Christian Science War Time Activities/Chapter 08
VIII
TIMELY RECOGNITION
In the New York World for February 5, 1918, there appeared the following editorial:
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE NAVY
“The appointment by Secretary Daniels of a Christian Scientist as navy chaplain denotes a significant change in the public attitude toward the faith founded by Mrs. Eddy.
“Could such a selection of a spiritual adviser have been conceived of in Dewey's navy? Christian Science then and long after was anathema to the regular religious denominations of the country. Legislation was invoked to restrain it, medical societies prosecuted its practitioners and it was made to bear the brunt of a powerful opposition everywhere. Now the Government gives it full recognition and accords its readers an equal status with the ministers of other creeds. Besides the navy chaplain, there are two Christian Science chaplains in the army.
“So have the old antagonisms subsided and the earlier intolerance given way under the spirit of religious freedom. History has repeated itself once more and the new kirk has fought its way to a place alongside of the old kirk. It has been an interesting process, and the outcome is notable as an illustration of the liberalizing tendencies of modern opinion, whether religious or political.”
Such was the tolerant and friendly attitude with which the public as a whole accepted the appointment of Christian Science chaplains in the army and navy.
When on April 6, 1917, the United States made the memorable decision which allied her with the other liberty-loving nations of the world, struggling for the preservation of freedom, Christian Scientists were not slow to respond to the call to arms. It was natural that they should wish to be represented in the Chaplain Corps and efforts were at once made towards securing official recognition of Christian Science chaplains, who should minister to the spiritual needs of men of their own faith.
The appointment of Christian Scientists to this position was first made possible by an amendment to the Revised Statutes of the United States authorizing the President to commission twenty chaplains-at-large to represent those denominations not already included in the existing law. Prior to this chaplains were drawn from the membership of those churches united as The Federated Churches of Christ of America, and the Roman Catholic Church, and all applicants were required to be ordained clergymen. Not included in this list were several denominations which had many members in the service, and to meet their demands the Chaplain-at-large bill was introduced and passed by Congress and approved by the President on October 26, 1917. The Committee of the House having this bill in charge recommended that these chaplains be given a roving commission not attaching them to any one regiment directly. The concluding paragraph of the order as passed by Congress was as follows:
“Division commanders may apply to the Adjutant General of the Army for the services of chaplains-at-large of the Jewish, Christian Science, Eastern Catholic, Mormon, and Salvation Army denominations if they deem that there are sufficient numbers of the adherents of such faiths in their divisions to render chaplains-at-large necessary.”
This made it possible for the members of these denominations to have the services of a chaplain of their own faith and to have services conducted according to the tenets of their church.
A person seeking a commission in the army as a chaplain must make application to the Adjutant General in Washington. He must be a citizen of the United States over 21 and under 45 years of age; must be a graduate of a recognized college or university or able to pass an examination in certain subjects named by the Adjutant General; he must be in good physical health and is obliged to pass a thorough physical examination before an army medical officer, and must be endorsed and recommended by the governing board of the denomination of which he is a member. The examining board reports its findings to the Adjutant General with recommendations, and if these are favorable to the applicant he is in due time given a commission with the rank of a first lieutenant. He wears the uniform of an officer with the proper insignia as stipulated by the Uniform Regulations. All chaplains with the exception of those of the Jewish faith wear a small Latin cross of silver or white metal as the insignia of their office. The Jewish chaplain wears a small six-pointed star.
The first appointment of chaplains under the Chaplain-at-large act gave the Christian Scientists two, who were endorsed to the Secretary of War by the Christian Science Board of Directors. This was a timely and official recognition by the United States Government of the Christian Science movement. Mr. Edward W. Dickey of Los Angeles, California, and Mr. Martin F. Jackson of New York City were the first appointees, receiving their commissions in November, 1917. On June 1, 1918, a third army chaplain was announced, Mr. Walter S. Cross of Baltimore, Maryland. In August of the same year three additional appointments were made as follows: Mr. Gustavus S. Paine of Reno, Nevada, and Mr. Arthur C. Whitney and Mr. George R. Bonner, both of Boston, Massachusetts. When a Chaplains' Training School was opened in October, 1918, at Camp Taylor, Kentucky, four Christian Scientists entered as candidates. Mr. William M. Bartlett of Concord, Massachusetts, and Mr. Harry K. Filler of Youngstown, Ohio, were graduated and received their commissions in November, 1918. Mr. Herbert W. Beck of Oakland, California, was graduated about two weeks later and assigned to duty and Mr. Don C. Gilman of San Francisco, California, received a commission in the Reserve Officers' Corps and at once returned to civil life.
