The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-26

coming, father Abraham, 100000 moro These
men loved their friend, the nation
and gave themselves for it. But com.
rades it is not for us to forget
were never under blue coats Fathers, mothers
sisters, wives knew what it to give for
country. VIII you pardon personal allusion
because 1t illustrates thousands of otherst [
was farmer boy of seventeen years. and with
my friend, TO whom my heart was knit as was
DaVids to Jonathan, l stood one evening and
listened to the appeal. We two struck hands
and said well go l went 10 nay home at the
old farm house, and, ON entering, soon knew
that father and mother were not asleep; perhaps
their parent hearts had OWNED the influence Of
the druln-beat and appeal on their hoy They
spoke. and | answered; II want to go into the
army There was silence. The strong man
said not word; but soon there came with clear,
firm but tender voice: Somebody's boys must
go. and | will not keep you back" Oh. the cost
of that SENTENCED Cor know that mother loved
her boy, These did not give their lives, but
what to them was dearer. Our army was not
were they bribed. The miserable pit
lance of the soldier was not the
inducement that took him to the front. This
may not be the place to saw it, bat / will speak
am tired heartily tired of the talk which we
hear about the money reward Of the soldier. 1t
comes from men who made themselves rich out
OF the war. Let 1t be forever hushed: it is
worthy our uation. These men did not 90 ont
an army of seekers for gold or gain They
pressed into the ranks because they loved, and
not for wages
Then the giving of these men was God.like.
Jesus, the Christ not only revealed God, but Id
also revealed perfected man See him and you
see Gods image restored in perfeetness and
perfected humanity. linked on to God, found its
climax of grandeur in self-giying Paul's highest
description of his Lord was: He loved me and
gave himself for me- He saw the forces of
slavery, that catch and hold men in bondage
and went against them. giving himself up for
us. His work was always along the line of
mans noblest work; so that among earth's heroes
he justly has the first place. They gave their
lives for friends. but he died for us while we
We're enemies
Ours is precious heritage. Ibelieve it is to be
continued to us. but it will be only because the
principle Of self giving shall control the people.
The hope of our country is in the gospel, and I
make no apology for bringing cur nations well
fare into the closet of prayer or the pulpit. 1t
belongs here; for he who said; Render unto
God the things which are Gods said in tho
same breath Render to Caesar the things which
are Cesar's.' In the dark days of the war, a
good, pious friend said to Abraham Lincoln; II
hope the Lord is on our side Promptly as his
manner WAS, and with truer conception of the
relation Of man to God, the President answered:
Il don't put it that way, | say hope we are
on the Lords side If we are ON the Lords
side we are safe. and that is the side of unselish-
ness, of patriotism, OF that supreme love that
will give life if need be for this friend.
Some one has hung behind me flag and is
not this emblem pPophecyt Its white proph-
eey of purified people from the sins that beset
US by the power Of the gospel Of Christ; its red
both emblem and prophecy of that consecrated
life blood which has been freely poured out
and which, in its crimson lifCetide is ready even
to-day for the nations need; its blue, symbol of
the courage and faithfulness of every son ever
whom this banner waves, and its stars, set on
the blue ms the stars in the blue vault of heaven
set in their places not to be botted out at the
caprice of any set of men or State, but to shine
on until the stsTs of heaven shall fall and the
nations of this earth shall be no more. God
help us each one to do his part to fulfill the
prophecy OF the flag we love.