Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-10-22

There was very interesting meet
ing of the Methodist Preachers Assoc
citation of the Wheeling district held
yesterday afternoon in the Fourth
Street NJ r. church, The presiding e.
der of this district. Rev. c. E. Graham,
was chosen 10 act as president OF the
meeting and Rev. G. w Bent. of Ben
wood. as secretary. The following pas
tors were present,
Rev. A. Moore. North Street; Rev. ].
W. Enele. McMeehen: Rev. G. Blakely.
Wesley: Rev. L. [. Meadow, Sherrard;
Rev W. s. Nicholson, ! Griadelphia;
Rev. G. w. Bent. Benwood: Rev. c. H.
Moloney. Zane street; Rev. J. 5. Robin
son. Chapline Street, and Rev. j. S.
Sechrist, OF Bridgeport.
The meeting was opened with brief
devotional exercises, followed by an
address by Chaplain w. +. Helms, of
the United States Navy. on the sub
ject OF Religious Matters in the Navy"
Chaplain Helms Is attached for duty
to the Brooklyn. Admiral Sehley's iiag
strip, during the battle OF Santiago. He
was not on board that vessel during the
fight, having not had time to reach II
since his assignment to 1t for duty. but
took up his duties there shortly after.
He spoke of the great good these pas
toral meetings were doing In New
York City, where from 400 to 600 pas
tors we're present at each meeting. He
said also that the prevalent opinion that
no advancement Is being made In re-
ligious work is erroneous. These
preachers meetings are good places to
gather facts and compare notes on the
needs of the congregations and others
in advancing the work.
As to the work of a naval chaplain
owing to the indifference of the Off
GERS The sailors frequently ask what
good will It do me II | become a
Christian" BY persistent effort and
carefully guarding the feelings of Off
GERS and men the speaker had secured
the largest attendance at his Sunday
services of any ship in the navy. The
ships band had become interested and
very kindly volunteered to play at the
services.
The speaker said his first work as
chaplain had been at Key West. He
was transferred to the Boston some
three years ago, and later. was ordered
to the Brooklyn.
or Admiral Schley he said, II re-
gard him as one of the noblest of men y
OF the admiral as an officer he was mo-,
Wy naval etiquette. permitted to speak
at the present time as that was before
court of inquiry. But personally he
had the highest regard for the admiral.
One Of the earliest remarks made by
Admiral Schley when Chaplain Helms
first went on board the Brooklyn TO
take up his official duties, was:
Il will never go to sea again without
chaplain on board If | can possibly
avoid it
Chaplain Helms left the ship at Glas-
gov, having been summoned to this
country in connection with the investi-
cation now in progress at Washington,
D. c., 1t Is supposed. Within two
hours after the sailors on the Brooklyn
learned that he was to leave they had
raised a fund and purchased beantl-
full gold watch which they presented
70 the chaplain as a token OF their es-
TEEN. This gift. ne says, he prizes
above all others.
Chaplain Helms has travelled one
hundred and forty thousand miles on
the sea since becoming chaplain, has
made three voyages to Manila, and has
visited many of the Philippine ports.
He has also been in many of the sea
ports OF Asia. Japan, China and other
countries. AS illustrative of the In
fuence of chaplains in the service he
said that on one trip from Manila on a
transport with 600 men aboard, after
weeks time the men gave up gambling
out of respect for their chaplain, and
INDUCED in il no more during the long
voyage to San Francisco
vote of thanks was given the
speaker by the association for his very
interesting, instructive and helpful ad-
dress.
Chaplain Helms took the afternoon
train for Fairmont, where he has many
friends among his old neighbors.
II was remarked by those who heard
the address that Admiral Schley was
evidently very highly esteemed in every