THE HOSPITAL SHIP CHAPLAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 147, 22 June 1915, Page 2

THE HOSPITAL SHIP CHAPLAIN.

(To the F.ditor.) ' Sir, —T welcome Rev. Howard EJliot's < explanation of the resolution carried at * the recent meeting of the Auckland Bap- I tist fnion. hut 1 must decline at * time like ithis, when Christians .should i sink as far ;is possible their diirerenece, ' to lie drawn into unprofitable seereturian ' argument in the public I'ress. The posi- i tion of the Anglican Church from the < inception of the hospital ship scheme is < as fellows: —We have had nothing at all c to do with the appointment of chaplains ' in any way and have certainly not riused the slightest objection to the n-ppoint-inent of a non-Anglican chaplain. Why. therefore, the-se tears? And why these unprovoked ntkiek.s on Anglican dortrine and practice? Sir. may I venture to conclude with quotation* fro.m Oho Bishop of ' London's description of his recent visit to the Front? I think a perusal of ' tno.m may remind some of us 'that we are engaged in a war which innkea see tarian prejudice seem very paltry:—"lt . may seem curious that .-> Presbyterian should be the principal cmplain, when ■ about throe-quarters of file <-ha.pla.ins ' were Church of England, hut k really f answered very well. Dr. (■Vnnm-i is a man who has served all over the world. '! and is universally loved ami respected. I heard cwrywhere of his fairness and impartiality, lie and I had much spirit- . tin! talk, and prayer together. ' and 1 am sure he will nut mind ' mc mentioning that he a~keil for my ' blessing before 1 left." ' ; I Referring to the chaplains, the riishop ( of thought, but they seemed the strong mc7i of their particular school. MoreOver, in the face of life and death, difference< which loom so large at home seem small." " It is becoming apparent that about 75 per cent nt least of the Army are Church of Bnglnnd men. and I fou-n i ' mnnv of the chaplains of other deiioni- ' ina'tions. who all -work on the best of 1 terms with oiir men. doing often what J may hr described a.« ("lurch of Kngland . wnrk. in lookin- after f.ir more than j' the Raptists. or ' W : p.alevan«. n-hotn they were really f nppointed." ' Tliuv the \tigb Church Rishop of T.on- \ don! Can we not, especially at a 'time of sorrow like this, while adhering to our own principle*, respect tiinse of . others, and be tender ajiil tolerant , I - am. etc.. 11. MAJJQX.