Churchmen in Uniform

As the size of the U. S. Army grows, so grows the number of Army chaplains. From 139 attached to the regular force last July, the number of chaplains on active duty last week had mounted to 606, will pass the 1,500 mark by next July.

What a chaplain is and should be was expounded last week in Manhattan at a three-day Chaplains' Training Conference. Besides a brace of generals and many a regular chaplain, the conference heard three outside authorities: Dr. Paul Dwight Moody, president of Middlebury College and onetime Chief of Chaplains of the A. E. F., now on a year's leave of absence to act as the Federal Council of Churches' liaison official between churches and chaplains; Bishop John Francis O'Hara of the Roman Catholic Army and Navy diocese; Rabbi Isaac Landman, editor of the Universal Jewish Encyclopedia and a chaplain with Pershing in Mexico in 1916.

New Importance. Eloquent was Dr. Moody on the new importance of the chaplain. No longer must he double as canteen or mess officer, postmaster, athletic or entertainment director. Now he can concentrate on his spiritual work, aided by the Army's new mobile trailer chapels (there are only twelve so far), complete with altar, loudspeaker, vestments and altar furnishings, portable organ, Bibles, religious literature, other morale equipment. "In 1917," said Dr. Moody, "we were furnished a flag--a piece of blue bunting with a white cross on it. What else? Nothing. . . . It is estimated that 45% of the Army are without church affiliation or religious convictions. When the Army endorses religion as we expect it will by building chapels, it is going to mean more to men than the weekly midweek prayer meeting meant."

Bishop O'Hara advised the chaplains to "take the men and give them all the instruction you possibly can. . . . Know the answers to the things you believe. Tell the soldier all you know about God and tell him all about your relations with God. . . . The Army will give him the natural side; the thing that you have to give is the supernatural side. . . . If we forget all about the supernatural, we are exactly on the Hitler basis." Said Rabbi Landman: in dealing with Jewish boys, the chaplains should remember the differences among Jews in heritage and practice, help them in their religious observances, arrange whenever possible for them to have their holy days free.

Standards for Army chaplains are high. Each applicant must be a graduate of four-year college and three-year theological seminary courses. He must be ordained, have had at least three years' pastoral experience, be recommended by the authorities of his denomination. If he then passes stiff physical and educational tests, he is commissioned a first lieutenant at $167 a month base pay ($263 if married and not resident at an Army post). Highest rank he can reach is colonel (base pay: $4,000, plus $156 a month if he has a family). A chaplain's uniform is an officer's. As insignia he wears a cross (if he is a Christian) or a Star of Bethlehem (if a Jew).

A chaplain is never addressed by his rank, but always--regardless of his faith --as "Chaplain." He performs the same duties as a civilian clergyman. Biggest difference is that his congregation is almost 100% male. A good chaplain accompanies the troops into battle. During World War I, 23 U. S. chaplains were killed.

All Sorts & Conditions. Every U. S. church is allotted chaplains in proportion to the size of its membership. Thus Roman Catholics lead with 140, followed by Baptists (96), Methodists (79), Presbyterians (67), Lutherans (63), Episcopalians (56). There are now six Negro chaplains, and 45 more will soon be appointed.

Present Chief of Chaplains is a Roman Catholic: Colonel William Richard ("Father Will") Arnold, 59, who joined the Army in 1913, has seen service from France to the Philippines. Last week Chaplain Arnold (to his Church he is a Monsignor) expounded his time-tried chaplain's philosophy:

"The job as we see it means more than just holding a service of an hour on Sunday. It means daily gatherings and working closely with the men, giving them the advice they need and the encouragement they demand. . . . One of the things a number of citizens can do . . . is to help clean up the communities adjacent to the camps where so much harm is done the Army. The Army itself never harmed a man, but many a man has come into the Army who was not fit to be in it. . . . Sound and vigorous spirituality in thought and action is the only sure foundation for real patriotism and personal peace and happiness. In these days there is an alarming increase in the number of young men who have no knowledge of God and his eternal law, of the necessity of religious worship and discipline, and of the sure means provided by God for their spiritual growth and security. How shall they know if they are not taught, and by whom shall they be taught if not by an able and zealous chaplain?"

Passed last week by the North Carolina Legislature was a law excusing persons taking oaths from kissing the Bible. Reason: "obsolete and unsanitary."

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