The record-union., 1898-05-04

bring on board with him number OF
/ curious wcCen. who seldom show tact.
One Scotch minister's first remark on
coming on board one Of our warshlos
was: Have you anything to drink?
believe in taking good things as they
come along" The Chaplain fastened
to reply that there was no liquor aboard
saying that there was none for the
visitor 1t may be added that by law
only wine and beer are allowed to be
taken on board our men-of-war.
The Chaplain of to-day is an alto
gether different parsonage from the
Chaplain of thirty, forty and fifty years
ago. Then you would have found 1t
difficult to know a Chaplain as such.
He was required to wear the uniform
OF commissioned officer, with sword
at his side. The Chaplain of those days
was most often a Low Church Episco-
palian. He was very low church; in
fact, so much so that the crew speedily
estranged from him, and the officers be-
came his boon companions. He passed
the bowl with as good a grace as any.
He knew the why's and Wherefores of
aces and spades. His services We're
brief and few in number.
only when the ship was cleared for
action, the great guns roared, and the
cockpit was filed with the dying did
the Chaplain become the ideal ships
spiritual adviser. To such gentlemen
Chaplains'' there were notable examples.
Times have changed. The Chaplain
wears the costume of the church. His
| rank as officer is retained with all its
privileges, but his sword is laid aside
tic III, +l,.a
Chaplain and Paymaster alike may
stand by their country on deck Slip
perry with blood A Chaplain in our
navy ranks as a Lieutenant. This en-
tltles him to regulated shore privileges,
and, though he has no so-called ship
duties, he may be called upon at court
mart1allng or in similar emergencies.
After long and faithful service the
chaplain may be promoted to the rank
OF Commander, which corresponds to
the rank of LieutenantCo Colonel in the
army The Chaplain of to-day strives
10 put himself in perfect sympathy up
f0rWard-With the creW-accounting
himself unworthy to cater merely to the
officers. He messes with the Wardroom
officers as of old, and enjoys their COM
pany to the full, but he appreciates
keenly the power for good which the
naval Chaplain has in his hands.
The Chaplain is a regular Govern
ment officer To enter the navy he
must file his application with the de-
partment in the same manner as would
man looking for a Postmastership
The Government accepts the applicant
on the strength of his record as a min
lister and as a man with noteworthy
qualifications for his position, regard
less of creed or dogma. A very absurd
scene took place not long ago, when
number of Presbyterians waited on
the President regarding the advantage
to be gained in appointing Presbyterian
ministers to naval chaplainces on the
ground that the Presbyterian Church
is the best suited to the needs of the
navy.
Church is concerned in none of the
Governments appointments. The de-
crease in the Episcopalian appoint
ments is due almost entirely to the
lessening of interest in the navy by
the Bishops 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.
who will be literally disposed to Off
GERS and crews, though firm in the ways
of right living. The Episcopal Church
needs all her available men who are
young, say the Bishops for the foreign
and domestic field ashore A High
Church Episcopalian naval Chaplain
makes the statement that as rule Ro-
man Catholic priests make the most
acceptable Chaplains.
Said veteran Chaplain who has been
in our navy over a score of years:
''Landsmen do not appreciate Jacks
good qualities. They regard him as a
jolly. happygo-lucky chap, tremen-
dously dissipated ashore and as much
as possible aboard. This is a great
mistake. Jack does drink But think
of the months that he perforce does
not drink Jack simple hearted, and
when ashore he wants to divide his
overmuch money with the first man he
meets. He meets number who are
glad to share with him, and the result
the streets. But l can say
from positive knowledge that there are
many men in every crew of our navy
who never drink, and a still greater
who drink very moderately.
expected from the life of force, blind,
which he is taught to lead.
Jack loves his country and his ship
with might and main. He will defend
his ship to his last breath-against an
other ship of his own navy, if neces-
sary Jack loves the sight and associ-
alton of his flag. remember on one
occasion when the crew of one of our
ships landed in Turkey. They bought
a barrel of beer, and beside it set Old
Glory. Any one who wanted a 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 on the island of St. Thomas, had
become hilariously drunk. and the
Judge sent after him a negro police off,
GER The sailor mounted a hogshead
and roared out in boatswain's voice:
In nv democratic country no man al
lows himself to be jugged by negro. |
and I'll be damned if I'll be! Go back |
to your Judge and tell him to send a |
white cop after me, and l will come !
along The white officer arrived. and |
the tar gracefully accompanied him to |
the station-house.
THE Chaplain is subject to the Cap /
tain's orders at all times. He may hold |
no services without orders to that effect |
from the commanding officer. When the |
Chaplain leaves the vessel for shore |
he leaves and returns in the or
7er of his rank. Going to shore the |
officers proceed from the lowest to high |
o,s6 in r.
der. There is no stated time for hold
n1, I'D iS the TPnPral |