The National tribune., 1892-11-03
10 dear.
REPORT OF NATIONAL CHAPLAIN.

REPORT OF NATIONAL CHAPLAIN.
OFFICE OF NATIONAL CHAPLAIN, W.R.C.,
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. July %. 1892. J
Mrs. ELLA CoBEAN. National Secretary, W.R.C.
MADAM: Complying with the Rules and Regula-
tons of Order, it becomes my pleasant duty to
submit the following report concerning the branch
of work to which have been called.
Words can add nothing to the ssnctity Of the oc
casion which invests the department of Chaplain
of the Woman 8 Relief Corps with it's holy and
Heavensent mission. In all the world it has not
and never had a counterpart. 1t is the Outgrowth
of all the best and highest qualities which the Gre
aor fit TO implant in the heart OF his noblest
creation. Undying love, loyalty, PATRIOTISM graf
itude devotion and the martyr spirit of Him who
could offer up life for the good Of those who
knew him not. All these and much more con-
tanned in the work, both physical and spiritual of
the faithful band OF sisters who year by year bring
their sheaves to lay at the feet of the husbandpan
and wait for the Well done faithful servant" For
the last months they have been failing plaintveIy
upon my ear, and with fidelity and loving recon-
mendations strive to pass them on to you.
In April last suggested to the Presidents of De-
partmens. Provisional Departments and Detached
Corps, that the time was fast approaching for the
first stems to be taken, and that 1t was to be hoped
that all Corps would be engaged in active service
Memorial Day"
About the middle of May, in accordance with the
instructions of the ninth Convention, l issued
circular letter to all Chaplains of Departments,
Provisional Departments and Detached Corps and
inciosed with it blanks to be filed and special
mited. A few days later additional blanks were
sent to all. Naturally such frequent reminders
aroused TO greater activity and brought numerous
responses, assuring of their great interest aud
desire for prompt and efficient action. Notwith-
standing all these precautions. June 20 found in
my possession reports from only seven Depart
ments aud Is Detached Corps, many Of these in
compete while from all the land came
apologies and pitiful appeals for an extension of
time. pleading entire inability to secure satisfactory
reports, one Department urging the fact that the
blanks had only been received for distribution on
the 9Th of June. thus lea wing them but u days i'm
which to distribute, have Corps reports formulated
mud raj ed Iafa and ah ttaIf IN Ia
partment President for approval, and to be in my
hands. In the newness aud inc xperience of my
any regulation or order contravening pance
with this apparently reasonable, request on the
part Of Officers manfestly striving TO perform full
duty. Accordingly, on the evening Of that day
letter was sent by my direction to Department
Chaplans. extending the time 10 days. e.. to July
or If necessary to July Is, earnestly requesting
them 10 write at once TO all non reporting Corps
for an immediate report, and to continue writing
till the desired answer was received.
On learning, some days later, through General
Order. that it expected that all reports would
be at National Headquarters on the 18th, at once
wrote and telegraphed to those whose reports had
not been received requesting their speedy action,
that might comply 40 far possible with Cen
eral Orders. All this has necesstated my part
the writing and sending of over 400 letters. postal
able TO report that the gratifying results have
richly repaid all effort. Reports are herewith sub.
mited from the entire 20 Departments six Pro.
visonal Departments and % out of "a Detached
Corps. thus leaving but six Detached Corps not
heard from, viz, the Corps at Phoenix Arz.; Tai
lapoosa Ga; Washington, n. c.; Knoxville, Tenn,
and Berkeley and Richmond in Virginia.
The faithful efforts of our sister ChRplains-often
laboring under difficulties which we but imper-
fectly comprehend, located, it may be- in n
isolated district with sparse facilities for infurma-
ton, heavily burdened with family responsibilities
and lightly weighted with this worlds goods, and
yet earnestly striving to do the Masters work
dead-appeals to my heart for quckened synpa-
thy seldom felt In the busy walks OF life.
tl,ntf a;
sister successor may be lightened would venture
the following recommendations:
l. That obsolete blanks be recalled finding as we
do that at least three different issues in crcua-
ton. in some OF which important questions are
omitted.
q That specal instructions 10 Department Chan. |
lains wisely suggested by my honored predeces.
sor the issuance of which at present by action Of
last National Convention. devolves upon the Ma
made u part Of the Memorial Day blanks them
selves. Among these may be mentioned the plac- |
ing of Corps in numerical order on the blank in |
order that missing report may be easily and
obtained, or checke ed AS not reported.
8. That the monosyllables. Yes or No. be used
whenever possible.
figures be stated in answer to questions requiring
given numbers; as, How many soldiers graves
:" nearly all" adds nothing to the summary
5. The general misunderstanding of the question:
" How many members graves were marke ed with
our flag and decorated?" is clearly shown by the
impossible responses given in at least one-lhrd of
the reports; Corps Of 25 members claiming have
thus marked 125 graves. This misunderstanding
suggests leading question, viz. what was the
origin and object of the day, and what graves did
it propose TO decorator"
6. 1t would greatly facilitate the labor of the
National Chaplain. and tend to the correctness of
the statements rs n whole, If each Department
Chaplain, herself. would prepare and combine tho
remarks of her Corps Chnp!ains into summary of
suitable character and length for publication
Divided amongst the 30 Department Chaplains
this labor would fall comparatively light upon
ala lx,i al
son, with its ever-nnreasng ratio, il must finally
result in task which no officer would willingly
assume.
The special reports and summary show an in-
creasng interest in the day, its objects and work
Hoping that my little part In this great work
may be found acceptable as it is willingly rem
dered. remain yours in F. c. and L.
CLARA BARTON
National Chaplain W.RC