Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-04-21
THE religion
OF THE ARMY


agitated by the local central institu.
ton and advocated By the officers CT
that post, has finally reached the gen
eral secretary Of the National AsSo-
ciatiCn in New York City. which will
probably result in an extensive in
vestigation of the matter and the
sending here of an agent to look over
the ground. II is the plan of the
local association, should this branch
be introduced at Schofield, not only
to install work along the lines of re-
creation and athletics, but to organ
ize Bible study. clubs TO perpetuate il
the islands religion in the army.
In a recent article in one of the
more popular church publications,
Col H. r. Brinkerhoff, U. s. A., re-
tired, speaks of the religion of the
army in the following manner:
All our great institutions of learn
ing have carved out for themselves
certain peculiar characteristics that
distinguish them individually. One is
known, possibly, for the freedom with
which it interprets biblical injunc-
tions, another for its tendency to the
esthetic, and a third for its plain
every day methods. One, possibly,
exaggerates the advantages of physi-
cal culture, and another in spirit of
opposition, minimiZes it. Among
them all the great national military
school at West Point on the Hudson,
stands alone in exalting the import
ance of truth in words and deeds.
Due largely to the influence of this
teaching at the national military
school, a high standard of moral eth
les is maintained in the army. or
course, there are individual excep-
tions to this common rule, but for
tunately they are rare. Satan, it
may be remembered, was found among
the angels, according to the great
blind poet, and some poor degenerate,
it happens now and then, is found
with a commission in the army. The
cultivation of veracity in the military
service doubtless receives its great
est encouragement from the fact that
any deviation from an exact, unequiv-
ocal statement of the truth in mill
tary affairs, might lead, possibly, at
times to needless sacrifice of life or
therefore to be accepted as natural
sequence, that the speech of the army
officer must follow the same undeyi-
ating rule on all subjects. And so the
terse, epigrammatic sentence that
the religion of the army is Truth"
finds favor with those who follow the
flag in peace and in war. 80:
This good beginning on the way 10
the full acceptance and practice of
of emulation in civil life. 1t would af-
ford me great pleasure to see this
great principle, foundation of good cit
izenship and Christian life, made a
prominent educational feature in our
common schools. We are assured in
the Good Book that the Truth shall
make ue free, that is, free from the
bondage of whatever may be wrong
in our daily lives. The Truth should
therefore in all reason be made the
alpha and the omega of the early ed,
ucational period After service of
over fifty years in the army, during
which this great moral principle has
been my daily companion through
precent and example, | hope you will
believe me when / say that large
proportion of army officers are be-
levers than may usually be found in
civil life communities of similar size.
Unfortunately the majority of army
officers lead negative Christian lives.
They may be likened, possibly, to the
Moqui Pueblo Indian, who after per-
forming his devotional exercises, ST.
iently and with bowed head as the
sun rose in the morning, was asked
what he said. While he prayed. Moth
ing" ne replied. Nothing. | say
nothing when | pray" .s.....-.
It affords the soldier much pleas
IRE to know that his duties furnish a
text for exhortations to steadfastness
and loyalty to the principles that
should adorn a Christian life. Prob
ably no other class of public servants
are able to embody more fully
their lives and duties the qualities of
Christian lives, than the exemplary
nan-at arms. These qualities, it may
be observed, have furnished the theme
for some of the finest productions in
literature that the world has ever
known, and the most influential in
determining the destinies of nations
Among these may be mentioned the
Battle Hymn" of Luther, that at one
time served to inspire the people Of
Protestant Europe. But we need not
go abroad for illustrations of the in
tluence of battle and army life upon
the popular mind. The inspiring
words of many of our own familiar
lyrics, replete in their reference to
soldierly qualities, have served often
to arouse national enthusiasm, and
stimulate popular support. Mrs.
Howe's Battle Hymn of the Repub-
lie awakened deep emotion. and stir
led to the utmost the patriotism of
The people Of the north during the
dark days of the Rebellion. At the
same time, probably no other produc-
ton accomplished a more profound
impression in the sOuht and did
more to unite a wavering people, than
Randall's inspiring poem, Maryland,
My Maryland"
And not alone were the common
qualities of the exemplary soldier