Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-07-14
CHAPLAIN'S SPURS"
y CHAPLAIN p. T. EDROP. 53rd Pioneer Infantry

the larger WOFIQ, etc.
Truly 1t is q difficult task, and 1t
demands q virile faith that will per-
init no faltering on the edge of battle.
The Chaplains of the Army Of the
United States have met the test.
Before America entered the war an
example was set for them by the
French clergy. It has been estimated
that $4,000 priests and ministers are
fighting I'm the armies Of France.
Finding that they could not all go as
Chaplaips, they rushed to arms; and
frequently IL is given to soldiers to
see priest strip from himself the
accoutrements of q soldier and as
sumo the vestments Of the church. to
function In his holy Office while there
Is lull In the fighting. Whether
serving In arms or with the Cross,
they have written q record Of valor
that will thrill the church when It's
details are all disclosed.
An Eyewitness Story
In the French army are two Bishops
and the rectors Of many important
Roman Catholic parishes. Father
Jules Cheron, of the One Hundred
and Ninth Regiment Of Infantry, has
been mentioned In general orders for
great bravery and determination In
leading q detachment to the capture
Of q German trench.
Priests have celebrated mass under
fire many times and this il q record
from an eyewitness at Verdun:
Yesterday morning we went down
to examine a mine. The French had
q long gallery for 500 yards along
their front. It was exactly like going
through the tunnels, cross-cuts and
drifts in q gold mine in the Rockies.
But at the entrance to the main tun-
mel the regimental Chaplain had per-
suaded the Colonel to let q huge
chamber be excavated thirty feet nm
derground; and the Chaplain had
fitted 1t mp as chapel.
( There in that underground chapel
in the front-line trenches, at ten
o'clock on Sunday morning, while
cannon doomed overhead In q terrific
bombardment, telling Of preparing for
a German assault, we, with two hun
dred French soldiers, assisted In q
mass, the Colonel taking part. We
saw soldiers going to the altar to
Communion, while two of their COM
rades sat in little chamber, followed
ON one side of the chapel, with the
fingers on electric buttons, ready to
explode mines II the signal came that
the attacking Germans had reached
the mine field"
Britain, too, has given many exam
pies Of heroic efforts ON the part Of
her soldier and priests to
project the church to the battle lines.
One Chaplain f0rsook the work Of
ministry to lead the fighting men;
but he, the Rev. John Beattie, had
lost his wife and son on the Lusitania.
The Rev. Leonard Francis Tyrwhitt,
canon Of st. Georges chapel, Wind
sor, and Chaplain-in-Ordina to the
king, was wounded while accompany
ing q British regiment to the front.
Many British Chaplains have given
their lives in the service of the battle
field, as have their French colleagues.
When a photograph was printed in
the daily newspapers recently show.
ing an American Chaplain officiating
at the burial of some of tie men of
our own army and it was seen that
he wore q trench helmet as he read
the service and that gas mask con-
tainer was slung under his stole, 1t
was brought home to the American
people that their soldier-preachers
were not avoiding risks.
Already soldiers letters had told of
the heroism of the Chaplains of the
New England division which won't into
action so early; and soldiers letters
had told, too, Of the devotion and
of Father Francis Duffy,
Of the old Sixty-ninth New York In
fantry.
Chaplain Banker Killed
In the New England Division, serv-
ing with the One Hundred and Fourth
Infantry. was the Rev. Walton s.
Banker. One day news came that the
entire regiment had been decorated,
the first time so signal distinction
had been conferred. The news came
as an immense qualification to the
men of the National Guard Of the
country who felt that their contribu-
ton to the military establishment Of
the United States had been almost
in the enthusiasm and ex-
element over the new National Army. |
Soon afterwards personal letter: was |
received In this country from the
that the Colonel of the regiment had
been personally honored. But there
was no mention Of the Chaplain. Al
most at the same time, however, q i
letter was received from member Of