The Newtown bee., 1890-06-27
NUMBER 26.

us with the determination to hold fast that which is good and for the best well fare of the whole commonwealth, not withstanding the croaking and ridicule of those who would tear down, but have nothing wherewith nor power to buildup a better.
 Without stopping to enumerate other evils that seem to threaten our free insti- tutions, I may remark that this service should tend to make us better citizens. by leading us to more fully appreciate the blessings preserved to us through the sacrifice of those whose graves we dec crate. It should stir in us a renewed patriotism to love our country more full ly and more intensely, than in the past, to appreciate the beauty of our form of government, where each and every one may have his share in the affairs of the governing. It should give us. therefore,
 more exalted views of our rights as American citizens and cause us to hold the franchise in high esteem, as the spec ial gift of God and not as something
 which may be bartered to the highest
 bidder. It should cause us to feel that
 we are men, yes, men, not chattels to be
 bought and sold on election days. For. if these rights cost so much in blood and treasure, we ought to prize them above all price.
 Again, the services of this day. should fill us with the determination to be faith ful in most earnest efforts, to know and
 meet the needs of our day and thus to fulfill our responsibility as citizens of this great republic, in devising and exc cutting laws for the good of all.
 Lastly, these services should remind
 us of our obligations to God. who has
 spared our lives and crowned us with so many blessings and privileges. Those of us who were permitted to take an active
 part in that great struggle of right against wrong and who were brought safely through the many dangers of act i've service in the camp should rejoice in the protecting hand of our God who shielded us in the hour of danger, for none of you can tell why your comrade next you should fall a victim to the rebel
 bullet and you escape, only that the hand
 of the Lord shielded you in that perilous
 hour. You should also let your hearts fill with gratitude to God that. after
 sparing you in the day of battle. His
 mercy has been continued these 25years,
 and you are to-day enjoying fair meas
 ure of health and strength. For all these
 things, you should be devoutly thankful,
 as you look on the graves of your com
 rades who stood side by side with you in
 that most fearful struggle for the right. We who were too young or in other ways and for various reasons were prevented
 from becoming active soldiers should in these services find very great reasons to
 thank God, that so many were found who
 could go and were willing to offer their
 lives for the safety and welfare of our , homes and the perpetuity of our free in stitutions. We should also thank God 2 for the spared lives and mercies that we are permitted to enjoy. We should one and all discover in this service the fact of r our own mortality. We do not know } that we may be spared to see another oc- casion of this kind. Many who joined in , the memorial services of our land, last 5 kyear, have gone to appear before God. This, possibly, may be our last and, therefore, the standing to strew flowers !, over the graves of those who have gone
 before us should promote in each heart
 the prayer, "Lord, create in me clean heart," prepare me to live with thee in | Il, fA, those that love thee.
 s This is the thought that is presented in the fact that they buried Joseph's bones, D when they were come into the rest of their promised inheritance in Canaan, , which stands as type of the eternal rest - of all the people of God in the Heavenly s Canaan. Therefore, if the services of e this day are properly improved, they : will tend to make us better men and wo- n men, by giving us fuller views of life, it's . duties, it's possibilities and responsibili- a ties, thus making us better citizens of a this great republic, impressing more
 strongly upon our minds and hearts the
 true value of civil and religious liberty.
 And best of all, it will help to prepare us
 for the hour of death which must come
 to us all sooner or later, for, as we stand ; face to face with the fact of our mortal
 ity, we must feel the importance of be . ing prepared to meet God.
 Let me pray you, dear friends, to lay . to heart these and many other important . lessons which this decoration service may bring to us. I pray God to bless and n guide each one SC that we may all at lasl be found to be good and faithful soldier: s of Jesus Christ. fighting against ever, # form of evil in our own hearts and in thu e land and may you. each and all, b q crowned in eternal glory with tn q wreaths of victory, to the glory of Go, ,- the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Amen # HUNTINGTON.