Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-11-04
5 FOR SUNDAY READING.
5 Ala sorts ~ Information ON SUM
day Subjects.
THE FlREMEx,s cHApLAINs.
Work Done by Father Smith and
Mr.. Johnson - spiritual Counsel.

=.
Work Done by Father Smith and
MIR. johnson - spiritual Counsel.
lors.
The chaplains OF the fire department,
the Rev. William st. Elmo Smith and
the Rev. James LIE Baron Johnson, in
he uniform Of chief of battalion, are
becoming familiar figures to New York.
While each has driver and buggy
kept at his own expense and ready to
respond to the third ALARM, not infre-
quentiy one chaplain picks up the other
on the way to fire.
II never met Father Smith," said
Chaplain Johnson, until we were APP
pointed to the chaplaincy, and now
well, we are Damon and Pythias.''
The good fellowship between the
chaplains is not without it's effect upon
the firemen witfH whom they are in clos
est touch. A delicate testimonial of
municipal appreciation of the services
the chaplains are rendering the depart
ment was rendered last week at the
Democratic Club, where they were the
guests of honor at dinner given by
Sheriff Dunn. Mayor Van Wycke,
Richard Croker. Commissioner Keller
and prominent officials to the number
/ of twenty-four were present. Speech
making followed and it Is said that the
chaplains, taking advantage of their
non political position and services
given without compensation, struck out
| from the shoulder in the interest OF
honest government.
| 1t is scarcely seven months since the
position of chaplain was created. New
York remains the only city in the world
| that provides spiritual consolation for
the members of it's fire department.
That it was long felt want is shown
| by the good the chaplains are doing.
Long before his appointment Mr. john
son, at present one of the assistant rec
| tors of Grace church. endeared himself
| to the department and through his ef-
forts twelve firemen We're confirmed by
Bishop Potter.
my duties.' said Mr.. Johnson, ARE
naturally less arduous that Father
Smiths, as so per cent of the firemen
are Roman Catholics. His influence
| among them is wonderful. shall never
| forget the first fire we attended. The
men were most profane. Father Smith
reproved them.
who the are youe1 they de
manded.
The chaplain opened his uniform. At
1.-THE sight of the priestly garb the men
/ fell back All, it's you, father, they
/ said, and the silence that followed was
Iimpressiye / have seen him admin
| lister the last rites of the church to a
dying fireman brought into saloon on
| the east side, followed by the worst of
Irabbles. Every head uncovered, ever.
knee bent and no one can tell the in
Ifuence it had upon that hardened
gathering.
Every night the chaplains visit to-
gether an engine or hook and ladder
house. The men draw up in line and
give them the salute accorded chief
4 of battalion Then they pass down the
'Iline. with handshake and talk for
each man The opportunity for practi-
5Ical temperance work is unlimited and
much has been accomplished. Their
slpresence at a fire il not only comfort
ling and assuring to the firemen. but
lit has a quieting effect upon the in
mates of burning buildings. Historical
\ women often subside when the chap
ilains appear or when they learn OF
their presence in the house. Often they
4
buggies to the hospital-injured who
j otherwise would have to wait for an
ambulance and suffer by the delay.
How much the influence of the chap
lains is due to their virile. magnetic
personality is best known TO the fire
4 men. Both are young, up in field
sports and at a fire never shrink from
1.-THE danger line. Before taking orders
! Chaplain Johnson became. while he was
lin Tacoma, so interested in the work o
4 the fire department that he spent two
years in an engine house and one nigh
4 nearly lost his life
You had better go, father said the
4 chief to Chaplain Smith at the recent
burning of vessel. There's great
4 danger here.
do you stas?s asked the chaplain
a and the men,
A Certainly
Then here's my place." was the re-
reply.
Can you SWIM" asked the chief.
Yes"
..Now is the time And as the burn
ling boat sank the chaplain leaped from
her side to be caught by fireman.
The third alarm brings out the chap
lains although they frequently respone
to second alarm ii they are near the
locality. They keep their rubber boots
coats and white helmets in the bottom
of their buggies and don them wher
they reach the fire. They report ar ones
. to the chief. after which their move
) ments are as free as those of the fire
men.
My driver said Chaplain Johnson
always knows where to find me. ! tel
him where 1 shall be at such and suci
, a time, and he makes for the neares
, Iengne house
q Our household said Chaplain
Smith, who is English rector of st. Vim
!. cent de Paul's church, where his ora
| torical gifts attract large congrega
lions. now listen as anxiously as | d.
for the fire alarm.
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