Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-07-06
CHAMPION CELEBRATION
SUNDar SCHOOLs CELFRRArE.

Ihe Chiidren's Grand Rally, Mass Nee
Ing ana Iicnic In the Stand-ripe Grow
-Pairioiism and Religion In Harmon!
"A Hint for tho Future.
1t was happy thought which inspire,
rome OF our most prominent and ellicen
Sunday school workers to arrange tor th,
Fourth OF July celebration by the Sunia,
schools of the city aud country, which oc
CURED n, the beautiful and well.adnpted grow,
near the water works stand-pipe, East Main
street. The result was something 80 unique
novel and happy, that now on all side.
is expressed wish that some
time there may be another such
demonstration, which, with more ex.
pcrience and time for preparation may be
made even more significant and largely at.
tended. The procession feature was only n
iarta success, bu, wa, very good and pretty
30 far as 1t went, the Cadet Band heading the
column which moved from the First Presby-
terian church. At the grounds a large plat
form had been erected furnished with seats
and an organ, for the officers, speakers and
musicians. The band played several pieces
and played them well. Rev. J. B. Walker,
pastor OF the Pleasant street NJ. p.
church acted as chairman and called the
meeting to order, about coo people young
and old having gathered upon the
rising ground in front OF the
platform. First came singing
"God Bles, Our Native Land" led by Mr..
=. A. SCHNEIDER, Miss Geneva Remsberg Or
ganist, accompanied by an orchestra con-
slsting OF q. =. SCHNEIDER. @. Billow, II. O..
and Earl llawku. Prayer was offered by
Rev. VIM. II, Warren, pastor OF the Congre.
graiionnl Church, and then america" was
sung. Extracts from the Constitution of the
United States were read by Rev. A. L. Wiki
inson, pastor Of the First Baptist Church and
"Hsil Columbia" was then sung.
Judge John O. Miller WAS then introduced,
and spoke upon "Thc psf OF Our Country"
Judge Miller said the past had one advantage
over the future, in that it was fixed and GER
tain. 1t has furnished some OF the
choicest history of all ages but constitutes too
wide field Tor comprehensive consideration
on such an occnsion. There are some under
lying forces that brought about the result we
call "our country that may be proitably
considered bcrc. One is freedom in religion.
An important influence in shaping the desti-
MES OF our country has gone out from New
England. While the Puri,ans came TO this
country that they might worship according
10 the dictates of their own consciences with
out persecution or opposition, they 10 turn
prosecuted those who differed from then in
some points and it was not until the times of
Ann Hutchinson and Roger Williams il NAV
be said, that the idea OF freedom in re-
ligion became fixed in fact AS
well as in name. Today if i,
is impossible to force men to practice forms
OF religion in which they may not believe,
no man can be prosecuted for his religious
belief. Another of the active agencies in
building up our Institutions is the practice of
local self-government. In come ualrters,
however, the local was placed in advance of
the general government. We ought to give
thanks today, through the great war the
order was reversed and that now America is
greater than Virginia, sentiment which was
loudly applauded. While freedom in religion
may run riot sometime, as the idea OF local
self-government developed into accession, at
last reaction must set in and wel-rcgua,ed
liberty prevail in this as other things.
After music by the band John l.. thinner
man, Esq, addressed the congregation in,
"The Present OF Our Country" He de-
scribcd this as an age Of steam at high press
ure; of seli-binders in place of the sickle;
forty miles an hour travel by rail and cleo
tricty. This is the stirring, restless, business
period of the country's history; its practical
age. What the founders of the Nation most
feared was sectional strife, and that with our
vast territory the difference in interests, stu.
ations and opinions would cause cashing
But the belts of railways extending across
the country have prevented this. The people
OF one section need the products and thrive
upon the trade OF the others and all
unite in the sentiment "Union Forever"
Our estimate 10 Incomplete IL we do not rec
ognize the religion and morality which
characterize US as people. Many things
show how this spirit pcrmeates the Nation
and prophecies made years ago by good men
are sustained. The culture and intellectual
development OF the country received due at.
tention, together with the influence of the
public schools. Events prove the falsty OF
the claim made in foreign countries that this
Union could not live. While it has lived
through civil war that tried lts stability
and has doubled its population many times,
France has Leen forced to accept many
features in our form of government and
England to relax her policy in the same par
tcular. Christianity is at the base OF this
government. Let US determine that the her
itage OF progress be handed down that the
land may ever be the home of liberty and
abode OF justice.
To Rev. DR.. Kcmper, OF South Charleston,
had been assigned the duty of speaking upon
the Future OF Our Country" but as he was
detained at home by illness Rev. Dr. Fall
coner, pastor First Presbyterian church, this
city, was pressed into the service at the last
moment and made a noble response.
Speaking negatively he said OF
our future, rs country, we should have no
more acres, no more mountains or rivers or
sunshinei no better opportunity to praise
God or to serve Him and to do right. On
the other hand he thought that probably in