church or of the In stitute to serve in the armed forces of the United States. Besides these, there are many who have been listeners to the radio broadcasts is suing from this center, and who have
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