The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-05-30
Rev. Feitt's Memorial Sermon.

On last Sabbath morning, Rev. B. f.
Feitt preached the usual memorial sermon
for the G. A. II. and the people at the
Presbyterian Church in this place. There
was goodly gathering of the veterans
and citizens; some from the surrounding
country. We note few of the points in
this excellent and mastery sermon:
The text was from st. John, "Greater
love hath no man than this, that man
lay down his life for his friends"
History is not lacking in instances of
this supreme proof of love-this supreme
self-sacrifice for the good of others.
Enumerate if possible those of our COM
rades who fell IN battle fighting for liberty;
summon them from their bloody graves !;
what host! Marshal them into compa-
nies, in battalions, in regiments, in divis-
ions, in armies; behold what masses !;
what endless columns, what a dense array
Yet to all, life was precious. They gave
their lives for the common good, TO ran
som men from bondage, from degradation.
Have they not initiated, so far as their ma
ture would allow, the example Christ
made of himself on Calvary. One senti-
ment animated every soul and that senti-
ment was the highest type of patriotism
willingness to die, that their country
and government might not perish from
the earth. AS the fruits of their efforts
we have liberty for which centuries have
sighed, conscience is free and education to
be had without money or price, / am
speaking to an American audience and in
state where patriotism is hereditary,
whose high honor it is 20 have shed some
of the first blood to perpetuate the gov
ernment of our country. The speaker
then eloquently referred to the Spring of
1861 and the blood that the 9th Massachu-
sets and the Philadelphia brigade, under
Gen. Small, poured out on the streets of
Baltimore, and the gallant stand they
made.
What is money without a government,
knowledge without a country? What are
lands, home, wife and children, without
lihertyl These considerations impelled
the noble band of patriots 10 hasten to the
defense of their native land. In an hour
the Nation awoke from its trance of in
difference and saw, as one sees at midnight,
mountain illuminated by lightning, the
relation OF Government to liberty, wealth,
and whatever is most precious to the race.
To be permanent government must be
honored. The true basis of authority is
not physical force. 1t must be strong and
honored enough to command the respect
of its subjects. 1t must 10 able 10 defend
itself from all insults and hostile intrusion.
This principle also applies to the Divine
Government. Deeper than reason; deeper
than education, in the human heart is the
principle and acknowledgment of justice.
Hence all attempts to emasculate a peo-
Ple's idea Of God have failed. Thus con-
stituted and thus alone does any govern
ment, civil or divine have tho elements of
endurance. But if government lack
this ability to command the respect of its
subjects-this ability 10 vindicate its
honor wheu insulted, who can predict sta
bility to it? What is more pitiable under
heaven than weak, nerveless, cowardly
government, halting in its performance,
supplicatory in its posture? We had Just
such weak, nerveless, cowardly govern
ment in our day in this country. The
three last months of President Buchan-
ans administration were as weak and
shameful as patriots ever blushed for. Is
there any wonder thar all Europe, in
view of what they saw going on at Wash
ington in the winter of 1861, proclaimed
that the great Republic was breaking 10
pieoesS Europe had seen these symptoms
Of dissolution before, and knew what they
meant, They were right; the great Re
public was breaking up; half the stones