Page:Distinguished Churchmen.djvu/399

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THE REV. JOHN COX EDGHILL, D.D.
349

would not have given to any one society outside. We have recognised officers. The Colonel of the regiment is really the head of his branch of the Army Temperance Association. Hence we get the sympathy of the officers. The war has somewhat upset the working of the Association; but I have not the least doubt that the soldiers are far more temperate to-day than they were years ago, and that is the case with the younger soldiers especially.”

Thoughts naturally veered round to the war in South Africa and the work of the chaplains out there. Dr Edghill gave the assurance that testimony borne to the value of the chaplains' services by the Commander-in-Chief, officers and men had been most enthusiastic. Upon this branch of the service reward for exceptional service usually takes the form of promotion; but there have been instances during the war of chaplains receiving the D.S.O. and the D.C.O. A good many of the chaplains were mentioned in Lord Roberts' despatches. One chaplain thus distinguished was made one of the King's Honorary Chaplains. In the whole history of the work of chaplains only one has received the Victoria Cross, and he was an Indian chaplain. Only one chaplain has died out at the present war, and he succumbed, not to wounds, but to enteric. A great number have been invalided home. It is interesting to note that, according to War Office Regulations, chaplains ought not to expose themselves to danger in battle. Their proper position is