The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-01-18
Preachers and War.
Editor Missoulian.

Editor Missoulian
There appeared in your issue Of
last Monday an article under the cap
ton. Ought Preacher to Fight kai-
SER which would be construed as q
reflection on the patriotism and man
hood of the Christian ministry in the
United States.
1t seems that many draft boards,
Missoula's included, think that min
listers should not be exempted from
military service, and have so recon-
mcnded to Provost Marshal General
CroWder. / do not understand how
their recommendation has anything
to do in the matter. The clergy are
exempted, not by the grace of the
local boards, or OF General Crowder
but by n provision of the law passed
by congress under which CONSUMPTION
is made.
IT Is not necessary to mention the
considerations and influences that
secured exemption for the clergy. 1t
liz enough to say that preachers" did
not busy themselves in the matter.
On the contrary, they have shown a
decided disposition to resent the ex-
cmption granted them by congress.
For example, the board of education
OF the Presbyterian church, the
agency OF the church having the over
sight of its students for the ministry,
has requested all students under it's
care not to ask for exemption on
statutory grounds. The Salvation
Army refuses to receive young men
cadets into its training schools dur
ing the period of the war; They arc
encouraged and expected to give them
selves to the military service of the
country. The Methodist Ministers
Association of Chicago, nearly 200
strong. at recent meeting resolved
that this Is no time for the brethren
of the ministry who are of military
age to seek exemption from service
In this high and holy cause merely on
the grounds of their being clergymen."
This is typical of preachers" through
out the country There arc very many
of them already in various branches
of the service, and there will be very
many more If this nation Is to do
much fighting.
There are preachers and priests
fighting side by side in the trenches
In Europe. and fighting as bravely as
their non clerical brothers In arms.
preachers of whom | know have vol
unfairly left prominent pulpits in
London and Edinburgh. and laid down
their lives in the front line of battle.
There are theological schools In
Britain and Canada closed today be-
.al hnt, ,t,-,,.
are serving their country as soldiers.
The preachers and theological
students of this country are no less
patriotic, no less manly, no less ready
| to give themselves unto death at their
| country's call. Any suggestion to the
| contrary is not fair to them.
] know one ordained preacher" in
Missoula county who was conscripted
In the first contingent. He appeared
before the local board without a
| whimper, rather proudly indeed
passed the physical examination
| claimed no exemption as he might
lave done, and is now in training in
| Camp Lewis, or was the last time
| heard of him. At least two of our
| city ministers have already volun-
tered for military service. Unfor-
tunately we Missoula ministers seem
| to have been born too soon for the
great occasion. IL 1t were not so
M'ssoula. might experience u sudtier
| shortage of preachers" AS 1t Is, W,
shall do our best to keep the HON,
fires burning" and at tho same tim,
VIC stand always ready to render L
the government any service of which
| we are capable.
J. n. MAGICIAN.
| Missoula, January Is, 1918.