New-York tribune., 1919-02-15
.Comradeship of Service
Il Attracting Thousands,
Bishop Brent Asserts
C.haplains in Fellowship
Christian Church Shaken by
War, but Will Recover;
Few Atheists ''Out There
-..,,-t,s,. 1912 New York Tribune 1ne)

said:
Among the more than 100000
le men Of the overseas army there
los developed one of the most sig
,,scant social movements of the day
7, ;s called the "comradship of SER
vice" Men are joining the move
rent BY the thousands. Their pur-
nose is 70 translate into terms of
civilian life the ideals of the army.
81 The Christian Church does not
.ss realize how Shaken to her very
foundations she was and is But out
- the army service there has grown
Chaplains' Fellowship, which Is at
ones the brightest promise for the
church and ID movement transcending
al Of the present efforts for unity.
II Is church unity on an organic
basis.
q Prohting by the lessons of other
10 countries, the American Expedi-
tionary Force is tightening, if pos
able, the bonds that have written
into history the story of the most
moral fighting force that was ever
modified. Where, in days preced
Ing the armistice, the slogan was
Keep At to fight it now is Keep
f: 10 come home"
All Must Be Physically Fit
Al every embarkation camp abroad
the same physical tests that qualified
for overseas service are being applied.
Even Bishop Brent had to meet this
test before he was permitted to board
transport Nothing is taken for
granted. No man can return unless
be is physically fit.
Bishop Brent talked without re-
straint except when the answer to a
question would have brought him in
conflict with army regulations.
BE had just returned from an impor-
tant conference of religious workers
His stay in this country will be brief
for he is soon to return to general
leadcuarters- There he will turn over
to the chaplains Of the regular army
the organization he built out of moth
ing and that actually created chap
lains' corps, permitting the maximum
Of effort and cooperation.
~ have seen organic church unity
working out in practice" he said. II
personally have received candidates for
pal Church prepared and presented by
q Baptist minister. Out of our ex~
periences, where we have seen men con-
cerned with the big, the tremendous
things, we have arrived at working
basis The things that the Church has
leraned in the field she cannot lose
sight Of.
Fellowship Attracts All
THE Chaplsins' Fellowship is attract
Ing Catholic and Protestant, Jews and
. sdherents Of other faiths. AS one Jes-
uit priest put il TO me, we have been
able to speak to men Of whatever faith
because there has been common fund
Of essentials Now the chaplains are
being united for work at home in the
same bonds that have united them in
tie field Call il organic unity, call
1t what you wilt worked in the field,
snd the men who saw it work and who
worked It are going to apply their ex-
perence to problems OF the Church at
home
Most people Of the church do not
,ealize how she was shaken to her very
Foundations, how she is being shaken.
But the greatest promise for the church
Is that, side By side, SO many faiths
lave found a unity Of understanding.
Tee Church IS bigger and better for
shat she has been through. 1t is the
Common experience Of the men that
have been touched by the church that
they have been moved by the spectacle
u men willing to die for what they
believe.
No Atheists "Out There
The clergyman in the chaplain's uni
lorm has been compelling figure
Because % this spirit Of sacrificing SER
Nes the Church has shown we shall
aave less difficulty in recruiting men
ior the ministry who feel that they
rant 70 play mans part in the world.
IL has been ny experience, in COM
non with That Of many observers, that
have seen 10 atheists out there. The
Zen going into battle have believed in
"ne'hing stronger than themselves
''Ias'hiag Of which they were a part.
have ministered to men as they
's's going into battle. l have seen
zen exalted because Of their idcalism
is9 because Of their convictions.
'N's seen them 70 unafraid.
Saw one wounded man My atten-
s'H ~sz attracted by his wound stripe
- "as going into battle again. Chap
an am afraid ne told me, when
'sstioned him bur he added in the
eao.'
D'x Enough to Tell Fears
"hen ! speak Of that man az afraid,
-yAt mean ne Was timid. He had
-" 'as there. He knew suffering
,s nan recoils from that. But he
4 40 ez enough 70 tell Of his fears
e'Y enough 10 tell Of hia hopes