Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-04-16

ROBERT DOUGLAS ROLLER.
To Messrs. Thomas krdtz, VIM.
Wien, j. Gassmaa, Committee.
eff any provide not for his own,
and especially for those Of his own
house, he hath denied the faith, and
is worse than an infidel. VI. TIM
OTHY, V, 8.
THE SERMON.
| speak to-day for a cause which,
in this particular form, has, perhaps,
never before been advocated from
the pulpit. Not, however, because
il is incompatible with scriptural
teachings, but because the time since
the organization of Berkeley Coun-
Gil of the American Legion of Honor
has been too short to allow such a
notice or such an advocacy.
The very fact that was able con-
scientiously TO consent to deliver on
Sunday a sermon in honor of this,
the first anniversary of the Council,
is evidence enough of my opinion as
to the Christian character of this or
ganization. | cannot, brothers, and
gentlemen, as a Christian minister,
enter my pulpit on the Lords day
and speak of anything about which
there is any doubt as to its accord
ance with scriptural truth. There
fore you know how | am persuaded
about this subject, and that you can
expect nothing from me to day. save
that which looks out from Chris
tian point of view. In fact, | would
be unfaithful in representing the
true character of this organization,
were | to treat it in any other way.
Ny own conscience tells me that the
Order is Christian like. The con-
stitution, bylaws and practical
workings of the Order proclaim it
Christian-like, and when | come to
examine the Book of GOD, which
contains the basis Of all human codes,
whether of honor, of justice, of mercy
or of truth, find there more than a
faint glimmering of the very essence
of our Order.
What is the fundamental principle
of the American Legion OF Honor !?
| ask you brothers of the Order !?
Perhaps the answer, i'll the exact
words which | give may not spring
to your minds at once, yet when /
quote from the Word of GOD and
say: "If ana proride not for has oUr,
especially for those Of has o.cn house,
he hath denied thefdth, and is acorse
than an infdel," every enc OF you
will reply, THAT is it," That
statement covers the ground. "
Now, then, if such be the funda-
mental principle of this organization,
| will not depart in the least from
my duty ON this occasion when /
proceed at once to the explanation
and development of the text chosen
for our consideration, and then offer
few reflections upon the general
subject.
The question of family care is one
that is stamped upon all conditions
of life. Nature, humanity and re-
ligion all give evidence of this. The
promptings of the brute creation
teach a lesson on this point. There
is scarcely any animal of any known
species that does not protect and
provide for its offspring, and there
are not few instances in which the
animal instincts have put forth into
exercise the most jealous care in this
particular.
When we leave the brute creation
and search around among the intelli-
gent creatu. es of Gods handiwork,
we SEE the same thing. And if for
sooth a man should be found who
has forgotten or neglected this obi
CATION, you win see a quickened, aye!
throbbing pulse in that community.
Humanity will Justly cry out for
vengeance against such a one.
And, as we ascend still higher in
the scale, and take man, not simply
in his humanity, but linked, in his
destiny, with the great BEING to
whom he owes reverence and love,
service and obedience, we find that
this obligation Of care and provision
for his family, takes "a still deeper
hold upon him. In fact a Christian
man cannot neglect it. Others NAV,