Evening journal., 1919-02-05
CORDIAL WELCOME
EORCHAPLAING GRANT
Civ Joins Church in Happy
Greet ng to Priest Home
from War
DIDN'T GET CHANCE
TO KILL GERMAN


Knights Of Columbus was crowded
from FIRST to top floors last night with
friends who had come 70 welcome the
Rev James NJ Grant back TO the city
after a years service as army chaplain
IN this country and France. 10 was one
ef the finest tributes ever paid 10 a
Wilmingt0nian by his fellow citizens
During the evening, Robinson's o. ehes-
ira played, and they also played for
The singing Of national songs by the
assembly. There was a plentiful
sprinkling Of khaki in the multitude
that shook hands with the returning
nriest during the reception hour, from
5 TO o'clock.
Bishop John J. Monaghan and Father
Grant were escorted TO the hall by
/ Fourth Degree Knights, OF the Knights
OF Columbus. Or. Grant himself is a
Fourth Degree knight.
Afler The reception, the guest OF
honor was taken to The upper hall, and
made The recipient Of welcoming
speeches from prominent Wilmington
| ians. The receiving line included
john 5. Rossell, chairman OF the pro-
gram committee; the Right Rev. John
j. Monaghan, Mayor John W. Lawson,
the Rev. Father T. F. Waldron. ez-
Senator Thomas NJ. Monaghan, Grand
knight Eugene l. Toy, the Rev. James
NJ Grant, the Rev. l.. Jacquier, ]. Al
fred Spragg, James II. Cole, Herbert p.
kaighn c. NJ. Horgan, George NJ. Pen
neck, William A. Hannlgan, John J. Me-
Goldriek, George A. Messiek, Frank
O'Donnell, Joseph I. Ford, William 4
Lynn, +. J. Vasey. James Dugan, Cap
tain James j. 0'Neill, Lieutenant g.
II. Thornton, Captain A. D. Dart Lieut.
enant c. II. Thornton, Captain A. %.
Dart, Lieutenant w. r. Farren, Lieu
tenant J. Norris Robinson, sergeant J.
H. McAdams, Private Il. Abyssinio, Ser
geant Lawrence W. Z. Mccarthy, SER
gesnt II. S. Blickle and Corporal ]. c.
Dougherty.
The guests Of henor at the reception
included Mayor John w. Lawson,
Bishop Monaghan, ex-senator Thomas
NJ. Monaghan, the Rev T.. r. Waldron,
the Rev. L. lacquer, Father Comiskey,
Of Dover, and Father AZ. Cotter, Of
Ridgely, Md.
IN opening the speeeh-making, Mr.,
R0ssell said:
I'VE are met 20 honor one Of Della
wares best sons. one who replying to
the call Of duty went forth 10 give his
best, and his life II need be. TO his
country. lie devoted part OF his energy
10 raising a large fund for the Knights
Of Columbus War Fund, approximately
100000, but that did not satisfy hlT/
lie gave his services as chaplain that
ne might be closely associated with the
boys Of the ranks. He went from place
90 place carrying blessings and helpful
ness II is ftting that we, his fellow
t0wnsmen, members OF the same order,
and Catholic brethren and friends
should pay him the honor he so richly
deserves"
Mr.. Rossell introduced Bishop Mon
aghan as the first speaker. The bishop
said:
1T is a pleasure to me to be here this
evening to welcome Father Grant after
his year service as a chaplain in the
United States Army. There is good
reason 10 rejoice that he has come back
safe and sound, and with the added
experience OF his mlnistering 10 the
spiritual and corporal needs Of the sol
dlers. This terrible war which brought
so much suffering and ended with so
much glory TO our country, afforded the
Catholic church an opportunity TO show
what she will always be ready to do
for our country. No sacrifice was too
great for priests and people 10 make
The Knights Of Columbus, whose work
for the soldiers and sailors began at
the outbreak Of hOstllities, Is still car
ing for the soldiers and sailors wheF-
ever they are 10 be found. In the serv-
ice Of the country, 33 per cent OF the
enrolled men were Catholic boys. Chap
lalns were needed for them.
Father Grant was the flrst commits
stoned chaplain from our own do
eese. He was soon followed by three
Oblate Fathers. all Wilmington boys,
who are still min'stering 10 our men
in France. Another priest had volun-
ieered but was prevented by the acci-
dental death of his brother in a South
ern camp. Still another priest. Father
Knlroy) sacrificed his life while min
istering 10 the boys at the naval base
in Lewes during the epidemic More
than ten per cent OF the priests OF
the diocese volunteered for chaplain
service. Had il been necessary every
priest would have answered the call.
welcome Father Grant back to his
home and work. He has had the titles
Of chaplain and Lieutenant; he has had
another title Of doctor, but | know the
title byJwhich he prefers TO be called
is the one by which he will now be
known, that OF father
Mayor Lawson introduced by Mr..
Rossell said:
Il have become used 10 following
Mr.. Rossell during the past few
months. as a speaker. II was my privi-
leee 10 be a guest at the time Father
Grant left home and friends. going we
knew not where. Those were dark
days 10 US as a nation. We had rea-
son 10 wonder whether we would be
victorious or whether the German En-
perior would triumph. My family tell
me l don't have 10 worry about the
moon any longer. Every moonlight
night. ! used TO think OF the air bonn
bardmenis.
"To CAPTAIN Grant pay the highest
knowing that however much
sacrifice Il took, he went willingly.
"Faiher Grant. Wilmington rejoices
hat YOU are home again safely. Men
N your character make Wilmington
one OF the best Of cities, notwihstand-
ns there are some people who knock
md knock, and only knock, until you
would think II was one OF the worst
lilies. In our rejoicing, let US not for
-et the brave lads who died for our