The record-union., 1895-05-13
AN ARMY CHAPLAIN'S ADDRESS.
Rev. G. C. Bateman's Sermon Last
Evening.
The Soldier In His Barracks and How
His Confidence is Gained and
His Good Sought.

Rev. Q. G. Bateman, q Chaplain in the
United States Army, preached at the
Ninth-street Baptist Church last night.
He was, a number Of years ago, resi-
dent of Sacramento, and alluded, during
his sermon, TO the changes that have
taken place since then.
Instead of preaching set Sermon he
SAID, he had thought it might interest his
hearers more if he should tell them some
thing about the army and army work.
He had been a chaplain for i've years.
having been for the last four years at
Fort Assineboine, up near the boundary
of the United States. He had in his
charge about 100 soldiers and three teach
ers, for 1t is the policy of the Government
to teach the soldiers to read and write.
By recent orders none are enlisted unless
they are American citizens or have de-
clared their intention of becoming such,
and can read and write English. This
regulation will do away with the most
important part of the Chaplain's work.
The post is desolate one exposed to
the wind, and the temperature some
times falls as low as 81 below zero. 1t is,
however, the best place for the chaplain's S
work in serving his country and his God.
q very matter-of-fact individual, with
whom ordinary methods of inculcating z
religion will not prevail. To reach
them one must adapt himself TO his sur
roundings. There are thirty post chap
lains and four regimental chaplslns, who
are appointed by the President. for life
or during good behavior, with the rank
of finfantry Captain, and case of dis
missal is very rare. The respect the
soldiers have fora chaplain is indicated
by the titles they give him among them
selves. If he stands well in their es-
stimati0n they speak of him as Tho
chaplain" Ii they do not like him very
well they call him the sky Pilot" and
If they have no faith in him at all they
call him the sky Pirate" Ii they are
Indifferent about him they often speak
OF him as Holy Joe," although they do
not use the term disparaglngly.
If the chaplain is a man among men
they come to him with their troubles, but
l. week after week passes and none OF
them come to see him there III ust be some
thing wrong, either on his part or theirs.
1t is not very easy task for superior in
Office to do good among his interiors, but
it can be and is done.
He himself had endeavored to present
the Scriptures SO that the soldiers would
listen to them. AS they were always IN
terested in their profession he took for
''Men and Guns" AS he saw the soldiers
polishing up their guns for inspection,
the thought came to him one day that the
soldier becomes like his gun, as a man
generally becomes like his business. 1t
was an object lesson, he thought, that
gave him an opportunity TO draw COM
PARSONS and he found that the soldiers
listened to him. He likened the stock to
the human body and impressed on them
the fact that theV should take care of their
bodies.
He told them that as they were careful
to keep the stock in good shape, so they
should be careful of their bodies. lest in
jury should make them less efficient
The locks he likened to the snap, the
electrical force, the force of propulsion in
men. The energies that are given 10 us
benefit US in proportion to how wisely
we use them. The barrel he likened to
the temper; If they had none, they We're
worthless, but there must be control of
temper-it must be rightly directed.
The general impression of the United
States soldier is that he has no RESPONSE
bility-no force OF character. 1t Is not
SO. At first, after the war, anyone, drunk
or sober, was enlisted. and disgrace was
thrown on the service.
Now it is different. "a better class of
men are enlisted and many Christian
young men are among them. 1t requires
courage to avOw Christ III the barracks,
but more and more are doing it. People
from all ranks Of life are found among
recruits. He came across young fell
low, a Russian prince. who through
financial reverses enlisted.
It is the aim OF the Government to
make the army as moral as possible, and
associations have been formed to aid the
ohaplains in doing SO.