The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-05-27
A Memorial Service.


number of the members of Post Bosworth, sec
onded by the request of some of his own parish,
Rev. Mr.. Bcknell of the India Street Univer-
salist church--himself formerly soldier-con-
sented to hold a special service yesterday, hav-
ing especial reference to the approaching Me-
mortal Day. The house was completely filled,
more persons being present than could obtain
seats. The central pews were reserved Tor the
Post, and at the proper time the members
marched to the church in undress uniform and
took the seats assigned them. On the pulpit
were vases of elegant flowers; on the wall of the
| pulpit recess on the front of the desk and the
| choir gallery, were artistic designs bearing
appropriate inscriptions of poetry and quota
| tions from memorable individuals suited to such
an event. The singing was by the choir of the
| Society, and in the selections was Kotzschmar's
Requiem of Heroes, very beautifully rendered.
The text was from Jeremiah L., part of 34th
verse. Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of
hosts is his name; He shall thoroughly plead
their cause" The speaker commenced by re-
ferring to the beautiful tribute, which, on
Thursday next would be offered to noble de-
parted worth, when comrades, friends and low
ed ones, would decorate the earth tents of fallen
soldiers. No weak desire for display would
prompt their act; but it would be inspired by
the spontaneous outburst Of some of the noblest
faculties in man. 1t iswell he believed, that
one day in the year should be consecrated to
the memory of fallen companions-and while
the resting places of the departed receive the
heaven smiling tokens of respect it will enable
all to place upon the altar of the present, their
emblems of conservation TO faithfulness-that,
dying, all may leave behind memories fragrant
and beautiful with virtue. gaf. d /.
Nations have their festal andHholy days. A
aOrlln no. 1xxyI,a H.,
the anniversary of any event in their past. The
speaker alluded to the joyous seasons of an
Gent nations, also to our own fourth of July
as seasons inspirng-times for testifying our
gratitude for the labors of others. Yet none of
these are to be compared to our own holy day
when tribute of respect is paid to the depart
ed-all uniting in the Observation-Disclosures lof-
ty and beatiful-yet tinged with sadness. No
people were ever prompted to offer testimony
to departed greatness, prompted by such unsel-s
fsh motives as have inspired these tributes in
the past and will inspire them for many years
to come.
As we stand by the graves of the fallen, we
are to forget their faults but emulate their vir-
tues. Many of us, he said, will remember them
in their strength when earnest for victory;
shall remember them as they fell on the field,
or sinking away in hospitals. We cannot dec
crate the graves of the noble soldiers who died
in rebel prisons, yet the beautiful of the purest
objections may be offered a tribute, not only on
one day, but always. I
Observing such seasons has a tendency to
make us better. Our gratitude is stirred, our
blessings appear more valuable as we remember
the cost. We are not to forget the past, but
treasure its INSTRUCTION Memorial Day seems
link between the past and present. Nothing
now indicates the great struggles, but Memoir
ial Day brings it fresh to mind. We live over
again the long list of actions on the Peninsular,
Maryland campaigns the sea and the West all
these, down to the final struggle and victory.
The forms of noble privates and brave officers
rise up before us, until we see the noble Lin
coin, who, just as the light of victory broke in
upon his vision, died the martyrs death. Re-
membering all these things makes US stronger
more determined to support those principles
which 1T has cost so much to secure. Every
year now witnesses our advancement, and 80 it
must be, God is giving us wonderful privileges
and inspiring us by reeollecti0ns of the past to
accept and improve them
The speaker would impress upon the minds
OF all, the appropriateness of rendering Memoir
ial Day the season of reconsecration of minds
and souls to faithfulness in all relations of life
Responsibilities rest upon us all SPurity of indi-
vidual life, fosters purity in national life We
stand ordained by the instructions of the past
to check every antagonism to right, and labor
for holiness +-1I -
/. We are not to forget our promises The dy-
ing soldier may have been cheered as he thought
of the promise made, that the loved ones de-
pendent upon HIM should be cared for. Do not
forget. We may decorate graves, we should.
1t is well. But let us not forget to decorate
living hearts, whose stay and support may be in
those graves, with comforts Tangible testi
monials scattered in the homes of living WORTH
are brighter in the sight of Heaven, than the
fairest garlands which were ever formed from
Natures beautiful. "a % 'tni
If we seek to learn the lessons of the past
and improve the present, it is no sensational
act which we perform when we strew the graves
of departed comrades with flowers Nothing is
sensational which is elevatng Perform
ed in the right spirit, few things can be more
elevating in their influence than the impressive
and beautiful service of Memorial Day
The religious lesson was briefly alluded to-
The religion of the heart often overpowers the
religion of the intellect. One is God-made;
the other man-made. Creed may throw
doubts over the fate of many. whose
when God speaks in the soul-strive as we may
we cannot help feeling that those noble men are
marching on and on, upward under the guild
ance of their glorious Redeemer to better condi-
tions. In Gods love, in Christ's power, the
heart of man when rightly conditioned, may
ever trust. When we remember Gods love to- |
wards us, how we should seek to be pure and
good, to shun the wrong, and follow Jesus.
God loves man always; let man respond and Sc |
cure his true condition. The earth-work of the
departed is completed, and they have passed to
the labor of the future where Christ and not |
man is master We are to be faithful now, that |
we may be prepared for tomorrow and for all
future. !
We need all the lessons and instructions of |
earth. Life is a broad battlefield While the
emblems of nations libertywaves in the breez- |
es above the soldiers grave for day, the en-
blem of individual liberty over every corrupting
element which may enter within man, should |
forever wave in every heart and spirit. The |
banner of nobility is to be kept to the front
1t never must be deserted /
A practical lesson was drawn from the bril-
liant charge of Bartletts brigade, at Gaines
Hill, in '62, showing that man should ever sup
port the true standard of life at all hazards land
that victory is certain. -.4esI --...- ~
In token, Them of love for the departed graft
tude for their services and their sacrifices, and
thanksgiving for the inspirations which clus-
ter around Memorial Day, its anniversary shall
be sacredly cherished. Strew the graves of the
departed with the fairest flowers. The speaker
closed with the expressed belief that with each
renewed decoration and memorial new strength
to the living would be impaired, and which
might achieve glorious results. -E1'& TA
After the sermon choir of young girls rang
ed themselves in front of the desk and sang
Collins beautiful hymn, 4
How sleep the brave who sink to rest.
Then followed the closing hymn and benedic-
ton.