"MINISTRY OF THE TRENCHES."

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 215, 6 October 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

"MINISTRY OF THE TRENCHES."

CHURCH AND WAR. EXPERIENCES OF A NEW ZEALAND CHAPLAIN.

The Rev. W. Shiror (convenor of the Chaplains Committee of tlx? Presbyteran Assembly) has received a; very interesting letter from the Rev. W. McLean. one of the nine chaplains sent to the fron» by the New Zealand Preslyterian Church. Mr. McLean gives a graphic description of life in the fighting lines, with especial reference to the work of the chaplains "the ministrv of the trenches." • THE CHAPLAIN AMONG THEM " "I have," says the writen, "been into every trench occupied by my men from time to time, and have poked int-> practically every dug-out. It is slow and tiring work, but work that pays. Many of the men are asleep in th eir dug-outs, no matter at what hour >ou go, excepting at "stand-to," but the others let them know that "padre" has been along. They like to see the chaplain among them; strangely enough, it gives them a reeling of security. The ministry of the trenches is largely one of encouragement and cheer, and occasionally you get the opportunity of speaking "words of life." Later 011, when you address them at church parade, or voluntary service, the fact that you have shared something of the life of the trenches counts. You establish points of contact, and receive confidences that would have ieen impossible otherwise. Sometimes you have very touching experiences, as, for example, when a soldier hands you a little bundle containing four letters to be sent to his wife and three children, one of whom he has never seen, should he "go West." The boys ore wonderfully cheerful, and dearly love a joke. The first Sunday they were in the trenches I could not be with them, the Adjutant having sent me to some other work. When I went up to the front line on Monday morning one soldiers said, 'You weren't up yesterday, padre.' 'No. I couldn't be vith you yesterday.' 'We had a combined serv'ce.' I was thunderstruck. 'Combined service? Services in the trenches are both forbidden and impossible.' He scrutinised my face, smiled, and th'en said, 'Yes, we had a combined service with the Germans!' A combined service all right—artillery. The music was antiphonal, and the text vas not "Love one another."

SHEER IMPERTINENCE."

'" The unconc-ern of these men, washing, sharing, hair cutting, etc., in the trenches has been the means of giving me confidence in very trying circumstances. In hospital, suffering, fiom wounds, they are still chearful. I have no right to l>e here, sir," said •in Australian who had miraculously o.caped death, a shell having burst very near him. I thought him a sensitive soul, and was going to assure !.im of his right to all a Xe>w Zealand Ambulance could give when he suddenly added, with a bright smile. "It's sheer impertinence that I'm alive." A New Zealand lad who had be?n badly wounded by a bomb dropped from a 7'aube, said, with tears in his eyes, but siriles shining through his tears, "All 1 want, s : r, is to get one back on those Germans." The words worked up from a smil? tiirough tears to almost a laugh. It does you good to speak with Ino wounded. FALLEN HEROES. But oh! the sadness of laying away our fallen heroes, far from home and •oved ones! Those rows of little c-ross- • s each representing a cross in some mourning one's heart and all repress nting a cross in the Heart of God! Tlio-"> who have been called upon to sr crifira loved ones may rest assured t : iafc everything will be done to care 'cr their last resting places. I was deeply tout bed the other day when contii.ct'ng a service to see some flowers ' Inch had been sent by two French ladies. There was an inscription attached : " Prom two French ladies for a New Zealand soldier who died far {rem homo and country."

THE SACRAMENT

As God gives us opportunity antj, grate we endeavour to do the work to? which we as chaplains are here. Every Sunday there are parades and voluntary services for troops who are not in the trenches, and God has blessed us m these. At the close of almost every m vice the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is dispensed. We have not de- \ eloped into Saeramentarians, but chaplains of all deonminations discovered what a powerful means <f grace this Sacrament can be. and our Christian men show great eagerness to receive it. I have never attended such Communion services as I have attendc J here —some in the open fields, one m a peasant's humble cottage, with ('•unfixes all around the room, others ; n national schools and colleges from which the name of God had been banished. another in the cellar of a woolle'i mil'. most thrilling of all, in a dug-out in ilie trenches. Eight of us gathered there. The artillery on lx>th sides had I ten shelling, but ceased as we were about to commence. We sang two verses of "Jesus, Lover of My Soul"' the table was "fenced"; the words of institution were read: prayer was offered : the sacred elements were distiibuted. What cVd it matter if two spluttering candles did no mare than li ake the darkness of the dug-out visible. if an empty biscuit tin did service •v. a Communion table, if we had n*» silver plate! Christ was there a» Hos£ to spread His own table, and we diS . at the bread of His strength and did drink the wine of His love. We occasionally have the joy of welcoming to the Lord's Table for the first time men vho strike hand with Him and swear