The Portland daily press., 1889-05-27
SUNDAY IN SOME PORTLAND CHURCHES
Men who Wore the Blue Listen TO
Rev. Or. Whitaker.
Observation OF the Eleventh Annlyer-
sary Of the Gospel Mission.
Rev. Mr.. HaiIock Closes His Relation
With WiIllston Church.

Yesterday Rev. N. T. Whitaker, d. d.,
preached memorial sermon to the members.
Of Bosworth and Thatcher Posts, G. A. r.,
Sons Of Veterans, and both the Ladies' Re-
lief Corps, at Chestnut street church. Bos-
worth Post had $50 men in line, Thatcher
Post As, Sbepley Camp 38 men, Bosworth
Relief Corps about 10 and Thatcher Relief
Corps 80 ladies. With the posts were Past
Deputy Commander r. K. Gately, Dept. A
A. Gen. E. G. Milliken. Dept. Inspector L.
w. Hanson, and G. w. Hadlock, who last
year was a member Of the Department Coun-
ell Of Administration. The attendance was
very large, chairs being placed In the aisles to
accommodate those standing after all the
pews were occupied After the opening SER
vices which consisted Of prayer, Scripture
reading, singing by double choir and solo
by Mrs. Fellows, DR.. Whitaker delivered her
sermon taking for his text jeremiah XXI, 10.
Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan
him; but weep sore for him that gOeth away; for
he shall return no more, nor see his native eoun-
try"
The sermon was an interesting and forci-
BILE one, the attention Of the vast audience
being closely held by the speaker from be-
ginning to the close. No sacrifice Is too
great for religious right and liberty. 1t is
fitting that day should be set aside to re-
count the gallant deeds Of the fallen and to
crown their graves with the lily and the rose.
Today. surrounded by peace, we honor the
brave patriots who saved our nation from
the and hof treason, and made possible the
American idea Of government, of the people,
by the people and for the people. Seventy
two thousand men from Maine left the peace
Of home for the battlefield; 5000 went from
this city Of Portland alone. Maine soldiers
were found in every battle. The bravery Of
the Maine regiment at Hanover Court House
when it repulsed five regiments of rebels,
the marvellous valor Of the gallant Sd and 4th
Maine; the Maine regiment at Fair Cakes,
at Gettysburg, particularly the regiment that
returned from Gettysburg with but two Off
GERS and only 10 men were spoken of in elo-
quent words. Do you wonder that Maine is
proud that she never lost battle tag. DR..
Whitaker referred In fitting terms to the
bravery and valor of Major Melcher, whom
he called the fighting hero; to Mr.. Luther
Bradford Of Deering, a member Of the Post,
who although his arm was shot off, would
not give up the stars and stripes until the
proper officer arrived to take them; to Ser
geant Heating, the color bearer of the 18th
Maine, who so bravely supported the flag
and to the gallant Lieut.. Rice, who called on
his comrades, all who could lift their heads,
to follow him from the hospital Seventy
five per cent. Of the members Of Bosworth
Posi- were wounded and Thatcher Post suf-
fered quite as severely. Can man desire a
a better epitaph than, He died in defence of
his country?
At the close of the war 1t was officially de-
clared that every Maine regiment did their
duty In every engagement. Memorial day
will witness no unmeaning ceremony. True
to the men who have fallen, true to the vet
Grams OF "a years ago, true TO ourselves and
TO our God let us remember the lesson that
has been taught.
DIR. Whitaker took his audience from the
settlement Of the colonies In Virginia and
Massachusetts to the great peace and pros
perity that came after the close Of the
civil war. He described the early struggle
of the country for independence; for recog-
milton by other countries and by the States
the terrible loss Of life and property during
the late war and the final and glorious result
Of that great struggle for liberty.
The exercises closed after the singing Of
America by the congregation, with the 5ene-
diction.