CHAPLAINS IN CAMP was a propaganda camp, this officer's attitude may help to It has been mentioned that eventually there were seven explain the relatively good treatment in our camp. haplains who were prisoners of war in Zentsuji. On July RETREATS, CONFIRMATIONS, BAPTISMS 9, 1942 one Church of England and one Roman Catholic
chaplain arrived with the Australian officers from Rabaul From time to time, there were confirmation classes and or near-by stations. As soon as materials were available, retreats. In the former, instruction was given to those who the Catholics were able to hold mass. They also had their were planning to become church members following their own prayer periods, classes, and retreats. On July 30, 1943, liberation. The retreats afforded those wishing it the optwo Church of England chaplains arrived, and on Septem- portunity to maintain maximum quiet, spiritual examinaher 2, 1944, a Church of England and a Catholic English tion, and meditation for a period of two or three days. haplain came in. These comprised the total of seven. The Without a doubt the most valuable weekly religious acrelatively large number of chaplains tended to make the tivity was the daily morning prayer period between morning religious work more interesting and easier for the chap- muster and breakfast. The Americans heartily entered into ains, as well as to give a wider variety of religious services this service which is customary with the Anglicans. For a to the P.O.W.'s in Zentsuji. However, it was unfortunate period of almost three years, these services were held each that the Japanese did not permit the distribution of the day by both the Protestants and the Catholics almost withchaplains to other camps where they were more urgently out a break. The five or ten minutes were spent in meditaneed'ed. Regular meetings of the chaplains were held for tion, prayer, and scripture reading. A prayer list was kept, business, and mental and spiritual uplift. There was also and special events and anniversaries were remembered. Svestry committee composed of two representatives from There were six Protestant baptisms in the camp. Many each nationality (English, Australian, Dutch, and Ameri- who had been baptized had a new spiritual awakening. an). Ten funerals were performed in the camp. All except There were religious activities other than the regular one of these were Protestant. The ceremonies were held Sunday morning services. Both the Protestants and Catho- in the camp, the bodies cremated outside, and the remains lics had a choir. Eventually, a piano accordion was avail- buried in a Japanese cemetery in a special section set ble for accompaniment. The combined choirs put on a spe- aside for the prisoners of war in our camp. Rock slabs, al concert on Easter and Christmas. Most of the music wooden crosses, and flowers were provided by the Japaas written in the camp, although in 1944 the Red Cross nese. This was decidedly different from the procedure ent some music for choruses. It was no easy job to secure when the Japanese captured Guam. At this time no Chrise time, the place, and permission for rehearsals. tian burial was permitted.
So much for the religious activities in Zentsuji. NatuSTUDY GROUPS rally, much was accomplished by the personal counseling A number of discussion groups were held on various of the chaplains and others. The trying conditions gave pertinent topics, from the Christian ethic according to ample opportunity for this. It is also interesting that the iebuhr to the place of the church in the postwar world. chaplains were often called upon to answer questions One special committee composed of representatives from raised by the prolific reading of religious books, of which each of the four nationalities completed a series of sessions there was a good collection in the library. on the subject, "What is Wrong With the Church and I have not been able to ascertain many definite facts What Should Be Done About It?" I have a copy of these concerning the religious life in other P.O.W. camps. The Wings. Since Zentsuji was an officers' camp, these discus- American officers who had been in the Philippines said that sions were interesting and fairly comprehensive. There the chaplains there did a great work. I have heard of inwere approximately 700 officers and 100 enlisted men in stances in which inspired Christian laymen carried on the camp during most of the time. where there were no chaplains. On the way home from There were Bible classes and series of lectures on church Japan I met one man who had been a loyal worker in history and comparative religions. On one occasion a Japa- Zentsuji and was transferred to another camp. He said nese officer attended my Bible class with his own Bible. that he had carried on there, giving regular religious talks He did not continue coming because he thought that it and performing funerals. This case could no doubt be would be bad for discipline. This man, Lt. Hosatani, also multiplied. In Singapore there were numerous religious ent me Perritz's Old Testament History. He was an ex- classes and activities. However, in some camps no reliEnglish teacher and a professing Christian but seemed gious services were permitted. But whenever it was possistrongly loyal to the Japanese government and army. ble, Christian P.O.W.'s carried on as best they knew how long with the fact that for the first year or so Zentsuji inthe spirit of their Master.
Addresses! This office is hard put to it to keep up with your changes of address. Will you do two things? First: Send us a card with each change you make. Second: Notify your last Postmaster of your change and arrange for the forwarding of THE ARMY
AND NAVY CHAPLAIN.
4'il-May, 1946 7