The National tribune., 1894-02-01
@. A.R. CHAPLAINS.
The OrganIzation-Its Proposed Field -
Usefulness.
plains Of the G.A.R., attention !

4 IL =. IA. -
Is it not possible to awaken them to some sde-
quate conception of their high privilege and
| responsibility? Our opportunity will soon b
passed forever. Can We make these Chaplains
realize it2
| The first company to present itself for active
service in the Revolution was aroused and
| brought together By the appeals OF patriotic
ministers-and ali through that long struggle
of seven years the ministers exerted . COM
handing influence in arOusing patriotic senti-
ments securing enlistmeuts. cheering In die
aster directing in danger, consoling in sorrow,
and turning the hearts of all for indi gidual and
| National help TO the God OF battles. The ssme
was true in the late civil war. No factor was
more potent in all these directions than ths
| GOd-fearing, patriotic ministry of the land.
Why may not the thousands of 6. AR. Chap
| lains now exert such a commanding influence
| over the veterans committed to their care 7
| They can. Now is our opportunity. To-mog-
row Will be too late.
Some Chaplains realize this and are bsstir-
| ring themselves. Others seem ignorant Of or
Indifferent to, their high privilege and duty. Il
| is to these We appeal.
| Arouse yourselves! Help rs to help the men
growing weak and weary. and dropping out ct
the astonishing rate of 100 day.
How was it in the days of war; Did COM
| rade wounded, sick, or suffering ever appeal
| to you in vain? When he asked for drink
from your canteeu. a bareback from your hsver-
sack. or friendly lift from your stronger hand,
| did you turn deaf ear to his cry, or turn from
| him with Indifference? No, indeed YOu were
| too good soldier, too true cOmrade for that
Surely, to-day, comrades appeal for help
Comrades broken in body, wounded in spirit
suffering in soul, by their very attitude, II not
In words, beseech your friendly aid. What
answer will you make to them3 VIII yon
close your ears, pass on the other side, and
coldly leave them TO the kindlier sympsthles
of some outside Samaritan For the honor Of
our conradeship and our Christianity, let us be
the helpful Samaritans.
Let us make a united effort to do something
for our fstering comrades. There is no field
80 inviting and 80 promising for our wise e6ors
as this.
Write rs what you think about it; how best
to accomplish this work. Surely, if yOn are
q live, thinking man, you have some facts or
suggestions for this column that will be help
fu to other Chaplains aud the comrades Send
them to rs for the boys.
ON THE sKIRMIsH-LINE.
Among the live GAR. Chaplains is Rev
I. II. Hsgerty, ID. d., of st. Louis Chaplain Of
Ransom Post and of the Department Of Eis.
souri,. He was Chaplain in the war; and has
been unceasing in his activity in the GAR
and among the comrades since the war For
many years he has been Post Chaplain, and In
ali these years has scarcely been absent from
Post meetings. Chaplain Hagerty is deeply
interested in this work, and writes as follows;
" | think Chaplain, first of all, can be helpful
70 his Post by being true Christian gentle
man. Otherwise he will be reprOach and
stumbling block. Further, he can aid greatly
by being punctual at Post meetings, and BIZ
giving strict and intelligent attention to busi.
ness. Further, be can aid by the advocacy Of
industry. temperance. and good morals gene
rally. A good. honest. consistent Chaplain IN
the army was always respected, and was very
useful in the service. The same is true In the
GAR. Better no Chaplain than to have one
who is a reproach. Let the Chaplain be for.
ward in all good counsels and suggestions. and
back them up with consistent life, and be
will be Of great value to his Post"
Here is the ripe fruitage Of long and sue
cessful experience
Chaplain g. L. Dennis, Of ]. RICHTER Post
Eldred, Pa. also catches the spirit. and ssnds
good cheer: II am very much pleased to ard,
as published in our soldiers paper, TEE Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE, that an organization of the
GAR. Chaplains has been effected. / think
that the office of Chaplain is very importsns
and responsible One and should be filed, II
possible by conraie who is, if not minister.
q professed Christian. / think the time has
come whtn we ought to be more particular on
that point. Our ranks are thinning very rap
idly, and therefore, in view of the fact thas
we are all getting old. think the Office Of
Chaplain is very important and responsible
a.
Nifty our respoe sible office, and not be bound
merely by the ritual service. We can be Tsry
useful in the Post-rOOm and various other
places with the boys. by giving a word OF
counsel or reprOOf, and visiting our comrades
who may bs sick, or their families in times Of
sickness or suffering, or in the dying hour.
Thus may we fulfill our obligations as Chap
lains, and De in oar various Posts useful, and
the means of accomplishing much good"
Comrade E. II. Rogers of Chelsea, M:ss., 70
fred with the prospect Of an aroused Chap
Kinney:
~ have just read with profound satisfaction,
in THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, of the formation
of the Chsplains' organization. and also Of
your leadership. You will not need that
send you q long letter, to understand jast
what ! would have you do; that is, TO enla,Ss
the conception of the present opportunity Of
the ex-Chaplains from the personal to the gen.
eral / feel that it is a trouble with the GAR
ITSELF that it has not risen into any true con.
ception of the results of its own work"
Chaplain-in- Chief A. V. Kendr' ok, stirring,
energetic, devout minister and cOmrade, Is
heartily with US in this endesvor to dc come
thI.:g for the comrades AMI tie Order and
writes words of good cheer. Thus tho lsayen
is working. Who will be next to take Ep she
pen and gospel sword
would like the opinion of 1000 Chap
lains and other com AIDES as to the probable
of he veterans who are active
Christians I am sure those who have nos
considered il will be astonished at the large
D. rcentum thus in the army of our God
doing good service. What is your estimate,
based upon your ObservationP TIE Chaplsins
of the civil WAT are growing old; most have
Joined the bivoGac on the Othe~ side, while
those remaining feeble, yet full of eDthEsi-
asm and "reminiscences. Will no. such write
Us brief accounts of their war experiences, in.
cdents, etc.f The comrades will be delighted
to hear from these ChaplaiUs who amid the
pillows of war. WIN their confidence and love.
Our good Chaplain Adams of the 12lst N. =.
said that at one time during the war not al
officer of the regiment drank any Lind Of Ia.
Did my other Chaplain have like
experienced What have the old Chaplains 20 ssS
about the prayer and preaching services thry
held, and the boys" attending them7 What
have the comrades to say about their Chaplains
their preaching their conduct during the warf
Write us. Ask us questiOns.-D. Z. LOWELL.
Fort Riley, KAN, President Chaplains' Organt
satioD.
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