Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-08-31

to me. From this new made grave a
voice comes to us each one. II have
an errand for thee" Let us listen for
the footballs of Gods messengers, and
give heed to the errand they bring.
Are you the child OF poverty, and are
toll and fatigue and privation your por-
ton? Let the example OF the boy Sheri-
dan nerve you to stand up like man
in the midst Of your adverse surround
ings, and make your very difficulties
and ADVERTISEMENTS stepping stones
toward some worthy goal. Have you a
leads you into difficulty Throttle 1t
before it throttles you, and put it down
and hold it down. There is push in pas
sion il IL be curbed, which will help you
toward success, but it must be in the
thlls and not on the drivers seat.
Drive your temper or 1t will drive you.
That which controlled, is a help, I'M
controlled is "A hindrance, and may
prove a most disastrous one. was
talking with young man while ago
about this matter. lie holds subOrdi-
nate position on railroad, and he said
to me in tone Of disgust with himself,
II might have been a conductor years
ago If had only held my temper
Young man, hold your temper. If 1t cost
you such disappointment as it cost
Sheridan to learn this lesson and you
really learn it, you may well thank God
for the discipline.
Another lesson is found in the words
of our captain TO those students at West
Point. The point Of it is this: How
ever humble the duty assigned you, do
1t well. Put the best there is in you
into every least duty. This rule well
followed, will, by the blessing Of God,
make man OF you. Yet another les
son. and one to be needed is this. BE
kind and thoughtful in your relations
to those who are under your direction
or authority. This rule carried out,
would settle the greater part OF the
quarrels between labor and capital.
Sheridan was Commander in Chief of
the armies of the United States, but he
never forgot that he was once poor
Irish boy in Ohio, and somebody there
gave him a lift. a private soldier was
to him a man. made in Gods image,
and therefore to be treated with kind
ness and tenderness and especially to
be protected when in the line Of duty.
And so he stood ready to give every
poor fellow a kind word and helping
hand. He was not weak, good-na-
tured, easy-going leader, who let his
men run over HIM. But he mingled and
sweetened the stern discipline of the
army with good measure OF the milk OF
human kindness. No man who fought
under Sheridan ever thought of being
disrespectful TO him; but his men, while
they obeyed him. loved him because he
interested himself in their welfare. In
this one direction especially is the eX-
ample before us worthy of our atten-
ton. Once again lesson. Promotion
did not spoil the Somerset boy, but
from his first lift, to his last, he was
the same modest, unassuming man,
knowing his place and keeping it, and
never pushing toward positions until
he had right to them. His life was a
standing rebuke TO the impudence Of
our time which crowds to the front in
every assemblage, and makes itself
heard amid surroundings. The braZen
effrontery of the small politicians of our
land and time, is enough TO stir the very
bones of such man as our dead Sheri-
dan in angry protest, against the shame
less push for place, which disgraces the
arena Of American politics.
Young man, learn little modesty.
Don t be afraid Of losing your opportu-
mites in life, by little decent regard
for that old-fashioned virtue known as
humility. Wait little, my boy When
God wants you. He'll send a messenger
with the unmistakable greeting, II have
an errand to thee"
And now, comrades, there came last
errand of God to our great captain.
Gaunt, grim and CHASTITY came the mes
senger. Softly he stepped into the ST.
lent chamber. Gently he pushed the
weeping ones aside, and with his cold
hands pressed upon the heart of the pa
tient sufferer, he whispered softly Il
have a message to the o captain" and
the great heart, obedient, halted there,
while the soul passed on. So, comrades,
shall we one day hear the command
and obey.
Forward a little-touch the elbow
while you may. In little while the
errand of God will come to us each one.
Halt. Right face. Break ranks. March.
and We shall be gathered home. Shall
it lie to fall in for new duty on the other
side? God grant it.
Our country mourns hero gone.
Columbia wears the sable badge, and
her banners fly at half mast. Rever-
emily we have laid him away in that
city of the dead at Arlington. And in
the coming DAYS. brave men and true,
from all our land, will llnger by that
grave, and tell of winchester. Then
kneeling there in fearful silence, their
hearts shall bless the memory of Phillip
Henry Sheridan.