Certain definite duties are prescribed for chaplains, probably chief of which is the maintenance of the morale of the men under their care. They are, of course, required to hold religious services whenever circumstances permit, being obliged only to hold those of the denomination to which they belong. In the case of Christian Science chaplains, however, their willingness to conduct undenominational services in addition to their own created a very favorable impression. Chaplains may hold classes for religious instruction, and must supervise the education of those who are deficient in the ordinary branches of learning. They are required to visit and comfort the sick and when their men are called into action the chaplain's place is with the wounded and in the dressing stations. The breadth of these regulations gave our chaplains wide latitude and enabled them to be of great service to their men.
The Christian Science chaplains who were assigned to camps in this country held regular services in Y. M. C. A. huts. Of the first service in Camp Lee, Virginia, Chaplain Dickey wrote:
“You will be interested to know that we held the first Christian Science service at Camp Lee last Sunday at 9 in the morning, more than two hundred officers and men being present. The attention paid to the reading by the entire congregation was remarkable. A Y. M. C. A. hut is never a very quiet place for a religious service, but on this occasion there was not the slightest disturbance. Many of those present were attending their first Christian Science service and one man asked for a copy of the textbook, another pronouncing it the best church service he had ever attended. The singing was splendid. Three Y. M. C. A. Secretaries remained in the room throughout the meeting and followed the reading with a Quarterly. I was assisted in the service by a private soldier, and am sure it brought a healing message.”
All Christian Scientists in camp, no matter to what unit attached, Infantry, Artillery or Engineers, were given leave to attend these services. The chaplains made the round of the camp each week, spending an appointed time with each battalion when the men could meet with them and procure literature and whatever help was necessary. They were given the freedom of quarantined areas and base hospitals, where Christian Science Monitors were distributed freely. Occasionally talks on Christian Science were given to the officers of the camp upon their own request; and official government notice of services published in the “daily communique” were read at “formation” before every man in camp. At Wednesday evening meetings often a discussion of means of protection against all possible enemy attack ensued, and men were thereby mentally armored for the strife before them.
Whether in this country or overseas, among other duties the Christian Science chaplains gave lectures on current events, ran educational classes, gave magic lantern exhibitions, organized baseball teams, refereed sporting contests, acted as interlocutors in minstrel shows, arranged dances for enlisted men, sang in concerts, erected Christmas trees, placed The Christian Science Monitor in Officers' Clubs and in Red Cross and Y. M. C. A. Rest Rooms, ran canteens, cooked for boys away from their mess on special detail, assisted as stretcher bearers, helped surgeons in first aid stations, carried messages back to Division Headquarters, dug graves, laid boys away, conducted their burial services, took care of their valuables, wrote to the bereaved parents, joked with the boys who wanted to laugh and wept with those who would cry. Necessity really made the chaplain the mother of the army.
The Christian Science Monitor became the chaplain's first aid in action. It went over the top tucked away in many a boy's blouse. It was carried up in aeroplanes and down in submarines. It found a place in tanks and rode securely in caissons. It was first read as a spiritual comforter and then used as a material one, being spread between the blankets to keep its possessor warm. Boys who had fallen were wrapped in a blanket and given a Christian Science Monitor to read while a canned heat kit and a soup cube were being brought into action. Boys who went over the top carried no pack or blanket but upon gaining their objective, many a boy made a bed of a Christian Science Monitor to sleep on until supplies and relief could be brought up. During bombardment, if in the daytime, to take a Christian Science Monitor and quietly sit down by the roadside and read did much to stabilize the men of the command; if at night to hum or whistle the air from one of our Leader's hymns had the same effect.
Chaplain Dickey was first assigned to Camp Upton, New York. After a month's sojourn here he was transferred to Camp Lee, Virginia, where the 80th Division was in training. When the Division went overseas in July, the chaplain accompanied it. They spent the month of August at the front with the British army just north of Amiens. Here the chaplain did a good work in supplying Monitors to the front line troops—always finding them eager to receive the paper which brought them news of home. He was transferred in September to duty with the 91st Division, said to contain more Christian Scientists than any other one division, estimates ranging up to 1200 men. These troops were just being sent into active service and our chaplain, of course, accompanied them, endeavoring to keep in touch with his men as much as the rapid movement of the troops permitted. That he was indeed in the right place at the right time the following from one of his letters will indicate:
“Only recently I walked into a hospital to see a lieutenant who was very ill, and who was just making preparations to wire me for help. As far as he knew I was miles from his station. He had a splendid healing. On another occasion, I walked out of a wood and across a road to where a southern California regiment was encamped and hidden from enemy observation and walked into a soldier whom I had never seen and who was at that moment looking for me.”
