The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-01-26
HEADQUARTERS BULLETIN.
Chaplain-in-Ch Chief Lowell Issues Circular
10 ChaplainS.

10 Chaplains.
The following exhortRtion to the Grand Army
Chaplans has been issued by Chaplain-in-Chef ID.
II. Lowell, and wifi be disseminated TO every Post
i'm The Order at early date:
Fort RILEY, KAN.
MY DEAR CHAPLAIN: beg your most serious
consideration OF lie following;
J. We Chaplains charged with ineticiency'
of being q useless ornament, sort of fifth wheel
in the Order. Whether we are justly so charged
will not attempt to say. want all the Chap'ains
60 rise in their might, snd, whatever may have
been true la the past show to the most skepilcal
that the Chapl,ins of thi: year cannot thus be
charged Justly. We have aDout 900 Chaplains in
the GAR. What a mighty impression we cFn
make on the Order 'his year if we exert ourselves
wisely and unitedly. The GAR has highly
hcnored US; lei us by efforts prove worthy OF
their confidence We stand on high vantage
ground rare opportunity is ours, and in the orai-
nary course Of events will coon he deprived OF
these. Let Us seize our opportunity to help The
Order aud impress for good our comrades Lei US
strike row wii,e we can do most good
H. To the live Chaplain, with warm heart Rhd
krYt, eve avenues OF p-efuiness will open every
hand I hardly need hint at these, bat, la secure
more uniformity and nggresaireHess, permit me 10
make a few suggestions:
let Cur most worthy Commander -iu-Clef has
opened The year with the baIle-cry OF The .asi
Gonlrade for the G. A. r. let la every way
help ia this good eHdeayor- sur HD the Posts, All
the members OF the GAR, 10 rally TO this work
Of recruiting.
In the DAYS of war our Ministers were foremost
In recruiting the army. We can DO the same
,Iow We are counted leaders in our communities,
and should now catch the spirit ana move cat IN
the advance. Recruiting should not he confined
10 those who have never been In the Order, but as
well to those who for any cause have dropped out
Most OF the latter have been dropped because they
have not been able 10 pay dues. Let US see that
they are renstRted Immediately. Ii Is shame
shoul1 he derived of The benefits
of membership ia the @. AR. because he Is poor.
What would you think Of church that would
kick members out because OF poverty? Gel the
dues OF The men RENTED, aud raise Il iund 10 keep
their dues paid.
Some have gone because they feel neglected.
Put your warm. beating heart close up to such,
and let them feel that they are respected and
beloved comrades. Some of the comrades are not
what they should be because OF drink, etc. While
we wish they different, let Us not turn cold
shoulder TO them. Let us have large charity for
them, for they our comrades and stood closely
by our sides in the dark days They were once
heroes. Bring and keep them la The oIuer, anu
do them good. Eternity may reveal that such
action may have redeemed them.
I'd. Give the boys personal example OF fidelity
20 the lder by your presence ht Post meetings.
funerals of comrades, participation M DaIade-,
Caupfires, Encampmenis, etc. You are busy men,
as know from experience, but take time now
while your example will stir enthusiasm and help
the Order.
Sd. Cooperate with and encourage those two
noble and kindred organizations, viz, the Sons OF
Veterans and the Wonan's Relief Corps.
4lh. See THAI Memorial Day and the Sunday pre-
ceding obser we'd in every town and hamlet.
See that Memorial Day is kept day of holy and
sacred memories. Let il not be desecrated by be-
ing turned into a day Of mirth and sports. reso-
tuition offered in Tie Post meeting or a request
from you in the public press will nearly always
prevent the Dissertation OF the day.
5th. Often visit the sick comrades and those in
need and see Thai they relieved, aud THAI none
suffer from neglect.
9Th. An organization OF old Army Chsplains ha.
been formed. At the late Encampment these
Chaplains held daily religious meetings for the
comrades. BE present at the next Eacainpment II
possible. and aid this worthy effort. Write Rev.
r. H. Hagcny, OF 81. Louis, Mo, President, and
see how you can help him.
7llI. See that the flag floats over every school
house in the land, and that one day III the year is
given TO teaching of patriotism in our public
schools
Glib. Get the Posts out 20 church often and preach
90 them a. only q wErm-hearted comrade can.
9th. Don't miss opportunity wisely aud point
edly 10 make religious appeals to the veterans.
They will hear and heed you if done tenderly
from heArt full Of love. TIE boys are thoughtful
and serious in these days, when the fact is con-
slRnlly before them Of the fast thinning ranks aud
they reaiize that quickly the whole O A r. will he
wiped out hy death 90 for these men straight,
and you will be surprised, as j have Oft been to
how tender they are, and ready for your wise
and loving appeals.
IO.h See that the children have some part Oh
Memorial Day, Sunday services preceding Memo
rial Day, and all GAR. occasions. A word
from The Chaplain will secure all the above, If
offered ia the right spirit.
i'm. Every department tlapialn 6hO0lG pro-
a book and keep n careful record OF ali reig-
ious services etc. held ia his Department. Such
record viii be OF great value 10 our children, il
viii be the only record OF the religious side Of the
G.. AR
vi. Remember that this is your day OF oppor-
tuniiy. The Order las put you on duty. Your day
will soon be gone. do your work well and now.
What mighty results these 500 Chaplains can
achieve during this year among the boys IL alive
their opportunity. Pardon my zeal Il seem too
enthusiastic aud ask too much of you. Think Of
who you are, the position you hold. the swift de.
parture Of your opportunities the men you have
deal with. Tie field invites IL j. already white
40 the harvest AitinE the reaper What ask Of
you ] faithfully trying 10 do myself Co
operate with NE, for Will not Ask OF you what
viii not DO myself. viii ! ask you To 20
where will HOt lead. Follow your leader Is al
ssk.
VII. You will readily observe that much of the
above IL especially applicable to Pest Chaplaius
Please IN some ay gel the substance OF the above
before every Post Cha plain IN your Depart ID eut
with such other suggestions a. may occur to you.
IA. Our motto is: Every Chaplain a. il, aud
ALWAYS At a."
Very faithfully yours IN r., C. and L.
u. AZ. LOWELL Chapiain-ln-C CHEF, GAR