The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-02-12

'SThe thing f. to win the war and
II 1 can help by Inspiration shall
feel that my appointment has not
been In vain.
''The right way to reach a man
spiritually is to find q common
ground on which to meet him.
"The wrong way In TO urge sec
tartan doctrines, beliefs and dOEmas.
L am going into the navy as chaplain
to de my best for the welfare of the
men Of the service, to make them as
happy ~ possible, 10 lift mp and hold
up the locals for which we are fight
ing, and to strengthen their faith in
God to bring the war to u successful
eOneiusion."-
Richard J. Davis, Of Boston, the 1rst
Chrisfidn Scientist Chaplain appointed
In the United States Navy.
BOSTON, Feb. 12.-Richard J. Davis
had donned his uniform as an officer
in the nRSy for the first time follow
ing his appointment by Secretary Dan
iels as chaplain, with the rank OF
lieutenant, Junior grade, and had just
returned from an official visit to the
receiving ship at Boston, when he
met a reporter and gave the first ex-
tended interview he has granted since
his recent appointment.
The new chaplain has been tempo
rarily assigned to the Boston navy
yard at Charlestown, but will prob
ably be sent to sea. In fact, he hopes
to be sent there
GOf eourEe YOU want to know"
said he, what sort OF idea 1 have
about my new work, what intend TO
try to do, and why.
VIII Push welfare Work.
1.-THE time will come, undoubtedly,
when men Of my church will be as
usual in my position as those OF any
other denomination.
There are two scientist chaplains
in the army now, of course. but later
there will undoubtedly be many more.
Just now we are new and I can easily
appreciate that there is a great deal
OF public curiosity about US.
'I think one of the FIRST things /
am going in for is to get at the
boys on the basis OF welfare WORK.
I'm a conversation which I had
with Secretary Daniels, he agreed
with me that above all he wanted to
build up that end OF the service. The
thing to do is to meet the men on a
common ground where we can get to-
gether and build up their ideals.
There is music for instance. The
Secretary believes there Is ca fine
opportunity IN the navy for the de-
veIopment OF music. He believes that
It effects the morale of the service,
raises II UP.
so there is one thIng-I hope TO
build up a system OF glee clubs on
Chorus singing, too, and
drametics.
Plans Portable Theater.
"I have always taken an interest
in the latter while at college, and
I am now in correspondence with
the Training Camp Activities Com
mittee in connection with a scheme
which I have to further this amuse-
ment.
This consists OF a portable theater. I
which eau be moved from ship TO
ship when II doesn't interfere with /
the regular routine of the squadron. |
The scheme has possibilities undoubt- /
edly.
81 have had more or less acquaint- |
ance with the navy in the last few I
and l am more and more I'M |
pressed with the high type of young 4
man who Is going into the navy as |
IN enlisted man. II seems to me that
L Is possible to develop on shipboard /
The same sort OF spirit that pertains |
,n a college campus, that is, the spirit |
II good fellowship and team work.
Not that don't think II already
sKists, but so many OF our men in
he navy are new to the service that
hey haven't been formed yet I
would like TO see their spirit de-
yeiop along the lines suggested"
AstIVs In Church Work.
Mr.. Davis was born in Chicago 'be-
.ween thirty-ons and thirty -fivs years
lgo." The regulation for ehaplains
requires that the appointes be be-
-wesn these ages and he didn't speci.
v any further when asked his age.
De was educated in the Chicago