After some weeks' service with the 91st, the chaplain was sent back for rest and recuperation, turning over his duties to another Christian Scientist. He returned to this country after the signing of the armistice and has since had his honorable discharge from the army.
Chaplain Jackson was first assigned to Camp Dix, New Jersey, and as it was early designated as an embarkation camp, he requested to be transferred overseas with the men among whom he had been working, the 78th Division. This division arrived in France in August and was at once sent to the firing line, serving forty-two days on the British front, twenty-one days at St. Mihiel and twenty-six days in the Argonne, most of this time under direct fire, although also used for support and subjected only to indirect fire and night air raids. With it went our chaplain. He was assigned to a point located about in the center of the various units of the division. From here he went about at first on foot, then on a bicycle and later in an army car, delivering Christian Science literature, especially the Monitor, to men in the various units and conducting or organizing Christian Science services for our boys. His senior chaplain wrote:
“Allow me to express to you my appreciation of the way you have carried on your work throughout the division. In the face of very great difficulties you have been untiring and successful in getting to your men. You have set a very inspiring example of devotion to the men in the trenches.
“Your task is peculiarly difficult because of the fact that your men are scattered and you cannot throw yourself into the little group in which you live, and feel justified in forgetting all the rest of the division. In a way the ordinary battalion chaplain has an easier task. His men are always right at hand and he can get to them at a moment's notice.”
As the 78th saw so much active service, our chaplain felt his first duty was to the men, and, although an officer, lived entirely with the “doughboys” in the war zone, eating, sleeping and marching with them. In one of his letters he says:
“Aside from the incessant whizzing of shells and breaking of bombs overhead, I was gassed several times. I was caught in a barrage four times—once being held between two barrages for two hours and another time being knocked down by the concussion of high explosive shells and being the only one of several to come out of the ‘salvo’ unharmed. You will know by this I did my duty and was not a back area helper. I went ‘over’ with the last attack at the Bois des Loges and followed our division for three days going from Grand Pré almost to Sedan where we were relieved.”
When the armistice was declared this chaplain was cited by Headquarters and chosen for duty with the 90th Division, having the freedom of the entire Army of Occupation for his field, however. He was located at Berncastel on the Moselle, where he soon secured permission to open a Christian Science soldiers' reading room which was utilized by many of the men. Later reading rooms where Christian Science literature could be obtained were also established under his supervision at Hillisheim, Daun, Zeltinger, Kinheim, Longkamp, Neumagen.
“I had the pleasure,” writes Chaplain Jackson, "of making the official picture for government record before a ‘movie’ camera of a religious service conducted back of the firing line. I stood on a tank reading from Science and Health with the Bible and Quarterly in my other hand and men grouped about me.”
When the division left for home he was transferred to St. Nazaire, one of the principal embarkation ports for our armies in France, where he subsequently rendered most efficient service during the days of final embarkation.
The third Christian Science army chaplain, Mr. Walter S. Cross, received his commission on June 1, 1918, and was ordered to report at Camp Stuart, Virginia. He sailed for overseas the latter part of June, and on the trip across conducted services for the men on the deck of the steamer. Upon reporting at General Headquarters he was assigned for duty with the 89th Division, where Christian Science services were at once instituted, as well as those of an undenominational nature. He was shortly transferred to the 27th Division, where he found a number of officers and enlisted men interested in Christian Science. Six men came a distance of seven kilometers to attend the services, so highly did they value them. Athletic activity and some entertainment had been started, when the men were called into active service at the front. This division was cited for excellent work in the battle of the Salle, near Le Cateau. Their losses were very slight, the chaplain helping and encouraging them throughout the engagement.
After the signing of the armistice this division moved to the Le Mans area and the chaplain became active in helping the men in that district, beginning Christian Science services at the Forwarding Camp where there were some 40,000 men and at the Belgian Camp where there were about 20,000. In one of his letters he says:
“At the Forwarding Camp two Y. M. C. A. girls have been a great help. They are both devoted students of Christian Science and alternated as Second Reader when no one else in camp was available.”
