New-York tribune., 1900-01-08
ARMY CHAPLAIN DEFENDED
HIS WORK SAID TO COMPARE FAvoRABJY
WITH THAT OF OTHER CLERGYMEN-RE-
FORMS IN THE CHAPI,AINCY URGED.

HIS WORK SAID TO COMPARE FAvoRABLY
WITH THAT OF OTHER CLERGYMEN-RE-
FORMS IN THE CHAPLAINCY URGED.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Much adverse criticism has been directed
against the Army chaplain. A prominent clergy
man recently declared that If there any
for whom he prayed it was the modern Army chap
lain. We utterly dissent We deny that the
Army chaplain is in need of prayers than
his brethren. We believe that, given the same
field and the same facilities. the Army chaplains
work compares favorably with that of the modern
clergyman anywhere and is subject to little
criticism; nor will the Army chaplain shrink from
a trial OF his work to-day before fair court Of
inquiry.
Much Of the difficulty comes from the indifference
CT apathy OF Congress. and the half-hearted sup
port Of measures by the religious public; and IL
there is any lack of esprit de corps among chap
lans 1t is from this fact. General Sherman de-
clared that the chapiaincy a farce: little or
thought given the subject. and anybody
chaplain. Under such circumstances the Won
der is that anything Is accomplished and that the
= chaplains do not themselves succumb TO the IN
huences around them and sink into a state of safe
bit criminal apathy. But the fact is that our
chaplains have done most creditable work Their
record Of labor in meetings held sermons preached,
visited in barracks. hospitals. guard houses,
etc. and conversions reported. temperance pledges
signed. etc. well outside visitation, funerals
attended etc, is much larger than that OF the
average clergyman in civil life. could be easily
proven here did space permit.
II there is ground OF complaint against the in
efficiency OF the Army chaplaincy, which deny.
Congress only raise it. OF all branches of the
service II should he above criticism and of the
purest character. Otherwise religion is brought
into contempt and is of restraining effect. But
Congress viii do only that which the public
earnestly and persistently demands. The moral
OF this is obvious. and the point needs further
argument elaboration in choice English.
The following facts are suggestive. ana are pre-
sented for the consideration OF the public. Many
years in the Army myself and having spent some some
80 -aIoio,,. a,-n1oer s ,a -oo+ n,iiitor oTnne
TIE reglous lniiuenceS OF the great nlilaIy caIhps
at Aldershot and Wellington Barracks. and having
seen much OF religious work in the United States
Army, I can speak from observation and eX-
First-More safeguards should be thrown around
the ehapiancy and the & Tf unw0Thy
ing power rests with the President, subject
10 confirmation by Congress Regulations should
govern appointment. and the matter should be re-
ferred 10 a standing committee military affairs.
Strange things are sometimes done in the absence
or ambiguity Of law and want OF inforIna tion ana
data A candidate backed by political power alone
Second-The chaplaincy. now existing, and
it has always existed in our Army, hes been Gre
things. It holds out neither hope of reward nor
conscience Of the chaplain. 1t is possible to per-
form the duties OF the office in purely per-
functory manner ana escape criticism. Length of
service counts for nothing, except slight increase
Of Of pay The chaplain @ gets no merit marks The
little consequence. 1t is a matter OF regret that
lains beyond a mere order that they shall hold
religious services at least the Sabbath and
bury the dead with religious ceremonies.
Third-The pay Of chaplain fixed thirty years
ago is now too small. His S150 (averSge) pay per
month should be the as the surgeons. $3.50
1aVerage), supposing the morals of the Army quite
as important as its physical condition The diff
ference Of expense in giving thirty post chaplans
and four regtmental chaplains the nay Of a
some s600 900 annually, and it would put the chap
laincy on a footing of honorable distinction
tain our best chaDlalns, and attract the service
new men who would do creditable work and add
10 our influence for good at home and abroad.
Fourth-One Of the causes of the chaplain'S
success, in some cases. is that there is detail
Of the chaplains set apart a supervisors. in
strUctOrs. stimulate action, deEeop useful lines
of work, and TO protect against a misdireCtion OF
the chaplain's energies by superior officers Chap
lains, especially in volunteer regiments often fail
Of usefulness from lack of suggestions and guidance
from experienced chaplains. Others charged
with post duties. regimental messes and mails to
the neglect of the moral and religious welfare OF
their commands. These failures be
by Jealous and wise supervision and direction.
Church methods are not practicable in the Army.
Almost everything q clergyman has learned in his
church work must be thrown 10 the winds on en-
ter1ng the Army, and he must work out his sue
cess or failure along lines as though he
mad entered new profession. Nor can the chap
lain alone successfully begin any other order Of
things than exists. The theory behind him
now IS wrong and false The theory that he Is
not essential and his work unnecessary kills
The suggestions and sentiments herein expressed
represent the views Of a majority of the ablest
chaplains in the United States service
Major JOHN B. KETCHUM
New-York City. Jan. 4. 1900