The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-05-24
NOT AN EMPTY HONOR.

|
NOT AN EMPTY HONOR.
| To the Virginia Department GAR. Chap
lains belong the honors.
Chaplain Taylor Richmond, of Lumberport,
| w. Va, has just organized the first Department
| Chaplains' Association, auxiliary to the Ma
| tional. All hail, West Virginia! May others
| quickly fall into line.
| Wake up Department Chaplains, and organ
| ize your Chapans. There is much for US to
do, and we need CO. cooperation. There has been
| thus far, so far as we know but one criticism
| of this GAR. Chaplains movement, and that
| can hardly be called criticism, only an ex-
| preston of wonder what 1t is for and what it
| can accomplish.
To those who have not followed this move.
| ment and are therefore, in the old rut of doing
| nothing and thinking that there is nothing for
| a Chaplain to do. let US say that there are now
| 5000 Chsplains in the GAR. Just think what
| a power for good these 5000 leaders may be.
We do not believe that the Office of Chaplain is
| an empty honor We hold that it is an Office
of honor, but also one of great trust of I'M.
measured responsibility, of unequalled oppor-
tunity, and that Chaplains should do some
thing-measure up to their responsibility, en-
deavor to fulfill their obligations and appreciate
and improve their privilege.
Think who these men are over whom we are
placed. Most of them are religious men. They
are in most cases poor, broken in health, grow
ing feeble, sad and lonely because of the
rapidly dropping out of the ranks of com rades;
serious by the knowledge that lfe's journey is
nearing the end. They are class of men most
susceptible to sympathy. kindly dealing and
religious help. They are as field of grain
ready for the harvesting, waiting and glad to
be helped by honest and wise efforts.
Who can do this work better than comrade
Chaplains? The Chaplains who have tried to
mold and direct morally and religiousy til cir
comrades have found them apprecative and
ready to receive such help. Remember, COM
rade Chaplains, how soon 1.-THE boys" will be
gone, how soon our opportunity to reach them
will have passed forever.
Out of these and similar considerations was
born this organ izaton of the GA z. Chaplains.
We desire means of communication, a means
by which to reach and stir all Chaplains. and
thus secure appreciation Of their opportunity,
activity, and cooperation. Much in this direc-
tion has already been accomplished, enough
certainly to warrant all efforts thus far made.
Such men as Chaplain C. C. McCabe, familiar
with their needs and having warm hearts
toward their comrades join heartily in this
move. Chaplain McCabe writes: Count me
in as both a paying and praying member of
your association" This is characteristic of
Chaplain McCabe. He enters with all his heart
into any and every good work; and, therefore,
though one of the busiest men, joins Us, and
has already sent as two articles for publication
in this column.
We beg of you, Chaplains, to awake to the
possibilities in this open field of toil-to the
speedy closing of this door of opportunity.
The Chaplain's position in these days is freight
ed with responsibility and privilege 1t is the
most important position in the gift of the
Grand Army of the Republic. Join with US in
the good work.
DEPARTMENT CHAPLAINs.
Rev. Fl. B. Cady, Chaplain of Rhode Island
Department. has just issued roster of all the
Post Chaplains in his Department. He sends
this to each Chaplain, with the following: Cor
respond with each other and become acquainted,
and find out what other Chaplains are doing
for the benefit of their Posts, and by that means
make the Chaplaincy of your own Post more
efficient" This is an excellent scheme-good
in many ways. l venture to say that Chap
lain Cady will get full and early report from
every Chaplain in his Department On Memorial
Day exercises.
MEMORIAL DAY.
1t will be noticed that nearly every letter in
this symposium has urged the necessity Of
keeping Memorial Day from Dissertation.
These warnings are timely. We should heed
them. If each Post or every Chaplain were to
publish an urgent request in the local paper
to the public not to engage in or allow these
sports, games, ETC., in nearly every case it
would be needed. Try it.
FROM THE cHAPLAIN-IN-CHIEF.
I would make the following suggestion in
regard to the observance of Memorial Day:
Let every member of the Grand Army and
of its kindred organizations use all the in
huence at their command to stop the iucreas-
ing tendency to make May 80 holiday instead
of holy day.
Insist upon the observance of Memorial SUM-
day as well as Memorial Day. May 80 should
have as much religious significance as Thanks
giving Day, and by no means can that end be
attained so well as by the observance OF the
preceding Sabbath.
Tn GAR. should have precedence in the |
obser sauces and ceremonies peculiar to the day.
Where there are several cemeteries in city, |
details from the various Posts Camps, and |
Corr, should decorate the graves In the MORN |
ing, Dut in the afternoon all should unite in q |
joint observance, with appropriate exercises. |
There is influence in numbers. In large cities |
it perhaps is not so important to do this, as
a lal e attendance can be assured at several |
points.
When possible, speakers should be selected |
from the Grand Army or the Sons of Veterans.
The school children should always have part
IN the ceremonies of the day. Teach them
patriotism and love and loyalty to the flag
ana 20 tne country. 1ney Can Batner MOWERS,
sing in chOruses give rectations, and assist
n the decorating Never forget them.
Camps of the Sons of Veterans, when possible,
should furnish firing-squads and do escort duty
when requested, but always hold themselves
subordinate to the Grand Army, unless they
nave been assigned some cemetery at which
hey are expected to take full charge of the
ervices.
In cities where the local Post, Corps, or Camp
bears the name of a soldier buried in the local
services bearing upon his life and
remarks in his eulogy are at times beneficial.
You will appreciate the fact that these ex-
,rcises must be influenced by local environ
nents and conditions. No set rules can be es-
but the above will indicate in the
main the ideas, which have not the space to
enlarge upon.
l should be especially glad to note that the
Meeting of the Post and Camp in Joint serv-
CO." similar to Memorial service L" which
lave arranged for the use of Sons of Veterans,
vas encouraged.
Assuring you of my sympathy and my
earnest desire to cooperate with you in any
hing tending to give more general observ-
nee and deeper significance to this day dedi-
ated to the soldier dead,
am, sir, yours Loyalty in F., c., and L.,
E. WELDON YOU'VE,
Chaplain in Chief, S. of V.