THE CHURCHES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CIII, Issue 15742, 28 August 1915, Page 3

THE CHURCHES.

CHAPLAIX-IX-CHIEF TO THE JJiUTIStL AKMY. A DISTINGriSIIED CAREER. Jt is not genera Ly known that. liriga-vi.er-C-ioiii.riu ."i'Miins elite! enap■ain to tiie lim'sti forces uirior su* ■joiiii French in I''ranee unci i'landery. ail U and a. nunoi tlio i. isli Piosi\> .cimhi flnmli. Ju Air o.miiis was ordained ■'s minister of theiVcsby t enan congregation cf Birr —a I.'os.tton wh.ch ho ik-dud 188*' wiien 110 was appointed chaplain lo the forces. Dr. Simms has had much foreign rv.ee espec-al.y iu Egypt. He had the distinction ox being to conduct the Memorial Service at Omdurmau to tiho late General Gordon—Lord Kitchener being then at the ho ad of affairs in Egypt. He spent several years in Pretor.a during and after the Boor War. and his promotion was very rapid 011 ac* cunt of his d sthisruishod war services. On his return to Eng* and- from South Africa ho became sen:or Chap'.am at Aldorsliot whore ho r-ma ined until tho outbreak of the present war. When war was declared ChaplainCo'onel Simms was appointed principal chaplain to the British Army in the fi''"'d. all other Chaplains in the field bring under his command. "J "lifts was rile first time in the history of the Army that sucn an appointment was made*. Dr. Simms 's now in command of over 300 Chaplains belonging to all the churches. AVhen the war had been in progress for a few weeks Dr. Simms was raised to the rank of lirigader-General. This rank was never before conferred on a Chaplain. Dr. Simms has frequently been ,• mentioned for distinguished service in Sir John French's d.spatch°s and the K ; ng hsss specially honoured him. In 1914 the King on his birthday made him one of his honorary CbapWiis and on his birthday in 1915 made him "Military rwnnanion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George." T his Order has never before been conferred by tne King on any Chaplain 'n the Army of any church. Few men h.ave gained the esteem and affection of so wide and so diversified circle and in sncli a marked degree, but aK' who become acquainted with Dr. S:mms are profoundlv impressed bv his surpassing ability, his sterling character, liis unassuming pietv and iiis general human traits. Dr. Simms is a man of marvellous tact and has succeeded gin ainiug the confidence l of the Chaplains nnder him -who bolong to ail the different churches. Tne Bishop of London, who. visited the trendies, hears remarkable testimony to the rare qualities of Dr. Simuis in a recent issue of ''The- Church Family Newspaper'' when Ire writes:—'lt may seem curious that a Presbyterian should lie the principal Cliap.ain when about three-quarters of the chaplains are Chimin 'of England. hut it really answers very wei.l. Dr. Simms is a. man who has* served all over the world, and is universally loved and respected.'i The Presbyterian Church *>f Ireland is natura'ly proud of the position to v.-liic-h Dn, Simms has attained a"d of the honours he has -won. He occupies :< h'gh pla."f in the long *>? d-'stingu/s'ned Ulstermen who have shed lustre on the lirit'sh A rmy.