There has been quite a hubbub about the appointment of
'Chaplains to the ships of the Arctic Expedition, and the Pall Mall seems to be as angry at the appointment, on the ground that the ships have been deprived of assistant-paymasters to make room for them, as the Guardian is at the mere assumption that it might have been lawful to leave them out. Now, it seems to us that a great deal more depends on the men than on their office. We have had Arctic navigators before now who have been a great -deal more profoundly devout, and far more likely to make their men so, than any chaplains, even though the latter alone be ecclesi- astically qualified to administer the Sacraments.' And we must say we believe far more in the sacrament of a devout personal influence than in any rite whatever, however sacred. But supposing the chap- lains chosen to be men of exceptionally high moral and spiritual power,—as volunteers for this voyage would be very likely to bet—it seems to us the narrowest and silliest carping to object to their substitution for assistant-paymasters. They would probably do more to stimulate the sense of duty and the spirit of trust on board the ships than a dozen assistant-paymasters. But then, what applies to ships of Arctic discovery, applies equally to all services where men's faith and wills are sorely tried.
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