Page:Distinguished Churchmen.djvu/393

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THE REV. JOHN COX EDGHILL, D.D.
343

and simple. In the singing, every encouragement is given to the regimental bands. The aim is to make the services distinctly congregational, hence all elaborate music in which the men cannot join is discouraged. Parade services consist of any single service for public worship in the Book of Common Prayer or of the Holy Communion, preceded by the Litany or Morning Prayer, and a sermon invariably forms part of such service, which is of an hour's duration or thereabouts. Every chaplain in charge of a church or chapel school holds a service on Sunday evenings for the special benefit of officers and soldiers, their families and friends, and of any other person who may be willing to attend. Then there is usually a short service, with an address at least once in the week, and daily prayer at some convenient hour in all consecrated churches. Even in unconsecrated buildings chaplains endeavour to introduce informal meetings daily for prayer, reading the Word, and simple addresses or hymn singing. A special effort in this direction is made during the season of Lent. Holy Communion is celebrated on most Sundays and Holy Days, either at an early hour or after parade service. Another duty incumbent on the chaplain, of course, is the visitation of the sick in hospital. This he does at least twice a week, and on Sunday he holds a service for convalescents. The visitation is much more frequent in the cases of soldiers dangerously