The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-06-27
ARMY CHAPLAINS.
They Have Passed Away but Their Works
EHdure.

n
Esdure.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: If anyone
has not taken pains TO think he..will be aston
ished to see low few of the old army Chaplains
are remaining Nearly all have gone. The
reason for this is, j suppose, that they were
mostly men in middle life when they enlisted,
while many Of the soldiers were young men
who had not used the razor nor engaged in man.
hoods duties. A Chaplain had to be a man
who had entered the ministry, as a rule, and,
OF course was beyond the days OF boyhood.
This train of thought was brought most forcibly
TO my mind some years ago. when we organ
lied a Chaplains' Association in this Depart
ment. We did not find as many as the fingers
on the hands.
In Detroit. the year after, we found but few
more in the National Encampment. We have
never found many in any Encampment One
Chaplain told me be made the call in State
for the army Chaplains TO stand up, and not
one answered 10 the cab. We have tried TO
keep mp our organization but ii shows our pow
erty to a most alarming extent
They have answered the last roll-call and
are no longer on earthly camping grounds.
Their works and worth will never be written
mp in this world. Many stories are told at the
Chaplain's expense, and yet. in many instances,
if the question were asked Would you prefer
TO go 10 the field again without Chaplain? the
men would say, No. no, They had very hard
parishes to cultivate and sometimes no one to
help them, but many to oppose and deride
them.
When the boys were in trouble and wanted
q counselor, one in whom they could confde,
did they not more frequently find him in the
Chaplain than in any other manf II bad news
came from home, that mother was dead. or the
wife or baby was sick, to whom would they 70
soon and tell their griefs as the Chaplain?
il they wanted letter written home to mother
wife or friend, did not the Chaplain generally
receive a csllf
When we were in Washington, d. c., Gen.
Butler told Us Chapains in an address, that be
knew Of the army officers and their value, and
be thought that real good Chaplain was the
most ueeful officer In the army, but that if the
Chaplain WAS goody-goody kind OF fellow,
away with him. Such was that strong mans
opinion. Who says he was not right? Bat
most OF them have gone 10 their reward and be-
yond the Jokes and slurs Of men and boys
We have Chaplains in Posts, Depsrtrnerts
and National Encampments yet. They have
positions to occupy, IN name or for the benefit
OF the men. IL the Chaplain is man of char
acter, reFerent IN department pious in life, and
a pattern TO men in religious life, my obserya-
ton is that Chaplain Of that character is
known and respected an officer and man. II
be should fail in any OF these departments. then
be may very likely be the sport and football
OF al about him.
j would most earnestly plead with every
Chaplain, 10 whatsoever position be may be-
try 10 MI the position creditaby. Honor your
Office when on duty or in business Let us re-
member we have in peculiar manner 10 90
with God for ourselves and those we have TO
represent. We may jest and make fun Of men
and the work they give us to do, but who is SO
careless as TO sport with the Maker Of Heaven
and Earth and the Judge Of Men? Let us all
try to hold up in honor ana sacred position the
name OF Chaplain. Veterans, you cannot afford
70 make sport Of your Chaplains in war or in
GAR. Posts.-T ii. HAGERTY. Chaplain-in-
Chief GAR