The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-09-10
Must Be Broad in His Views, of
Big Heart and Strong
Personality.

loL PASO, Texas, Sept 9.-"Why the
chaplain the young guardsman ven
tured to inquire.
Shortly after coming to E Paso
group of rockies We're standing in one
of the streets in Camp Cotton when
Chaplain Atkinson, of tho Thirty-first
regiment, Michigan national guard,
CHANGED TO pass.
What good is chaplain in the
army?' asked one of the rOoilies. a
beardless youth, of his companions.
Several reasons, all favorable, were
given the inquirer for the presence OF
a chaplain with soldiers, some better
than others. all good. and all showing
The young men in question had studied
the subject.
sun die question remains, Why tho
chaplain?" Many civilians would be
loss able to give intelligent answers to
the question than did the young Michi-
gandcrs.
Worship Not Compulsory.
The duties of a chaplain are mani
fold and oft trying. First of all, the
most essential requisite, he must be a
man among men. No namby PANTY,
hell fire and birthstone" preacher
would last long in a military camp.
The attendance upon religious worship
is not compulsory, there is no law to
compel soldier to call upon the chap
lain for advice or to accept it gracious
" If offered.
Practically every religious sect
known in the United States has its
representatives in an American regi-
ment Many of these believe their de-
nomination the only true exponent of
the road to salvation. There are many
who have no church and others who
profess atheism.
1t is plain to be seen, therefore, in
order to do effective work in such
motley gathering chaplain must be
broad in his views, of big heart and
strong personality. His sermons
must touch on no creed. but must
speak Of the broader Christianity Of
mankind-tell in a simple way which
will not offend of universal religion
which tends to the betterment OF all.
No army chaplain dare take the pO-
sition that smoking is of the devil,
that q glass of beer will start man
on the road to hell, that card playing
or dancing is wicked, or that moving
pictures are injurious to morals. In
discussing moving pictures as used in
connection with religious services in
the camp, an FL paso preacher recent
~ declared he could not see how NOV
ing pictures would lead a man to
Christ"
The service OF such man would be
limited in n soldier camp. He would
be worse than useless. And then again
the boys, privates though they may be,
have way Of making things unpleas-
ant for any one they don't like.
Chaplain Must AnalyZe Men.
Aside from his strictly religious du-
ties chaplain must be able to see the
viewpoint Of the man, no matter what
the subject may be. If man stag
gers into his tent the worse for liquor
the chaplain must be able to analyze
the reason. Perhaps the man is home
sick, worried about financial affairs.
and, knowing no better way, attempts
10 forget his troubles in the flowing
bowl The chaplain must be able to
analyze that mans feelings, and give
him good advice without arousing an
tagonism.
Chaplain William Atkinson. who in
Detroit is rector Of St. Matthias Epis-
copal church. is one of the most popu-
lar men in his regiment. When he
went to Grayling with the troops he
was practically new at the work, But
he studied the men and their needs,
he has encouraged their friendship, he
has urged them to come to him with
their troubles, and when they have
done so he has met them and talked
with them as would one man with an
other, not MS pastor with confessor.
As a result every man in the regi-
ment feels free to call on him at any
time. They tell him their family trou-
bles, their private troubles, their finan-
clal and mental worries. They borrow
money from him when they are little
short" He doesn't ask them wheth
err they are going TO buy cigarets or
beer with IT. He Just loans it. and
with never an |. o. u. He trusts them
and they trust him. II one OF them
wants boxing partner for little
exercise the chaplain will take them
on.
Chaplain Atkinson Busy.
Besides conducting services, looking
after the mail Of the regiment and
MANY othar things which fall to his