This gives an interesting glimpse of the accomplishments of the women workers overseas.
In August, 1918, three additional Christian Science chaplains in the army received their appointments. Of these, one, Mr. Gustavus S. Paine, was assigned for work at Camp Devens, Massachusetts. Here he was able to cooperate with the representatives of the War Relief Committee who had been working in this cantonment for a number of months. The Christian Science Board of Directors provided him with an automobile to enable him to get about the camp more readily and as he said in one of his letters:
“I made it a point never to ride alone, even on my rounds of the camp, but always picked up someone going in my direction, including doctors, nurses, officers, privates and chaplains.”
His duties, like those of the other chaplains, included providing for or overseeing wholesome entertainment for the boys and on account of its proximity to Boston he was able to secure some excellent talent for the Y. M. C. A. programs. Christian Science services were of course conducted under his supervision and much help extended to the men in uniform. With the signing of the armistice, the aspect of the work at Camp Devens was much altered and in consequence he received his discharge on December 19, 1918.
The third chaplain appointed in August, 1917, Mr. Arthur C. Whitney, received orders to sail for France almost immediately and upon his arrival was assigned as chaplain at the Army Schools near Langres. After a short stay at that point he was transferred on October 5, to the 91st Division, in active service in Belgium. In this Belgian campaign our army operated in conjunction with the British, French and Belgian under the command of the King of Belgium, being used four times in support of the French in the battle of the Lys-Scheldte. The division went into action itself on October 31, remaining until November 10, at which date they had reached the town of Hoorbeke-St-Corneille. It is of interest to note that the division was cited for its successful work.
Of our chaplain's part in this advance his captain wrote as follows:
“Chaplain Whitney marched with me at the head of my company through heavy shell fire when we marched into position for the attack. His calm and encouraging remarks helped materially to steady the men and, I am frank to say, caused me to feel a security and confidence that I have never felt before under shell fire. Later I was ordered to take my company across the Scheldte and relieve a certain French organization to our front. Chaplain Whitney insisted on being with the company even though I told him how dangerous our task was. We passed through the French first line and, with the company deployed as skirmishers over a seven-hundred-yard front, advanced to a village (Hoorbeke-St-Corneille) eight hundred yards beyond. We took this village under heavy machine gun and shell fire and drove out fifty German machine gunners. Chaplain Whitney stayed with me throughout the engagement in the front line and I am glad to say my company did not suffer one single casualty. Divine Providence guided us safely to our position and we received word that any further advance would be postponed. The following morning as we were forming for the attack, the armistice had been signed.”
After the cessation of hostilities the 91st Division followed the Germans through Belgium as far as Brussels, later returning to France to the embarkation area near Le Mans to await transportation to America. During this time our chaplain was very active on behalf of his men and established Christian Science soldiers' reading rooms at the following places in Belgium: Hoorbeke-St-Corneille, Muelebeke, Herzele on the Franco-Belgian border and at Nogent-le-Bernard in France. The rooms were maintained as long as the army remained in these cities and were always the headquarters for Christian Scientists. Books marked for the lesson-sermon of the current week, and scriptural selections and hymns to further complete the service were always available. A set was always kept marked for the following week for the reason that from ten to twenty-five Christian Science services a week conducted by the men themselves were at one time being held in the 91st Division. The necessity for completely preparing the lesson is apparent and although readings for an entire service were at their disposal, the men often worked out new selections for themselves. These boys were also organized by the chaplain into what was called the “91st Division Literature Distribution Committee,” which, as its name implies, made each Science boy a committee through whom our literature reached those who were ready for it.
Under the direction of the chaplain also what was known as a “Welfare Outfit” was organized and conducted. This consisted of a canteen, a three-chair American barber shop, a tailor shop, a six-night-a-week entertainment, a reading and writing room, a recreation room fitted up with games of various sorts, and a package department. This last was an office to which men could bring all packages they wished sent home. They were weighed, wrapped and properly stamped and started on their trip across the Atlantic. So thoroughgoing and successful was the “Welfare Outfit” that an officer who inspected it declared it was one of the finest he had seen in France. Soon after, the 91st left the embarkation area and sailing from St. Nazaire, arrived in this country in April, 1919. The chaplain accompanied them and has since that time received his honorable discharge from the service.
