The Washington herald., 1914-08-09

Nothing but q church will do. AL the
other schemes OF democracy come tc
naught for want OF that The lecture
platform lie no substitute for Sinai
Democracy as q religion or nothing, with
its doctrine, its form, its ritual, its cere-
monies, its government as church
above all, its organized sacrifice Of the
altar, the sacrifice of self. Democracy
must get rid Of the natural man, Of eaoh
for himself and have q new birth into the
spiritual man, the essentially religious
animal. to face the most tremendous OF
all problems-social justice"
The sum Of sS12, 1851 was received by
the Young Mems Christian Association
of Chicago as its portion Of the estate Of
the late Thomas Murdoch. The executors
have completed their work and have
turned over to the association as its Anal
share Of the estate the sum Of SSo, lls.Sl.
absorbing to the Official bulletin Of the as
ISOLATION. This is the largest beQuest
ever received by any Y. NJ. c. A. With
others that have been received and the
jubilee fund Of more than s.. 900, 900 raised
several years ago. 1t constitutes the en-
dowment fund of the Chicago association,
which Is said to be the richest in the
world, having buildings and other prop
erty valued at between 100000 and 81
10000.
The chaplain Of West Point Military
Academy, Rev. H. Percy Silver, writing
in the Churchman on Religious Educa-
ton in the Army" makes some interest
ing statements concerning the duty Of
the chaplain and the character Of the
man in the ranks.
IF a chaplain had nothing but the
Articles of War and the Army Regula-
90 he Iuy0nld
have textbooks breathing the spirit OF
the highest Christian morality. He is ex-
pected to teach the great principles Of
the Christian religion, with the idea Of
leading men to be the best type Of Chris
tian soldiers. He is not, however, as
signed to duty with the army for the pur-
pose of affording him an opportunity, at
the expense OF the government, to labor
to set forth the claims OF the ecclesia&-
teal body of which he may be a minister.
The religious problem in the army is
not very much unlike the same problem
among men in other walks of life. To one
familiar with the men in the army II is
disgusting to hear comments concerning
the soldier which would place him on a
plane lower than his citizen brother, or
which stigamtize him as being less re-
ligious. Because Gen. Sherman, excus-
ing some fault in a soldier, stated that
the government should not expect to get
all the cardinal virtues for S13 a month.
or because people are given to say
that one 'swears like a trooper should
not be accepted as a blanket condemna-
ton; for. as matter Of fact, such a
conclusion is not justified.
1T is just as difficult outside the army
as in 1t, TO get men TO recognize that they
are the children of God with a personal
responsibility to live and act as such at
all times, that the best traditions Of the
nation may not suffer at their hands, or
the faith OF our fathers lose its glory or
luster through their indifference or oppo-
sition.
Every Christian in the army should
feel the weight Of the responsibility
which rests upon him to help keep the
life Of the service in harmony with those
high ideals for which it has ever stood.
II should make every citizen proud to
know that the army has never been called
upon to render a debased or dishonorable
service.
The Secretary Of War told the grad
yates OF the Military Academy that the
army is the governments all-around
handy-man,' and he enumerated many
duties performed. both at home and
abroad, in bringing succor and relief to
the distressed in regions visited by for
SSA 4IOONSs cdI
and that wherever and whenever sum-
moned the men Of the army rendered
most efficient and helpful service.
The aim of religious work in the army
is to add strength to the nation by in
spring men with a vision so clear and
so large that they may see in the lessons
of the past challenge to live Alright in
the present, and with the psalmist say:
o God. our fathers trusted in Thee,
They hoped in Thee, and Thou didst de-
liver them
The uniform of a soldier is a badge of
honor which he cannot fully recognize
apart from religious influence. We know
that he is the man who will go forth, in
the hour Of trial, in answer to the coun-
try's call; and that with conservation
and devotion he will labor, and II need
be he will die, to maintain the nations
honor. On the heights of duty he will I'M
furl her flag, that this nation may truly
be one Of the Kingdoms OF the world to
become the kingdom Of our God and to
serve. as the Master served, for the good
and the uplift OF mankind