Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-09
DENOUNCES NEW ORDER
AS TO CAMP PASTORS
DIR. Wicker Says Ruling Is Direct
Slap at DcnOmina-
tionaliSm
TAKES EFFECT IN OCTOBER
Keeps Out Methodist, Baptist, Pres
bytcrian and Episcopal Influences,
While Admitting Catholics, Jews
and MormonS, Declares Minister.

At Leigh street Baptist Church yes
terday morning. the pastor. Rev. John
J. Wicker, ID. d. discussed the recent
order of the War Dcpar;mcn. dispcns-
pg with the camp pastors after Oc;o-
Der "a. He selected as his text the
words OF Jesus. found in the twelfth
chapter OF Mark and the seventeenth
verse: Render unto Caesar the things
that are Caesars and unto Coo the
things that are Gods" In part lie
said:
When our country declared war
against Germany something over a year
ago. the religious forces fof this coun-
try at once got busy in every possible
way. aiding tho government in anau-
SuratinS and prosecuting lis aims and
purposes looking to victory FOR our
men in arms. The \. NJ &. \. and the
Red Cross were at once generously sup
ported. In due time the knights of
Columbus commenced their work for
heir church in the camps.
AS soon as Protestant denominations
could organize their forces for definite
action, the camp pastor" was put into
service, to administer to the several
quired. THESE camp pastors stood
ready to cooperate in every possible
way with all other agencies in the
camp for the moral weliar, Of the boys.
The undertaking was one OF large ex-
pense for the churches, and the best
brains of the churches were employed
IN the planning and executing of the
work.
These men have rendered most valu-
able assistance TO the life and welfare
Of our boys in every possible way.
supply for pastors tnat they may have
opportunity TO visit the camps and
preach to the soldiers, aid the soldiers
vital link between the boy and his
home. as we'll as his church.
CAMP PASTORS TO Isl;
DROPPED AFTER OCTOBER IT
July "a a startling announcement
came from the Var Department with
dispensed with and dismissed from the
camps by October "A of this year. The
reason assigned for this order is that
there will be sufficient number of
chaplains appointed by that date to
care for the religious needs of the SOL
dicrS.
Love. d. d.. OF this city. the third as
sistant secretary of war. DR.. T. r.
keppel uhrough whose ONCE the above
order camel. said. The whole trend
and the whole desire OF the depart-
nent is in the interest OF breaking
down rather than the emphasizing de-
nomina tiOnal distinctions"
Since when did our Constitution
grant our government; the function OF
breaking down denominational dis
tinctions'?
Some time ago committee was APP
pointed. but not by the churches. COM
posed OF six men, to arrange reliS-
o ons affairs al s in b the camps Ibis com
(Rev. Cutler). one Roman Catholic
priest Gather Burkc). and Drs. Brown
and Perry of the Federal Council, with
Y. NJ. {, y. ! am certain that this
committee does not officially represent,
great country. The above order was
issued upon the recommendation of
this committee.
respectfully submit that this order
~ in !, iS III
OF the free and home OF the brave" IL
is in essence the very same sort of per-
other side 1t is almost unbclievabie
that such an un- American species could
be trottrd out upon our free soil,
few days ago Rev. j. b. Gambrell.
Baptist Convention. and Rev r. d.
Gray, D. r., of the home mission
board, together with Rev. $. Il, Batten
and George Coleman. representing the
Northern Baptists call officially APP
pointed 10 represent nearly 100000
Of people Of our Soun,ry), sailed upon
tn offer protest. The conference re-
suited in only having the assurance
from DR.. keppcl that the order would
stand issued.
ORDER NOT WITHIN
RIGHTS OF GOVERNMENT
Concerning all this We beg To sub
l. That it is not within the con-
stitutional rights of this government
to function in matters religious. We
must insist on absolute separation
between church and state. Our fathers
fought for this principle. and we all
hoped the victory was recorded for all
time. The Christian bodies OF this
country have been patriotic and loyal
in this great struggle. and ii is not
comforting 10 have the above order
handed TO us, controverting one or
the dearest blood bought privileges in
our American heritage.
.. 1t is hardly far 10 permit the
Roman Catholic Church TO dcnomina-
ionally safeguard its boys in the army