We add with pleasure that since Chaplain Whitney's discharge, with the approbation of the Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, the Marshal of France, Petain, who is Commander-in-Chief of the French Armies of the East, issued the following citation:
“Chaplain Arthur C. Whitney, 364 Regiment Infantry near Waereghem, Belgium, October 31, 1918, placed himself at the head of the company and marched with it to the reserved positions. By his courageous works and his coolness he aided in keeping good order among this troop.”
The official record of the regiment mentions the incident as “one of the most deadly shellings which the regiment sustained.” For this service the French Government awarded Chaplain Whitney the Croix de Guerre with bronze star.
The second of the two Chaplains appointed in August, Mr. George R. Bonner, was assigned to duty with the 31st or Dixie Division, then in Camp Wheeler, Georgia. As the 31st was soon ordered overseas he accompanied it to Camp Mills, sailing to France in October, 1918, attached to the 106th Field Signal Battalion. Here he was stationed at the little town of Bracieux, Loir-et-Cher, and as the 31st Division was broken up on its arrival in France our chaplain remained with the 106th Field Signal Battalion, serving the wants of the men scattered through some thirteen towns in that section. Here he was active in securing and building up a good Y. M. C. A., which involved scouring the country round about to procure the necessary equipment. He also held regular army religious services in some ten different towns, assisting as well any Christian Scientists who came to him for help, being designated as Depot Chaplain for this area.
When later transferred to Cour-Cheverny, Loir-et-Cher, our chaplain was instrumental in starting a weekly newspaper, entitled, “Toot-Sweet.” This was a success and became the organ of the Signal Corps men. Here also he secured a large tent auditorium for moving pictures and other camp entertainment, as previous to this no adequate place was available. Regular Christian Science services were also instituted at Cour-Cheverny. Something of the activity of the chaplain for one day will be indicated by the following from one of his letters:
“Tomorrow I must go about the area arranging for Sunday services; must call on the owner of a château to arrange for a dance for the major; look up a man in trouble in one of the battalions; take a book on farming that came to me by mail from Paris to another man; call at the hospital; go to headquarters on two items and arrange for some work for the band. That and visits to one or two men who have asked me to see them are all that I have in view but experience has taught me to expect other incidents.”
Our chaplain remained at Cour-Cheverny until the breaking up of the depot there, when he was temporarily assigned to Tours awaiting further orders. The following letter from a Y. M. C. A. Secretary who worked with our Chaplain will indicate something of the friendly relations established by him:
“Blois, February 21, 1919.
“To Whom It May Concern:
“It has been my pleasure to be associated with Chaplain George R. Bonner, U. S. A., in the work of the Y. M. C. A. in the A. E. F. I have found him a very energetic and efficient officer. Our relations have been the happiest. He was instrumental to a degree in furthering our very successful work at Bracieux and Cour-Cheverny in the Blois Division. His efforts in promoting the welfare of the enlisted men have been tireless, and he did all in his power to procure the meager supplies that it was possible to obtain.
“I want to emphasize the fact that Chaplain Bonner was more than solicitous that the Young Men's Christian Association should have due recognition, and any criticism of it was keenly felt by him. In behalf of the organization of my Division I wish to express herein my gratitude and appreciation.
“(Signed) Div. Secretary, Y. M. C. A., Blois.”
In October, 1918, four Christian Scientists, Mr. Harry K. Filler, Mr. William M. Bartlett, Mr. Herbert W. Beck, and Mr. Don C. Gilman, were admitted as candidates to a Chaplains' Training School held at Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky. Of these, two finished the prescribed five weeks' course in four weeks and received their commissions. While at Camp Taylor the influenza epidemic was at its height and these candidates were asked to do hospital duty, which resulted in healing to many.
Mr. Filler and Mr. Bartlett were graduated in November, received sailing orders at once and left for France on November 15 to be assigned upon their arrival overseas. Together they attended a Chaplains' School near Le Mans and were then ordered to duty, Mr. Bartlett to Bordeaux and Mr. Filler to Base Hospital No. 7 at Beaune. Chaplain Filler made the most of a wonderful opportunity to turn men's thoughts towards spiritual things through the shining light of a good example. For some months work among the men in the wards was faithfully done, each one soon learning that the chaplain was his friend and ever ready to be of service.
