Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-28
Memorial Services at Granite Church Last

Memorial Services. Many people went away un-
able to find seats. Seth Williams Post attended
as body, in their neat and appropriate uniform
The order Of services was as follows
Voluntary by he organst, Miss Folsom.
Anthem, @ he Lord IL my Shepheid Choir
Scripture Reading, l9th Psalm, ty Eev. Mr..
Gurus.
Hymn,
The dwellings Of the free resound
With songs Of victory etc.
Payer Rev Mr. Ecob.
Response, The Lords Prayer" by the Cnoir.
Scripture Readings, Eph Oh chap, By Rev Mr..
Anthem "Peace to the Memory of the Dead
Chon.
The Memorial Seru was then given by Rev.
c. \. Curtis, Post Chaplain, and Pastor Of Christ
/ tUnitarian) church. lis subj ct was "Life's War
fare" text Timothy, 6 10, Fight the good fight
of faith"
This counsel to Timothy bears strong impress
| Of PAuls personality. ii is was an aggressive ma
ture he bad strong opinions and resoute will
that compelled him to attack everything which he
| considered at enmity to the truth. SO before his
| conversion We find h im opposing the followers of
Jesus with 'toIcc and arms - "persecuting them
| even unto death" And after HIS mind received
| the higher illumination, though he LAID aside the
sword, he was soldier OF Christ" lie wageda
glorious warfare in UNFOLDING his ia th and at the
| end was able to say 81 have fought good fight
have kept the faith, and henceforth there is laid
up for me a crown of righteousness
| Our text then carrie. all the weight of his ex-
| peience, and It is of value to US all AS a guide
and an incentive. For, although may not
possess Paus Jealous aggIesslvcness. we too
| "must fight if we would reign"
| We will take the leading thoughts of the text
and consider their bearing upon the conduct vi
| life.
First called to contest We are to
| "fght the good fight of faith"
| d has he vel arpI tn a hot.
| fare for from fist to last II is a conflict with op-
posing forces.
Even the support of physical existence demands
| a constant struggle. some seem TO get along
| without much effort, but 1t is poor spirit which
| prompts man to settle back carelessiy and say
"the world owes me living"
! The true man will not be satisfied except he win
| the right to live by achieving something through
| the labor of his hands or brains.
| And in the higher life, the souls existence
there is seen even more the need OF conflict. We
| are opposed bv the lower elements in our
| nature. by the promptings of selfshnes-,
prejudice and passion; we are forced TO resist
temptations from without. We are called to be
constantly on our guard in defence of integri
". Thi. is Gods plan for streng hening and per-
iecting us. Through these conflicts we grow to
be resolute and true. Our manhood is deve Hoped
aud we become better fitted to do the will of our
Father in Heaven.
Second, we to fight a COOL fight. Alcoufict
| is not in the right dire zion. Whoever strives
against the dictates of conscience, the piomptings
| OF right and duty fights a losing battle. Though
he may repulse for the time these messengers of
| truth the end will be defeat.
| He only wins who sides with God. We should !
| bear in mind the victory that is to be won. The
upbuildlng OF truth and right aud justice, the ri
| umph of the Kingdom OF peace aud righteous |
ness. We are called to oppose whatever |
| conflicts with the spread of that king |
| dom, and to defend all the agencies |
which work toward its fulflment In our own
hearts this conflict must begin, and if followers OF
Ch ist We need never be III doubt what to contend
| against. Every true soldier Of the Cross knows
where the enemies Of his soul oppose HIM the most
tercey and led by the spirit of truth he come
off more than conqueror. Not alone for ourselves
| should energies be exerted. The cause of
humanity calls us to labor for its adv ancement
| and TO wage war in its defence.
Whatever We do for humanity, we do for God for |
| we co-N oIkers with hun Many msled by |
| the thought of working for bumanity. They |
| think II to imply the devotion of ones life to some
work of philanthropy or piety. Not so, all work
| if done well is for the benefit of the race.
| The earth i. TO be bcautlhed aud made fruitful, |
| the forces OF nature to are be utilized and made |
To minister to oar wants and whoever is labonug
piness OF man.
| Men should rise above the thought Of mere
"work and wages" and feel that there Is highe
| meaning in their labor.
Men may help others morally, even in fulfilling |
| the ordinary cuties of life. An honest, upright |
| life carries influence for good wherever 1t goes
| 1t teaches and encourages. 1t is missionary oil
the trath. II is living epistle, known and read
of all men,.
| All may in word as well as deed "preach the
| gospel TO every creature.
Christian 81 e apt to hide their light under bush
| ell. Even the humblest disciple finds frequent op-
poltuuuy for defending and UNFOLDING his princi |
| pies, by re5uklng those tho do wilfu wrong, and
| tiucting those who ignorautlv err. BE guided
| by the example of Christ York for the coming
| OF the kingdom Of heaven as he worked for ii.
~ & hot ap t.
tue form of wickedness negligent indifference,
| or doubtng tmdty. Whoever lapors thus lights
| a good fight and need never fear defeat. As
another thought we must work in JGM. 1t is
| not enough u follow Christ because II is ones
duty or through fear OF mourning God S dlspleas.
| ure by an opposite course. That is not the true
| soldiellv spirit. We must carry into the warfare |
| the belief that victory will crown our efforts |
Successful work in the cause OF God and OF hu- |
mainly must be inspired and urged on by faith |
in the ultimate triumph of right over wrong, of jus
tce over oppression, of freedom over all that en-
slaves us whether III body, mind or soul. Our
| whole boing must be engaged in the contest. To |
combat successfully with the powers which oppose
the truth we need TO bring up all our forces. The
enemy is vgant and powerful, ami must be met
with resoluIe determination BY every defender OF
| the right.
! We are to exert ourselves unreservedly what
| ever may be the result as we personally con-
cerned. "3e thou faithful unto death and will
| give thee crown of life Unto death does not
|
| dicate Coos cause though we suffer death in the
| effort.
The soldier in any cause surrenders himself I'M
reservedy in his service. He goes forth knowing
that he risks life in defense Of his cause, and
| this pint of self sacrifice should characterize
| every true soldier of the Cross.
| Consider the glorious encouragement given to
| nerve US to endurance in the contest. The prom
ises OF God inspire He who lives truly leaves
an honoIed name upon the earth. The memory
Of the just is blessed. The righteous shall be in
everlasting remembrance" And then there are
the rewards which in the world to come shall
crown the life of the faithful. The glorious heri
itsge OF peace and JOY, and the approving smile OF
| the Good Father.
We are encouraged to by the example of those
who have been champions of the right; those
who have flushed their earthly warfare and have
| now have joined the hosts ABOVE. All along The
record of The ages sucu men stand forth, their
| lives bi ghtening the story of their own time, aud
then oiks adding 10 the glory OF our life to day.
| Men who have sacrificed ali for Truth. Martyrs
who have sult-red death rather than be taise 10
| principle. Heroes who IN defending upon the
| ii, Id ol stir, the cause OF Justice and freedom
4 1 Al