The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-26
An Eloquent Address Before G. II. Thomas
Post, G. A. R., by Chaplain Black
burn, Of Lafayette.
An Abstract of the Timely Services of
the Various City Ministers.
Sermons of Revs John Alabaster, ]. II,
DOddrige, David Walk, A. Marine.
A. IL. Carrier and 0. c. MeCullOeh.
AN ELOQUENT DISCOURSE.
Chaplain Blackburn, OF Lafayette, Before
George Fl. Thomas Post, G. A. II.

before the George H. Thomas Post No. II, G. A.
R., at the First Baptist Church. drew very
large audience every seat being occupied, both
in the main floor and the galleries The post
attended in a body. occupying central seats.
The pulpit was beautifully decorated by the
ladies of the social circle the principal feature
being a large star of exquisite cut flowers, sus-
pended by small silk iag-an exact fac stnilo
of the insignia of the G.. A. r., enlarged. Suit
able music was rendered by the church choir, led
by w G. Smoek, the audience heartily joining
in singing America" and 'Blest be the tie that
binds
The sermon was delivered by Rev. Alex. Black
burn, chaplain of the post at Lafayette, and
pastor of the First Church there. young
man who served in the army three years in an
Illinois regiment and was severely wounded at
Chickamauga. His address was delivered in the
most imprisoned manner and was listened to
with much pleasure, the veterans frequently ap-
plauding. The sermon was delivered entirely
without manuscript. AT the close a collection
was taken for the soldiers monument
Mr.. Blackburn took for his text John. XIV. ID
Greater love hath no man than this, that man
lay down his life fer his friend, and in the
course of his sermon he said:
Comrades of George II. Thomas Post, | am
here by your invitation this morning. The very
name you bear is an inspiration, George H
Thomas. whether you see him in the early
spring of 1851, the only field officer Of the Second
Cavalry who was true TO the tiag-Slaney a.
Johnson, Robert u. Lee and General Hardee ali
great men, went TO the side of rebellion but he
was tTue--or see him when his native State, old
Virginia, WAS hanging in the balance and he was
asked IT Virginia seeedes what will you dof'
The answer came frem his great loyal heart
I'm help to whip her back again" See him as
he is looked upon with suspicion by fellow Off
GERS and even the President; accepting snbOrdi-
nate places, but never wagering he
is sent into Kentucky aud at Mill
Springs wins the FIST decisive victory of the war;
then refuses to take higher places commands
a corps of the Army of the Cumberland reseues
tue army from defeat at Stone river; goes on
through Tennessee to the awful days at Chicka
manga, where he stands like rock, railving
about him brave and true men Then, during
the weeks of suffering, he is the cheerful. On
couraging friend until his troops scale hlssloD
Ridge and hnFl the rebels back. Then comes
the long march to Atlanta. The separation of
Sherman's army. Thomas left to gather the
scattered forces to defeat Hoods great army.
He concentrates at Nashville and intrenched,
not only behind his men and works, but behind
his own good Judgment he refused to move until
ready, when he strikes the final blow that is the
beginning of the end of the war Again, see him
when peace has been conquered and grateful
citizens offer him money but he answers, mo.
not for me, but for the widows and orphans of
my men" Grand, noble Thomas. the
George Washington of the rebellion. II we,
like the old Greeks and Romans,
deified our heroes, who among them
all would stand so high as him whose name you
bears But we are not hero Yorshipers: it is ours
60 seek the principles which made them great.
Behind and moving up to all our actions are
three great foFces-life law and lOve-anG before
us hope stretches out herhsRd TO beekop onward.
For life, men are struggling with the forces that
are against US. In the field, against bfRinbies
and briars; in the shops, from daylight tall dark;
IN the offices and places OF trade, eFerYNh here:
men are pressing on that they may live. Said
one of old, "All that a man hath will he give for
his life" but he who has no higher motive has
Gagged his soul; the better man is imprisoned aud
and he is a slave to self To live for the sake
Of living is dwarfng to the very manhood OF man.
Higher than this struggle for life is the law
principle which shapes our ways-the thusfar-
shalt thopg go and no farther. the thou-shalts aud
thoushait~nots of human and divine law
which hedge US about These mold
and shape men as you mold brick
but yet too low for peblest manhood. Love is
Higher force than life or aw. We have all
heard at a solemn hopr-"Now ahideth faith,
hope, charity, but the greatest Of these is char
principle everywhere Not life or law tint the
flowers with beauty to charm US. or fills them
with fragrance to enehant US. Not life or law
shapes the landscape to lovely form or sets the
stars in the armament to declare the glory OF
God, not as to power or wisdom but as to love.
Gods richest gifts are proofs Of His loge-so in
human affairs. Our mothers, when we were
babes for such the strongest Of us once were.
did more than life or law commanded; love
makes the hard hand soft, the keen eye gentle
and the hard heart tender when dealing with the
weak; love overhows in deeds of charity TO lift
up humanity. Humanity's best expression is
love, and the great teacher, Jesus Christ, says
loves best expression is to give up life for
friend
Millions of men have died in this our land;
they have been called out Of home
and shop and field, and friends
have she'd tears Of unfeigned sorrow. Nobly
many of them have lived. bat among the millions
one million graves viii be selected out this com
ing week. Some lie in clusters as they were
borne from camp, or the hospital, others in the
family burial place, some in the beautiful Gem
etery, others in the country grave yard; but ev-
erywhere all over our land these million graves
wifi receive gaIlands of howers-the fragrant
and beautiful expressions of Gods love viii be
used to show our love- How like an inspiration
the conception of using flowers on memorial day.
But why flowers ON these and not on those? Why
single out this million green mo1ndsg Not be-
cause these men wene great, or rich, or blsh-
born, but because they showed the highest hui
man love. They gave their lives for their
friends.
But was this noble use of their livesl Our
answer comes: The cause was worthy the sac
rfce. How great the cost no man can tell
unless he weigh tho widows grief and the
orphans tears: unless le can tell what son, and
husband. and father is worth in the
house; unless he can calculate che
loss of million men TO com
inerce, to the workshop to the field; unless he
can tell the value Of a million Loyal hearts in
politics. The cost is beyond our reckoning, but
the results prove ii not too great. Good gov
eminent is one of our best blessings, and all
good governments have their Foundation stones
laid in blood and their walls eemepted in
the life current. God has set his seal tolt in the
nineteen years that have passed since tie orders
mustered us out of service that this nation was
worth the price paid for its saving.
Again the nableness of this giving of life APP
pears when we consider its manner. These men
were not driven.into their sacrifice; it was vol
untiIy service. When President Lincoln first
Where will we find SO many! But they came.
Then came calls for zoe, 600; they were ready
Then 200. 600, and 100000 more, and from every
corner of the land went up the shout, I'VE are