The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-06-25
FROM FIR. FEINLEK.
The Chaplain Of the First Infantry U.
5. A., Writes OF his Work
and SURROUNDINGS.


5. A., Writes Of his Work
and Surroundings.
The following letter addressed
to Rev. o. E. Boyce will be of in.
terest to the many friends of Fr.
Feinler, who was formerly priest
of the Catholic church here, and
tells something of his life as an
army chaplain:
Vancouver, Barracks, Wash,
June 4, 1909
Rev. and Dear Brother:
It is pity that the circumstances
of the last election did not allow the
triumph of the good cause. You cer-
tainly worked earnestly and hard.
But God will not look so much for the
success of our efforts as He does re-
ward work conscientiously done. 1t
had some good apparent to every one.
People learn more and more how to
abhor an evil, which at the present
time may be considered the origin of
all evil.
It seems that my vote and perha ps
one or two others would have at least
overturned the saloon power. How I
longed to stay till after Easter, both
for the benefit of the St. Lawrence
congregat alton and the election. How
would have enjoyed to meet you
more often in work and cordial con-
versation.
So life is made up of many regrets
and SORROWS, but the Christians hope
will steer US clear of all difficulties
and make our lives cheerful in order
to assist those who look to the min
listers of God for consolation and
balm for wounded hearts.
Life has become little ordinary
for me now. The excitement and
novelty of garrison life has given way
to the routine of regularly returning
duties. Do like it? Most certainly.
/ sometimes imagine you or some
other Milbank friends, if seeing me
here whether you could recognize
me at all. With the uniform l seem
to have taken q more worldly view of
things. I enjoy riding on horseback
and dressing more carefully. l am
afraid prayer is not so congenial as
it was. Still l enjoy every morning
the great privilege of celebrating
holy mass At the sisters convent,
frequent visits to the clergy, and very
interesting conversations with my
fellow officers.
visit daily the hospital and at
least once q week the guard house,
where there are oil the time be.
tween SO or GO prisoners, some Tor
short sentences, Some for years OF
continent. l meet the soldiers daily
and my big congregation gets nearer
day by day to my heart.
l was often told that II would bo
hard job to keep sbstemious among
army men. I want to Say - my ex-
Derience that there 10 genuine appPe-
citation Of the teetotsler both among
officers and men. l have never been
offered anything that I had any din.
Guilty to decline. Everybody honors
courage and principle.
This 10 . beautiful country in spite
Of the dust, which rises in big clouds
two days after big rain. Roses are
plentiful, cherries from the neighbor.
hood are on the market, big juicy
strawberries are plentiful. This
country has hardly any wind. At
least find It 80, when remember
many . day in Milbank where it was
q great fight sgainst the wind to walk
home from town. Sometimes wind
would be very desirable. as II Is too
sultry to be comfortable.
5 One of these days l intend to take
q days leave to 60 up to the Dells on
the Columbia river. They say it is
more magnificent than q trip up the
Rhine. The Dells are near Mount
Hood. Did you ever zee picture of
MOnnt Hnndb Esnocfallv aa H. can
be seen from here or from Portland.
Well it ts certainly vision from
another world. 1t looks so interest
ing that look forward with pleasure
10 the dav when number of our peo-
pie want to make up party to enjoy
q days outing among the grand
scenery.
will describe the same to you in
my next letter.
Ever yours faithfully,
F. J. FEINLER,
Chaplain First Infantry.