Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-09-25
Pay Of Chaplains.

The public Press, with great unanimity
is denouncing the act of the Confe1el ate Con-
gress, which reduced the pay of Chaplains in
our armies from $50 to $50 per month. I'm
the North Carolina service the pay awarded
was $3.50 per month. The second named
sum 1851 though meagre and incompetent
to the support of the families Of many Chap
lains who entered expecting the largest sum
mentioned, was yet accepted and their Offices
held to by many ministers who had given up
ease Of home and family, in order that they
might be useful spiritual guides to our brave
soldiers exposed>to the dangers and tempta-
tons of camp life. But when their places
were SO moderated, and their positions thus
degraded by the pitiful stipend Of $50 per
month, many Of the best and most useful
men felt impelled, not only by selfrespect,
but by a christian obligation to look to the
support of their wives and children whom
they had left behind, to resign their places
as chaplains.
~ ~ Si"N " hih III luC SnuICu lIIcIl-
gencer, Of this city, the following appeal, ad,
dressed to President Davis on this subject
and hope it viii lead to the correction of tn,
injustice perpetrated upon one of, if not the
most useful Offices in the Army lists
To His Ercetlency, JEFFERSON DAVIS. Presi
dent Of the Confederate States
SHIT is a righteous war in which v
are engaged; and, because it is a righteou
war, God, from the first. has made bare Hi
arm for our defence, as is seen in the entir
exemption from casualty at Charleston. a
Bethel, in the preservation of the Navy Var
at Gosport, aud in the glorious victories {
Manassas and Springfield.
You have, from your high place, called L
as a nation to acknowledge this in a voice
Public Thanksgiving; and, in this way, Go
has been honored for His Signal i~nterpos
ton In our behalf. 1t is this suggestion, d
your part, Of Gods hand in this contest. th;
emboldens me TO say one word in behalf
those who arc peculiarly HIS officers. in Il
various regiments now in the field. The sma
pay Of the chaplains, is the subject Of unive
sal III The service requires cha
tains at all-and where are they so mu,
needed, as in this field of death ?-surel
those best qualified for the responsible duti
of the office, should be obtained. But.
many instances, these are excluded by Il
limited pay of a chaplain. No one, HAVING
family to support, can afford to go for fiji
dollars $50 90 per month. When God h
SO manifested His favor towards us. do ,
honor Hin, when we select these in His I
culiar service, as those on whom to begin
rigid economy?
speak not for myself, but for Others.
| am a chaplain, but not dependant on +
pay as a post Of usefulness, | have accepte,
chapIaincy. This to me. is the field of dul
because 1t seems the field of sickness a
death | know not what awaits me there.
But | am unwilling to enter upon its duti
without first calling your attention to
poor compensation of those bearing my co
mission. lnputting this dishonor upon thu
who represent Him, in this campaign. is
!, God, Himself, d~isho1ored
f With the very highest respect for yourse
l have the honor to beyour obidient serva
: c. Z. MGR.
:. Chaplain C. s. A