At Christmas time he wrote:
“The Red Cross gave each man a pair of woolen stockings filled. I was delegated to get them around the wards and it was a real pleasure for me to do so. I went into town, Beaune, and bought all the pretty little cards one store had, some 890, and asked fellows who were good writers to write the names of all the patients on them. Being mail censor I am quite sure that about every one of those cards is on its way to the States now, bearing mute evidence to the fact that the boys were remembered on Christmas day. I had arranged with the Red Cross to give me some extra stockings and I had a detail of men take them down to the forty-five fellows in the camp prison. I never did anything that was any more appreciated and it gave me a splendid opportunity to tell the fellows there that I was their chaplain and friend.”
The chaplain's presence in the surgical ward came to be much appreciated, for the boys and the doctors felt his helpful encouraging thought and wanted him to be at hand during a trying time.
He held undenominational services in the hospital and one boy who was a regular attendant remarked:
“I feel different about things since I came here to the hospital and have heard you. You have brought God very much nearer to me than He has ever seemed before.”
The progress made by the patients in the hospital was very marked and when the chaplain was assigned to duty at the A. E. F. University at Beaune the Commander of the hospital wrote the following letter to him, which speaks for itself:
| “Headquarters, Base Hospital No. 77. |
| “APO 909, American E. F. |
| “Beaune, Côte d'Or, France. |
| “March 8, 1919. |
“To whom these presents may come, Greetings:
“This is to certify that Harry K. Filler was the Chaplain of Base Hospital No. 77, APO 909, American Expeditionary Forces, France. His work with this organization was of the highest type. It was characterized by his tireless efforts to relieve the suffering of the sick and wounded and his conscientious desire to comfort, encourage and entertain the boys in the hospital. His was at all times a helping hand. He is a man of exceptional qualities and high ideals and he has done much to stimulate the moral standing of the soldiers and to relieve them in many material ways.
“It gives me great pleasure to testify to the character, integrity and veracity of Chaplain Filler. He came to us a stranger, but leaves with the love and high esteem of all the officers and soldiers of Base Hospital No. 77.
“(Signed)
| ——————————— |
| “Lieut.-Colonel, Medical Corps. |
| “Commanding Base Hospital No. 77.” |
Chaplain Filler was then transferred to the A. E. F. University of Beaune, where some 18,000 soldier students were in attendance. His undenominational talks to the men were well attended, and on some occasions many were turned away. He also conducted a class in Bible study which was received with much interest. Regular Christian Science services were held Sunday and Wednesday for the boys who were interested. He had charge of the athletics of the University and himself sometimes took a hand in the game. He gave much care and supervision to work on the American cemetery at Beaune, for as he said in a recent letter:
“I am finding out what Paul meant when he spoke of being all things to all people.”
The second of the two chaplains, Mr. Bartlett, after a short sojourn at the Chaplains' School at Château l'Aux Loupeland was assigned on December 9, to duty at Bordeaux in Camp de Souge. This was one of the finest and largest camps in France, having a capacity of 25,000, with some 13,000 troops generally in waiting there on, their way back to the United States. The population was constantly changing, which gave the chaplain opportunity of reaching new men continually with the Truth. Two regular army services were conducted in a “Y” hut each Sunday and soon after the chaplain's arrival Christian Science boys in attendance at these undenominational talks marked our chaplain for a Scientist and sought him out afterwards. Our own services were soon started and a midweek meeting was also conducted. These were announced in the bulletin of religious services so that newcomers to the camp found them as soon as they arrived.
The chaplain's room in camp became a haven of retreat for boys who wished to read and study undisturbed and in one case a boy who had not known what it was to have a quiet moment alone for months was healed of a serious throat trouble while reading the lesson in the chaplain's quarters. As elsewhere our chaplain had charge of the athletic and entertainment features of the camp, visited the hospitals, distributed our literature to those who wished it and found his days very full of busy activity.
One especially interesting development of his work was the kindly help to men in the Detention camp. These men were not permitted to sail for home because suffering from a form of venereal disease. They were looked upon as being in disgrace and their general condition was one of condemnation and hopelessness. Several of them appealed to our chaplain for help and he met nearly every day with a little group dubbed in fun “The Day Break Club,” to read the lesson. Much earnest study took place and splendid progress was noted. During the month of February, Mr. Bartlett was made ranking chaplain of Camp de Souge, which put all the activities of a religious nature under his direction. Some months later the medical lieutenant colonel and the major of Camp de Souge, requested our chaplain to accompany the Detention Battalion to a new camp near Bordeaux. His work was so much appreciated that he was asked to remain with the staff until all of the men were on their way to America.
