Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-13

leads me to believe that the standard of
fitness has been kept high by the appoint
ing power,
The regulations require that an applicant
for appointment as chaplain be between
the ages of twenty-one and twenty-five
years, and minister in good standing in
his denomination. In addition to these
qualification practice requires the hearty
and unequivocal Endorsement of high eccle-
siaStical authorities. who are willing to as
sumo good degree of moral responsibility
for the appointment. Political influence of
a high order may be used to bring the ap
plicant to the attention of the President
and Secretary of the Navy, but can avail
very little beyond this. The chaplain, once
appointed, ranks as a commissioned officer
of the staff. messes in the ward room
when on shipboard, and is entitled to pri-
vate state room in the ward room quarters.
He wears no uniform, and in this is the
sole exception to the rule which obtains
on all the ships of cur navy, and applies to
all officers and enlisted men, from the adj
miral of the fleet to the humblest mess at
tendant. Nothing :nvidious is involved in
this discrimination. and it is to be pre-
sumed that if a majority of the chaplains
were to ask for uniform it would be
granted. The chaplains, as rule, dress
in ordinary clerical suits, the coats close
buttoned, and in blouse or frock, according
to circumstances. In conducting Divine
service, each chaplain is permitted to en-
plcy the order used in his own denomina-
ton, and may also use the vestments of
his church, If any.
Various Denominations.
The chaplains at present comprising the
corps represent nearly all of the larger
denominations Of the country. and this in
no uncertain way emphasizes the fact that
the government in its ecclesiastical APP
po:ntn1ents does not propose to encourage
any denomination to pose as the state
church. The Methodists lead, with eight
chaplains, the Episcopalians are second,
with six; Baptists, three; Roman Catholics.
three; Disciples, two; Presbyterians, one.
At present there is one vacancy, for which
l understand d Presbyterian clergyman,
now travelling in Europe, has been hoEi-
mated. 1t may be noted that the three
Roman Catholic chaplains, who. by the
way, are highly esteemed in the service.
were appointed by Mr.. Cleveland during his
two terms as President. A large number
Catholic faith. and it is manifestly fair
that this church should have representation
IL the chaplains corps
In the work of the chaplaiLs the spirit
of the Constitution, which guarantees to
every man the right to worship God accord
ing to the dictates of his own conscience
is observed, and attendance at religious
services upon the part of officers and meH
is entirely voluntary. One of the chaplains
assured ME that he greatly appreciated this
fact, as he is sure that his audience is pres
ent by choice, and the probability of max
ing an impression for good greatly in
creased.
Stand Very High.
After considerable careful inquiry 1 find
that the chaplains have the respect and
confidence of their brother officers and of
the enlisted men in a very marked degree.
They arc mostly college men, and in point
of intelligence, piety and ministerial ability
will compare favcrably with any clerical
body of ECU size in civil life. They are
open to many temptations, which might
lead to a sill yhe relaxation of austere piety,
blu: II this has occurred in any single in
stance l have failed to hear of it. Being
for the express purpose of teaching morals
and exemplifying religion, they are watched
by many keenly critical eyes, and misstep
would be quickly noted and slowly con-
dcned Questionable moral acts may be
tolerated in teacher of mathemati tics sea-
manship or gunnery. but never in a teacher
of morality. No one seems to realize this
more fully than the chaplains themselves,
and any idle stories which may imply the
contrary may be set down as galley
yarns entirely unworthy of credence.
While at Fort Monroe recently 1t was NV
privilege to attend divine service on board
our great battle ship Indiana. the chaplain
of which is Rev. w. G. Cassard who until
NJ. E. Church in this city, and well known
to Methodists in Washington. Promptly at
1890 am. the Church flag was run up
alongside of the stars and stripes on the
bell next followed. and the hurrying of
nimble feet down iron ladders through nu-
merous hatchways was heard.
A Service ON BOARD.
On going forward to the large starboard
mess hall found that the '.jackies'' had
rugged church" A large stand had been
draped with the union Jack and constituted
the pulpit. A portable organ had been put