In 1940 The United States congress passed the Selective Training and Service Act, establishing the first peace time draft in the country's history. This act allowed for conscientious objectors (C.O.s) to be exempt from combat service, but it required other contributions from these indivduals. Those who objected to the practice of fighting could serve as non-combatant military personnel, but those who felt that war was too objectionable to support in even an ancillary role were required to serve in civilian public service camps (C.P.S.). Unlike non-combatants these indivduals received no salaries and were required to provide funds for their own upkeep. Originally these camps were run by the National Service Board for Religious Objectors (N.S.B.R.O), a combined effort of the three historic peace churches. By 1943 the draft had expanded and the government began to operate its own CPS camps. Accounts of the government run "Germfask" camp are contained in the collection. If an objector could not supply the costs for his own upkeep he would rely on the aid of his church. Although the Congregational Church was not considered one of the historical peace churches it did officially recognize conscientious objection as a religious right and sought to support its objectors. Substantial portions of this collection are finnancial correspondance requesting donations, and collated financial records. Many public figures and indivduals felt or fostered resentment towards objectors. This is evidenced within the collection in letters requesting aid being returned by pastor's who disagree with rights of the objectors. Equally many who might have disagreed wrote in expressing their support of the C.O.s rights, expressing the complicated relationship of 20th century society to this phenomenon. Conditions in the camps were not always good, and some of this colleciton documents the feelings of isolation, fear and neglect that some of the C.O.s felt.