Morning journal and courier., 1881-05-30
Memorial Day sermon.

Rev. DIR. stfaer Discourses to the veter-
ans OF the Grand Army OF the Republic
The Church Decorati0ns-An Interest
ing Sermon.
In accordance with special orders the COM
rades of Admiral Foote and Henry G. Mer-
win Posts, Grand Army of the Republic, at
tended divine service at the Wooster Square
Baptist church last evening. The two posts
united numbered about two hundred, and as
they marched down Chapel street ON their
way to the church attracted much attention
by their soldierly bearing. On arriving at
the church they occupied seats in the body
of the audience room that had been reserved
for them. The church had been tastefully
decorated. Nearly at the front apex of the
organ was placed half circle of small flags
emanating from the points of a star. There
were seven of these flags, and on each was q
letter which spelled the word welcome"
Below the flags and in the center of the
piece was sc. A. r. in F./C. and L." which
interpreted read Welcome Grand Army of
the Republic in Friendship, Charity and
Loyalty" the latter being the motto of the
order. The flags of the two Posts were
draped on either side of the organ lower
down. Then bouquets of flowers were ar
ranged in front and on either side of the
preachers desk, the whole effect being very
pleasing indeed.
The exercises opened with voluntary on
the organ followed by the quartette choir,
composed of Miss Nellie Carr. soprano, DR..
and Mrs. Walker, tenor and alto, and John
Jacobus, bass, singing the familiar hymn
'tMy Country IT'S of Thee to the tune
america Then followed the scripture
lesson by the pastor, reading the xiii chap
ter of Romans. A prayer by DIR. Sitter fol-
lowed, and then the quartette sang as vol
untary in most excellent style Rock of
Ages" Professor Fowler presiding at the
organ. Following, the discourse, which was
a very able one, was delivered by Rev. DIR.
Sitter, who based his remarks on the words
found in st. Luke, oath chapter, LIST verse,
'.Now upon the first day of the week, very
early in the morning, they came unto the
sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had
prepared, and certain others with them" In
his opening remarks the preacher said:
The Bible is opposed to wars, but not to
soldiers If burglars enter our house it is
our duty to expel them. So if 100000 per-
sons attempt to break into our houses we
must expel them. The war for the Union
was right. The war of the Revolution was
right. Everybody'B relatives was friend to
Washington, and SO it will be hundred
years hence that everyboby's relatives were
friends of the Union in its time of trouble,
none being willing to acknowledge that their
descendants were opposed to the Union.
When the soldiers were mustered in he
swore to obey his superior officers. Bravery
and obedience are essential in soldier. The
brave boys whose deeds we celebrate to-
morrow were worthy of Ekmore honor
than king. What does Decoration day
mean? This day is the homage we pay to a
great manhood, an honor to obedient BRAY
cry. The dumb instinct of our hearts stamps
bravery in our soldiers ashes. Deck their
graves then with beautiful flowers There
are two kinds of courage, moral courage and
physical courage. When William Pitt stood
up in the British Parliament and defended
the rights of the colonies it was moral cour-
age. So when Luther defied the Pope it was
moral courage The man who dares to ut
ter right sentiments in this world, if they are
new, has moral courage. The worlds great
need is for men of this sort. Men who will
say let the right prevail though the heavens
fall. Such men were the soldiers of the late
war. Moral courage is very exalted bra
very. Why are not men drawer in what they
know to be right? 1t is easy to be right
when all men around us are right. Jesus
was scourged, then he was led bleeding to the
cross, and without a murmur. Was he not
brave admire his moral and physical
courage. Obedience is another kind of
courage. What would become of an army if
each officer and private should 80 his own
way? Jesus was subservient to the will of
God, and if He did this did He not have
every element of true soldier No sword
was ever in his hand. He won victory for
the world by his words. The same principle
that brought the women to his sepulchre in
the morning to scatter spices on
the Saviour's body vii lgovern the decoration
of the soldiers graves to-day. The war
in this world is not over and will not be I'M
til the Son returns to the earth You were
| true to your country in the rebellion? are
you true to the Saviour of mankind. We can
only scatter water on the soldiers graves,
but Jesus will come again and bid his dead
soldiers arise and come forth to Immortality
want to send my flowers tomorrow to some
soldiers grave, but desire to honor Jesus
the captain of our salvation. I want Him to
lead me. We live in world of great danger
and we need hiding place, and that hiding
place is Jesus, who was the bravest of all.
The interesting exercises were closed with
singing 'All hail the power of Jesus name"
to the tune of Coronation, and the benedic-
ton by the pastor.