The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-26
SERMON TO THE BATTERY
PRIVATE HENDERSON breaches To
HIS OWN COMRADES.
Occupies Central Christian Church
Pulpit-Disparages stories of Ill
Treatment of Soldiers.

diana Battery and the congregation or the
Central Christian Church turned out in
force yesterday to listen to sermon
preached by a chaplain who had "roughed
1t" with the common soldiers in an actual
campaign Rev. H. L. Henderson. a grad
uate of Butler College and formerly pastor
Of the Hillside-avenue Christian Church, en-
listed in the battery when the first call for
troops was made, and as there is no provi-
sion in the army regulations for a company
chaplain he was compelled to enter the
ranks as a private, and although he per-
formed the duties of chaplain he was
such only by courtesy
Throughout the war Mr.. Henderson was
of much benefit to the company because Of
his untiring zeal and kindly disposition. and
returned home with the respect of the en-
tire membership of the battery. Yesterday,
by invitation, he occupied the pulpit Of the
Central-avenue Church in order to pub
licly express himself on matters pertaining
to the war and also for the purpose Of
preaching his last sermon to the battery as
an organization. The men expect to be
mustered out in a few days, and it was
thought impossible to ever get them all to-
gether again. The church was crowded with
visitors, and before the sermon began many
lance. The battery was out in force. not
over ten being absent. All were in uniform
and. with the chaplain. made an imposing
appearance. Special music was rendered by
the regular church quartet, the selections
being ''Tenting on the Old Camp Ground"
1.-THE Battle Hymn of the Republic" and
Just Before the Battle"
Mr. Henderson took for his text James i,
22-25: But be We doors of the word, and
not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
For If any be a nearer of the word, and not
a doer, he is like unto man beholding his
natural face in a glass, for he beholdeth
himself and goeth his way. and straightway
forgetteth what manner of man he is. But
whose looketh into the perfect law of lib
erty and continueth therein, he being not
a forgetful hearer, but doer of the work,
this man shall be blessed in his deed"
In his opening remarks the speaker said
the experience of the members of the bat
terry in army life had, or should have, en-
abled each one to look back and see pic
ture of himself To some perhaps the pic
ture would seem to be filled with selfishness,
idle thoughts or reprehensible actions, while
to others the same picture of the same man
would reflect higher characteristics, in
which generosity and Christian fortitude
question, however, according to the minis
ter, remains for each one to decide for him
self as to whether the picture reflected
from his own actions is one to be proud or
or ashamed of. Army experience brings
out all the natural characteristics of
mans character, and in the camp, with all
the veneer of civilization thrown aside, the
real man stands forth for what he is worth.
Mr.. Henderson thinks the experience, how
edge and love of their country, and has
given opportunities for closer study and
observation of politics than they ever had
before, but beyond all this 1t has enhanced
their love and appreciation of home as
nothing else could have done. One peculiar
fact noticeable in the army of volunteers
up well at home by thoughtful parents
were the best soldiers at the front. They
were always generous, self-denylng and un-
ings, and according to the preceptS set be-
fore them in their homes during their child
hood their conduct as soldiers in time of
trouble was either good or bad. The home
is the greatest educator for the practical
things of life, whether military or civil, and
the present war only demonstrated the
truth of this reasoning in the mind of the
speaker.
Touching on the stories being given pub
licity concerning the i'll treatment of the
soldiers by the government, Mr.. Hender
son said he had as good an opportunity of
judging of the truth of the reports as any
one, inasmuch as he went into the army as
private soldier and performed the duties
of one throughout the campaign. He said
that while as a matter of fact some of the
soldiers suffered somewhat from the IN
competency of their officers in the field, not
one of them could doubt the good faith of
the government in providing for them, and
if the truth could be wormed from the
hearts of the men not one could be found
who would say he had been led by these
things to love his country less or to feel
that he had been wilfully abused by the
government.
II firmly believe" continued the minister,
that should the battery be needed to-mor-
aV1A all "a me IN
not one would be found willing to stay at
home when their country needed them"
At times during his discourse Mr.. Hender-
sons voice trembed with intense earnest
ness. He touchingly referred to the fact
that this was probably the last time all
the men would be together as comrades,
and asked them to think over the pictures
of themselves presented to their minds dur
ing their experience in Porto Rico and on
the unpleasant transports going and COM
ing and make the study one which will
benefit them throughout their lives.