American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-06-22

BUTLER BUTLER COUNTY. Pa WEDNESDAY, JUNE 90 1864

emy. I can conceive, my friends, of no
noble. sacrifice than this; of no more
honorable death than this; to die nobly
in defense of country.
The poet has sang, I" Dulce est pro pa
tria mort" " 1t is sweet to die for ones
country" and the long array of patriotic,
noble-hearted young men, who, during
the progress of this unholy Southern re
bellion, have offered their lives willing sac
rifices upon the altar of their country
who have gone out to defend and uphold
the honor Of the old flag, and sustain the
Government, testify to us in the strong
est manner possible, that the love of
country still exists among us-that this is
principle living still and glowing in
American hearts. Testify to us, that we
yet have government one worthy Of liy-
ing under-a government worth fighting
fora government worth dying fora
government that is able, and will yet vim
dictate itself successfully against the reb-
el horde who have raised their impious
hands to pull down the fair fabric of our
civil liberty and good government. Against
the traitors who have attempted to murder
the mother who has fostered and protect
ed them from the beginning. Another
victim has fallen in the bloody strife
another name has been added to the al
ready swelled list of martyrs in the holy
cause of liberty and freedom.
| know not, my friends, what were this
young mans religious experiences, or if
he had any. I trust that while he was
soldier of his country, that he died like
wise a soldier of the cross, with an inter
est in Jesus Christ, and a good hope thro'
grace. But this much / would say to his
somowing parents and friends for their
comfort, that while this is indeed sad be-
reavemcnt, deep, and in some respects,
an irreparable loss, yet, it is an honor
conferred upon you, in having contributed
a son and brother to your country-an
honor more noble and lasting, than a mon
ument of brass or marble. Your country
demanded the sacrifice, and nobly was it
given. Let this be your comfort; his life
was given in the best and holiest of causes
that of Liberty, Union, Government
Peace to his ashes, and peace to the ashes
of all the noble heroes, who have sacrifi-
ced their lives in the cause of our glori-
Gus Union, and whose names are enshrin-
ed in grateful hearts and memories.
"They1ave slept their last sleep,
They have fought their last battle;
No sound can awake them
To glory again"
Let us all, my friends, whethcras chris
tians or as patriots, be led to considerwhat
our duty is, and knowing our duty, let us,
in the fear of God, endeavor to discharge
the same faithfully.
BY the voice that speaks to us from the
coffin and the grave of our departed hero,
BE ye also ready, for in such an hour
as We think not the son of man cometh."
BY the uncertainty of life and the cer-
tainty of death-by all the solemn admcn-
itions of Gods Providence, addressed to
us, in this manner from day to day and
from time to time-by the Saviour's cross
and passion-by all that he endured and
sufered-O, be constrained to consecrate
your time, your energies, your all, to the
service of your God. Endeavor " so to
number your days that your hearts may
be applied unto Wisdom"
BY all the death-bed scenes you may
witness, all the open graves, the collins,
the hcarses, the funerals-all the eviden-
ces and instances of mortality that may
be brought to your notice, 0, my hearer
take note Of time. It's hurrying on with
rapid wing-bearing you and me nearer
and nearer each day, to the Judgment
seat of Christ So live that you may be
prepared for meeting the grim messenger,
death, whenever he comes, or under
whatever circumstances, prepared for go
ing away and being with Jesus, which is
far better than to live here-fitted not on
ly for death, but for judgment, for Etern-
ity, for giving in your final account with
joy and not with grief-receiving from
your Saviour and Lord, the welcome plau-
dit, Well done good and faithful serv-
ant, and then entering upon the enjoy
mcnt of the heavenly inheritance Christ
has laid up inreservc for his faithful. So
live that when lifes ftful fever is over, you
may sleep we'll You may, like the true
christian, sink calmly and peacefully to
rest, Eternal Rest, in the bosom of your
God.