Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-08-06
Lessons from the Life OF Grant.

the SUBJECT OF his evening discourse.
His text was Job viii: 7, Though thy
beginning was small, yet thy latter end
should greatly increase. The speak
er's remarks were to the following
effect: You are aware that the book of
Job is an effort, under the guidance of
inspiration, TO justify the course of God
in the lives of men; to show the guild
ing and controlling hand of Providence
IN the career of every man. / shall
speak tonight on the life of him whom
the nation mourns. 1t may be asked,
What right has the life of warrior in
the Christian pulpit? | will admit at
the outset the incompatibility of war
with religion. They are in every way
totally opposed to each other, and can
never be reconciled until darkness and
| light shall be one-until instead of sue
ceeding each other alternately, one
giving place to the other, day and night
shall flow on together in uninterrupted
union. War lacks and is opposed to
the essential element of Christianity
love. Either one side or the other must
be supporting and lighting for wrong.
Napoleon, who knew, if any man, what
warfare meant, said that war was the
trade of barbarians. But Grant was
not warrior from choice He was
always opposed to war He never de-
sired an education at West Point. He
| always denounced the Mexican war as
infamous, and regretted that he had not
had the moral courage to resign rather
than participate in it; and he only en-
tered into our great national conflict
when he became convinced that every
resource of argument had been ex-
hausted. Gen. Grant was innocent of
the crime of war, as he fought only to
defend his country. You will not ex-
pect me at this time to enter into the
details of the career OF this great man,
how he rose from lieutenant TO captain.
then colonel brigadier general, major
general, lieutenant general and then
full general, the highest military title
ever given to any man by this govern
ment at that time. That has been as
signed to next Saturday, and will no
doubt be performed BY able hands.
shall only point out some of the lessons
to be learned from that career.
The first is that we should be salts
fled with small beginnings and slow
progress The maxim, make haste
slowly is good one. The oak spring
ing from a tiny acorn grows SO slowly
one can scarcely perceive its increase
from year to year, but when the storms
come that sweep to the earth the rapid
ly growing corn and grain, the oak
stands unmoved. The speaker then
illustrated the advantages of slow and
steady progress from small beginnings
by the life of Grant. Secondly: We
must take advantage of present oppor-
tunities in order to be prepared for the
opportunities that await us. Grant
took advantage of every opportunity to
gain the information and experience
which fitted him to fill so ably the po-
sitions to which he subsequently rose.
During the time that he lived on farm
near st. Louis, and afterwards as a
leather dealer in Galena, he was storing
his mind with every kind of useful
knowledge. While residing at Galena
he made visit to Lancaster and spent
night here. On this occasion a num-
Der of the prominent men of this place
met and talked with him, and found
him full of every kind of information,
and with sound and settled opinions on
every subject that arose.
Another lesson to be learned is that
all our acts must have truth and hon
esty for basis. Grant was always
true to his convictions of right. Both
/ in word and deed he held firmly to the
truth. When strongly urged by his
| advisers to favor the Initiation bill in
his presidential message, as matter Of
policy, he prepared message favoring
that bill, though against his convictions.
But he could not bring himself to make
it public, and before the time came for
sending it out he prepared another
message in accordance with his ideas of
right.
We must have patience and energy.
Grants energy never tagged and his
patience never tired. When once re-
solved upon a course of action he fol-
lowed it out despite of all discourage
ments. He would Eight it out on that
line, if it took all summer"
The speaker dwelt upon the home in
fluences that had surrounded Grant
influences SO necessary to the develop
ment of the best part of our natures.
Grant never was known TO use pro-
fame word, and disapproyed of profan-
ity among his subordinates. lie had a
reverent nature, and always showed a
respect for and an interest in religion.
During the war he encouraged the work
OF religious men among the soldiers.
If Grant had at any time in his life al
lowed himself to indulge in the intoxi-
eating cup, it was no doubt due to his
earl, home influences that he saw its
folly and overcame it.
The speaker closed with an exhorta-
ton TO his hearers to use the qualities
which had made Grant great, in pursu-
/ ing Christian life.s
In Probate Court.
At special term of the county court,
held on the first Tuesday of August,
1885, the following proceedings were
had:
License granted to administrator OF
estate of Edward Williams, deceased, to
sell the real estate of said deceased.
Petition of administrative of estate of
Moses Galloway, deceased, for final set
Element. Continued to August IL, 'S5.
Petition for final settlement in estate
of John Anderson, deceased. Continued
TO Sept. Sth.
Final account of administrator of %