The third candidate who attended the Chaplains' Training School at Camp Taylor, Mr. Herbert W. Beck, received his commission in November, 1918, and was assigned to duty at Camp Kearny, California, in December. Here the Christian Science Welfare House built by the War Relief Committee was just about to be taken over by the Government. Our chaplain was given this house as his headquarters and conducted Christian Science services on Sunday and a midweek meeting as well.
The following splendid bit from one of his letters will indicate something of the work he did:
“Since I have been in the army, four army chaplains have been healed and taken up the study of Christian Science. The first was in training camp, the others here. One here has been healed of an abnormal growth, nervous prostration and another chronic ill, while his wife has been healed of misplacement and tuberculosis. Another after being healed and reading his Science and Health saw that this was the way that he had been seeking, took his discharge saying he ‘could no longer preach the old dogmas’ and went with his little book into civil life to be a Scientist. The fourth was instantly healed of stomach trouble of years' standing and he asked me today to take over his wife's case. The second and fourth chaplains just mentioned are faithful attendants at my service in the Christian Science House and also make it their place of meeting with me each day.”
The fourth candidate at the training school, Mr. Don C. Gilman, was graduated in November, 1918, and received his commission in the Reserve Force. As the armistice had just been signed, he was given his discharge and returned to civil life.
Only one chaplain was appointed in the United States Navy. In January, 1918, Mr. Richard J. Davis of Boston, Massachusetts, received his commission, and was assigned for a short time to the Boston Navy Yard. While there, a service was held aboard the U. S. S. Salem, of which the Christian Science Sentinel for April 27, 1918, had the following description:
A NOTABLE SERVICE
“On Sunday, February 17, 1918, there took place on one of the battleships stationed at Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, the first official Christian Science service to be held in the United States Navy. The ship was rigged for church, and at a few minutes before half past ten o'clock the bugle call for divine service was sounded. At the same time the church flag which bears the cross was raised, this flag being the only one which is ever hoisted above the Stars and Stripes. It remained flying throughout the duration of the service, to indicate that divine worship was in progress aboard the ship.
“The reading desk consisted of two steel barrels and several flat gratings covered with an American flag. A piano was available for hymns and solo, and chairs and benches were provided for the audience. Chaplain Richard J. Davis, U. S. N., acted as First Reader and Lieutenant Samuel W. Burgess as Second Reader. With the exception of a few guests the audience was composed of naval officers and seamen to the number of thirty or forty. All felt the deepest gratitude and joy that Christian Science services are now made possible for the men of the navy.”
The chaplain was soon assigned for permanent duty aboard the U. S. S. Roanoke. This ship was one of a fleet of ten mine-layers then under orders to sail for an European base to lay a barrage of mines across the North Sea. A number of officers and enlisted men on this ship were students or interested readers of our literature and before the squadron left this country the chaplain was conducting Christian Science services, as well as undenominational services, aboard his ship.
When the fleet silently sailed for Europe under heavy convoy, our chaplain was designated as chaplain for the entire squadron of mine-layers and he, with the other Christian Scientists aboard, began to realize the magnitude of the work they were called upon to do. The chaplain's cabin became the headquarters for the Science boys and an earnest group gathered in it each day to read the lesson and gain spiritual inspiration for the work in hand. We quote from a letter written by these men to the Christian Science Board of Directors about the time of the annual meeting in June, 1918:
“Dear Friends: We, a group of men serving together on an American man-of-war, take this opportunity of expressing our loyalty to The Mother Church, and the Christian Science Board of Directors in annual meeting assembled.
“Never did we realize the priceless gift of Christian Science more than in these days of war, when it has carried us in the silent watches of the night through seeming danger of fog, mine, and submarine, and has been an ever-present Comforter assuring us of a complete and certain safety.
“We wish to express our gratitude for the provision of literature and our vest-pocket edition of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, for the good things provided through the Comforts Forwarding Committee and the Camp Welfare workers, also for the privilege of holding Christian Science services each Sunday on board our ship.
“It is a comfort for us to know that we have the loving thoughts and prayers of our friends, and Christian Scientists everywhere, helping us in our work, whether it be in the trenches or on the sea.
“Almost every night those of us who are interested in Christian Science gather for the lesson-sermon, or to hear some good article from our publications. We are grateful for the opportunity we have of proving the Principle of Christian Science; and striving each day to abide in the secret place of the most High, we know that evil shall not come nigh our dwelling.
