The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-29

perfect sympathy up forward-with the
crew-accounting himself unworthy(to cater
merely to the officers. He messes with the
wardroom officers as of old, and enjoys
their company TO the full. but he appre-
ciates keenly the power for good which the
naval chaplain has in his hands.
Inc chaplain is regular government OFF,
GER To enter the navy he must file his ap-
pHcatlon with the department in the same
manner as would a man looking for post
mastership. The government accepts. the
applicant on the strength of his record
a minister and as a man with noteworthy
qualifications for his position, regardless of
creed s,T or dogma. A very absurd scene took
pace not long ago, when a number of
Presbyterians waited on the President re-
garding the advantage TO be gained in APP
pointing Presbyterian ministers to naval
chaplaIncies on the ground that the Pres
byterian Church is the best suited to the
needs of the navy.
Church is concerned in none of the gov
ernments appointments. The decrease in
Episcopalian appointments is due almost
ehtlrely 10 the lessening of interest in the
navy by the bishop of the church. They
know, as every one knows, that young
men should be chosen for the chaplaincies
men who are not set in deep grooves. VINO
VIII be literally disposed to officers and
crews. though firm in the ways of right
hvlng. The Episcopal Church needs all her
dqVdlIaoie men who are young, say the
bishops, for the foreign and domestic field
ashore. high church Episcopalan naval
chaplain makes the statement that as a
rule Roman Catholic priests make the most
acceptable chaplains.
said "a veteran chaplain who has been in
our navy over a score of years:
L1sandsmen do not appreciate Jacks good
quantles. They regard him as a jolly, hap
py-go-lucky chap, tremendously dissipated
ashore and as much as possible aboard.
This is great mistake. Jack does drink
But think of the months he perforce does
not drink Jack is supplemented, and
when ashore he wants TO divide his over
with he first
He meets a number vino are glad to share
with him, and the result is Jack is often
seen wandering through the streets But
can say from positive knowledge that there
are many men in every crew of our navy
Wlo never drink, and still greater number
who drink very moderately. Jack is rough
and-ready. This is to be expected from the
NE OF force blind, unresisting, which he is
taught to lead.
THE SAILORS LOYALTY.
Jack loves his country and his ship with
might and main He will defend his ship to
his last breath-against another ship of his
own navy if necessary. Jack loves the sight
and association Of his flag 1 remember one
occasion when the crew of one of our ships
landed in Turkey. They bought barrel of
beer, and beside it set old glory. Any one
who wanted drink was first made to
salute the flag, though he were the Sultan
himself. The simple sailors saw no harm
in what they were doing. They really
thought they were doing a deed of fealty
Another time an American sailor, landed
hlariously drunk, and the judge sent after
nm negro police officer. The sailor
mounted hogshead and roared cut in a
boatswain's voice, In my democratic coun-
try no man allows himself to be jugged by
a negro, and I'll be damned if I'll be, Go
back to your judge and tell him to send a
Whlte cop after me- and | will come along
The white officer arrived, and the tar grace
1u lily accompanied him to the station house.
The chaplain is subject to the captains
orders at all times. He may hold no serv-
ices without orders to that effect from the
commanding officer. When the chaplain
leaves the vessel for shore he leaves and
returns in the order of his rank Going
70 shore the officers proceed from lowest to
highest, and coming aboard in reverse order.
Ihere is no stated time for holding services
aboard. 1t is the general custom to hold
morning prayer each day. A more elaborate
service always takes place on the first Sun
day of the month, when general muster is
held At this time every man aboard is
spick and span, the laws for the better gov
eminent of the navy are read to the men
with barred heads and a preaching service
is generally introduced. There is almost al
ways preaching on Sunday. The men seem
really to enjoy the services unless they are
made painfully long
The duties of the chaplain are set forth
to the least detail in the, regulations of the
navy In time of action the chaplain's place
primarily is with the sick and wounded.
ThePe are many hero chaplains on record
Chaplain Chadwick of the Maine is one
familiar to all. Another was the chaplain
who gave up his life on the Inflated ship
Victoria which went down off Tripoli. This
chaplain carried men out of the sick bay
on his shoulders until death came to him.
The chaplain of one of our vessels wrecked
off Samoa escaped most miraculously and
holds record of great heroism.
The pay of chaplainS when at sea is So 500
a year, on shore $1,000, and while on leave
or waiting orders $1,000 But the chaplains
are liable, in amounts according to rank
for expenses of mess and for entertainment
The mess bill will run from $25 to $50 per
month, according as the ships officers live
and the entertainment contingent may be
very heavy if the ship is at the opening
OF German ship canal or if anchored
where some high dgnitaries are likely to
come often to pay visits
II is the Judgment of one of the oldest
chaplains in the navy that the personnel of
the men is growing better. He says there is
far less drinking than twenty years ago
FEWER crimes, and a better grade of men in
all branches of the service. He thinks the
Improvement especially marked among the
able SesEnen, and that when there is greater
religious progress made il will be forward
He says the officers may follow; they will
never lead. The influence of naval chaplains
among the men is growing, in part because
better men are able better to appreciate
noble things, and in part because there are
chaplains better fitted for their peculiar and
difficult tasks. The number of naval chan
all our ships may be supplied.