Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-14
ARMY NEEDS CHAPlA|Ns,
AND WANTS THEM At ONCE
Only able-Bodied Clergymen, Who
Arc Good Mixers, Will Bo
Considered.
WORK is or VARIED NATURE
Must Not Only Preach, but Keep
Men Amused and Intercstcd--Re-
Sponsibility for Their Moral Dis.
cipline Rests on His Shoulders,

WASHlNC;TON. May 1S-Now as
never before clcrEymen OF all dcnoni-
nations arc needed as chaplains in the
proposed army OF SOO.o men, AL
ready the churches arc takiE stems to
set appointments AS soon as the con-
script army is mobilzcd and sent away
TO training camps.
This is the greatest opportunity for
clersymen TO do their bit Unlike
France. tho clergy OF this country viii.
nevertheless. while they arc not needed
10 shoulder q gun, they have tlieir work
cut out for them AS commissioned off,
GERS.
Tho popular conception Of chap
lain's work pictures him as homilctiS
terror. preaching terrible sleep pro-
ducinE sermons TO tired soldiers. This
is not the case. Preaching is only one
of tho many duties OF II chaplain. While
his brother officers are concerned with
giving military and physical training
he has tho responsibility of their moral
discipline.
rironment OF home aud placed under
| abnormal conditions soon become
hon cSick. Tho monotcny Of drill makes
life miserable for them. and they are
prone TO seek relief in a manner that
they would not think OF at home. Many
! find tho rum shops and dives haven
OF rest and selace. ann the medical sta
tStics of every war are convincing evil
dcnce of the lives that are wrecked.
Following cNceSSeS often comes sui.
eide
HIGHER CHARACTER THE
BETTER FIGHTING EFFICIENCY
This danger was pointed out a few
years ago hy an army surgeon. He
prescribed as a remedy various forms
of entertainment and moral stimula-
ton. y rum soaked soldier is 10 good
either TO himself or his country. He
cannot stand the severe physical and
mental strain OF nlodern warfare. The
higher the moral character OF the SOL
der the better will be his health and
lighting efficiency.
1t is here that the work Of the army
chaplain is laid out. With sympathy
and understanding he can keep the
moral standard as high as the military.
BY means of his religious influence hs
can bolster up the courage of the SOL
diers. giving them high ideals TO fol-
low. BY arranging means of absorbing
the unoccupied time OF the soldiers he
can discourage those impulses that
send them to the lowest depths.
Several suggestions have been made
by the chairman of the commission of
the General Convention OF the Profess
tant Episcopal Church on army and
navy chapains a leahet containing
these have been printed and distributed
10 those Interested. The chairman. Rev.
William Lawrence. Of Boston. after
pointing out the necessity OF immedi-
ate action. explains the work OF q chan.
lain.
The chaplains are regularly COM
missioned officers of the army, who
have in their Charge the spiritual,
! moral and social welfare OF the men.
/ The unit is the rcgiment, and every
effort should be made to enable the
chaplain to do his best for the well
fare of his family. the regiment The
popular Impression still survives that
the chaplains are political appointees.
The facts arc that there has been a
steady rise in the character and ability
! OF the chaplains, brought about by a
deeper popular interest in the welfare
OF the army, change in the methods
or appointment and OF the status OF
the chaplain. The chaplains OF the
army and National Guard arc as a body
worthy OF the strong support of the
nation and especially the churches,
HOW THE CHAPI.AINS
/ CAS- BE SUPPORTED
Mt. Lawrence then explains how the
chaplains can be supported in their
/ work
I'm one State there are seven chan.
lains of the National Guard for tho
seven regiments. each and All strong
| men and true. Each Of them has sal
that If he could he well euui,ped he
1 couiu NC OF greater service to the men
I OF his regiment than was possillr in
McAico year ago, when very sliyh,
| support was given them. Within a
! week various parishes in thar Stat.
| nave given units OF equipment. a zen,
or the best stun. fifty by thirty feet,
/ s2so. Eleo and more il necessary for
religious service: a motion.pic,ure nv. =.
chine. $500: strong regulation mo,or
truck, about 500 10 carry the ytutr
ana to make power for the pictures;
in all. $500"
/ rms equipment. Mr.. Lawrence er-
piaihs, belongs to the regiment and is
gwen TO the chaplain only during the
duration OF his commission. When The
! regiment IL moved away from the ia Sc
camp the chaplain packs up his outft
and goes along
ihosc who wish to make applications
arc instructed by Mr. Lawrence 70
apply to the Acknowledgement Wa
/ Department. Washington.
Mr.. Lawrence points out the need of
men with physical strength and ability.
ocS'ucs haH!ng the other qualifications
4 OF clergyman. Young men are need
cd: no; necessarily In years. but in
( thought and action. Also a man must
not be too dignifed OF hold himself
aiooi from the rank and file. He must
DC one of the boys. \ story is told
OF prominent minister from a wealthy
ana influential church who was chan
! IAN OF National Guard regiment.
ms clergyman could hold the people
I OF ms parish. but failed utterly 10
make good with tho rank and nie of
ms regiment. His dignity was So
/ ponderous. the story runs. that il
weighted down the enthusiasm OF thy
men and II IL related that during q
f, sunday morning service in camp. q
poker game WAS started behind a clunp
OF bushes not more than thirty fe.t
from the cha pluin.