Somewhere in France
Dec. 11., '16

Dear Mr Aitkin

I want to send you another note, although it is a long time since I have received mail from anyplace at all. It is difficult to write when one does not get any answer; it is like talking to an empty church. But I know you cannot help that.

I am in the best of health, and am really enjoying myself, although if you saw what I am doing, and the way I am living, you would say it was impossible. But then it is true. We are queer mortals. Circumstance like these I have never seen nor even read about. If I had had 1/1000th part of my present discomforts to put up with in Canada, I would have regarded myself as most unhappy. But here, I actually laugh, & and laugh again, at them. It is all very funny. The reason perhaps is that I feel that they can hardly be avoided, and that I am just where God would have me be. If a man is in the path of God he can be happy in the most incredible circumstances.

But there are many things which are very fine indeed. The scenery is very beautiful. Although it is winter, the quaint cottages, beautiful homes with pretty French windows and curious shutters; the magnificent old churches; the splendid woods; and curious dresses & big wooden shoes of the peasants, all combine to make the experience one which I shall never forget. If it were summer instead of winter; and if the roads were dry instead of being ankle deep in mud, mud, mud, I should do into raptures about it.

The green fields - even at this time of the year, a few days before Xmas - and the wonderful movement of troops, troops, troops, all seem like a moving picture. Here we meet with Englishmen speaking all the the dialects of the great country. Scotchmen, Irishmen, Welchmen; Australians from the other side of the world; Canadians from all parts of our beloved country, all jostling together in merry jest, and pranks, and in a Foreign country, where French is talked all around. It is surely a wonderful thing this war. The outcome of it, apart from its primary ending, will have a great effect on those who take part in it. The British, from all parts of our great Empire will be bound together wit ha bond that can never be broken. And the Allies will never forget their mutual suffering and fraternity. Surely a new and larger "brotherhood" will be created. The "state" will not then be the largest "unit", but we shall have as a unit, a whole concourse of nations. Perhaps nothing but a great war could have given us this.

But I must not philosophize. I want to ask your prayers, and the prayer of "our" circuit, that I may be brave and courageous in the face of dangers. I may not honour the great Master when facing death. Pray that God will make my spirit triumph over all my physical defects, and all will be well.

I am afraid I shall have to stop using the beautiful watch Cantuar gave me. Today in a "mock" bayonet charge I jumped into a trench, bayonet downwards, and broke the dial. I was very sorry, but expect that in such rough work as this, wrist watches are too delicate.

Now I will stop for a time. May God bless you in your work. Give my love and kindest greetings to all my old congregations, and tell them just what you think they would be glad to hear from my letters.

With kindest greetings to Mrs Aitkins & the children.

Your affectionate friend
Thos. W. Johnson.