“The enclosed checks for $100 are the contribution of the boys and officers on board our ship to the War Relief Fund.
“With loving wishes,”
(Signed—Committee.)
On the trip across, a torpedo from a submarine was fired across the bow of the Roanoke but failed to strike it and from then on the story of the protection afforded this entire naval operation is one which to human thought seems miraculous. The mine barrage was laid across the North Sea from the Orkney Islands to the coast of Norway and during their nine months abroad, the mine-layers made thirteen trips out into the North Sea, in constant danger from enemy submarines, airships, and floating mines, while being laden themselves with tons of the deadly explosive TNT. Each of the larger ships, it is said, carried three times as much of this explosive as that which destroyed the town of Halifax.
It was the duty of our chaplain to accompany his ship on these mine-laying excursions, and in addition to the task of providing for the spiritual needs of the men, he was given what was known as a “vigilance watch.” Thus while the other officers slept and the squadron, sometimes accompanied by twelve destroyers and armed cruisers, silently steamed along in the darkness of the North Sea, the Christian Science chaplain was on guard, knowing the power of the ever-presence of God to protect all these ships. There were several submarine attacks on the fleet but none were successful.
Once the entire squadron, through an error in the navigation charts, crossed and recrossed a German mine field without harm. Despite fogs and other obstacles, the barrage was laid without a single casualty or other mishap. What this means may best be understood when it is stated that this mine-laying squadron was known as the “Suicide Fleet.” The work was thought to mean certain death and this was based on the experience of the British mine-layers for, of their twelve original ships, nine are said to have been lost with all hands aboard.
Aside from his work as a Christian Scientist in the fleet, our chaplain provided entertainment and amusement for his men. On July 4, 1918, under the supervision of Chaplain Davis, an entertainment was given in Inverness by the men of the American navy to the officers and men of the British navy. It was felt by all present to be a significant event, coming as it did on Independence Day, and its result was to create a splendid spirit of cooperation between the navies of the English-speaking peoples. It is also interesting to note, that in this entire mine-laying operation the American and British navies worked side by side.
Chaplain Davis was detached from his ship for a short time by Admiral Sims and was instrumental in helping establish Christian Science Welfare Rooms at various naval bases in the British Isles. The room maintained at Inverness, Scotland, one of the bases of the mine-layers, was much enjoyed by the American sailors and was crowded to overflowing during the influenza epidemic at a time when the Y. M. C. A. hut was closed by quarantine. Of the opening of this room the chaplain wrote as follows:
“On Sunday, September 29, we held the first service in the Rooms. We had a sweet and simple service in accordance with the Manual. At the invitation of the Welfare Workers I acted as First Reader and Mrs. S. as Second.
“This is the first Christian Science service ever held in Inverness, the largest town in northern Scotland, and of course we know that this first public declaration of the Truth is the most important thing that has ever happened in this ancient town.”
When the armistice was signed and the fleet inspected previous to its departure for home, the Christian Scientists were interested to hear that the health record of their squadron was the finest that had ever been known for any organization, naval or military. On board the U. S. S. Roanoke, also, not a single case of influenza was reported during the epidemic.
Before sailing for America, the Christian Science chaplain conducted a party of some twenty men to London. These American lads were guests at the Christian Science Welfare House at 112 Eaton Square and received a welcome which they will probably never forget. On the home trip the U. S. S. Roanoke was rammed in a fog off the coast of Newfoundland, and although laden with TNT, the mines had been moved the day previous from the very spot where the boat was struck. She was able to make her port in safety and sailed into Hampton Roads in December, 1918.
Chaplain Davis was later transferred to the U. S. S. Supply, which was the flagship of the Train Atlantic Fleet, whose duty it is to supply the Grand Fleet with all of its necessities. Christian Science services were conducted aboard the Supply and the chaplain was kept busy attending to the wants of his men. Chaplain Davis was later transferred to the U. S. S. Columbia.
That the work of the Christian Science chaplains more than justified their appointments there is no doubt. The grateful expressions from the many men to whose spiritual and material needs they ministered is ample proof of this. In addition, the friendly relationship which they have established and maintained with chaplains of other denominations and with representatives of the medical profession did much to sweep away opposition to Christian Science and break down barriers of misconception. Our chaplains proved themselves to be real Christian soldiers.