The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-23
wAsHISGToN's BIRTHDAY.
Observed by the PatriOtfcS Sons in Attend
ing Divine Worship.

Observed by the PatrioticS Sons in Attend
ing Divine Worship.
It is the custom of the member to OBJ
serve this event by appropriate exercises.
Ont of respect to the Sabbath and the an
niversary falling on Sunday the mem
bers of the Helena camp dispensed with the
customary programme and attended the
morning services at the Methodist church
on Warren street. Rev. d. b. Price, who
il the chaplain Of the local camp, delivered
the sermon. In addition to the regular
congregation about sevsnty-fve members
Of the order were present in full regalia,
and much interest was manifested in the
services. The subject Of the sermon was.
The Model Citizen and Patriot. John l: Al.
"Behold an I~sraeIite indeed, in whom
there 10 no auiIsr' said the pastor. An
Israelite is a prince Of God or a faithful
one. He prevails with God and man in the
making restitution, by separation from the
world and by entire conservation and i'm
fortunate PRAYER. Nathaniel, to whom the
Language of the text refers, appears to have
been a pioas Jew, who waited for the
Messiah, who. when Jesus had said to him,
under the fig tree" was convinced of His
omniseience and exclaimed, "Master, thon
art the Son of God. and the King of Israeli
The little that is said or known of Ma
thanael may raise the query, how can he
serve as q lucid and forcible example of
citizenship? But you must remember that
comparatively speaking only a few men
attain TO renowa and have their deeds re-
corded in splendid rhetoric on history's
page. 'sMultum in parvo' may be very
properly applied to the text. Let us see
what useful lessons We may draw from the
- %hfu a ap1 AhA okriE,-,
affirmation our Lord makes respecting his
character.
He was loyal to God. Loyalty to God
lies at the foundation of true character. A
man who does not believe in the existence
of an eternal and almighty God, is danger
and to human life. He has no Just sense of
moral obligation and could not sincerely
take an obligation at the shrine of
church. state or order. l would not trust
such a character anywhere. From everyone
who seeks admission into this order is de-
manded an affirmative answer to the fol-
lowing question. do you believe in the
existence of a supreme being rs the creator
and preseryer of the universe!" Most SEC
ret societies, all as far AZ | 20 il fact, do
not attempt to usurp the place of the Cos
pei in the salvation of men, nor do they ar
ray themselves against christianity. but on
the contrary stand ready for the defense OF
christianity and her institutions. Some
times we are asked why secret societies are
not more stringent In their requirements.
Greater strineency would be unnecessary.
The ono condition previously fe-
quired of those who seek admis-
sion into these societies-a belief
in God, is as far as they can go. Nathan
ael's loyalty to God is discovered in his
knowledge of the Scriptures. He Was a
student of the Bible and was familiar with
the prophecies concerning the comingof The
Messiah. He knew the tokens by which ht
was to he d,stIng 1ished. There is no kDowI
edge 80 indispensable to-day as u knowledge
of the Bible. The Bible is the biggest anc
the best book IN the world. Ii is on
Heavenly Fathers history of us and Hi
revelation of our destiny. Thank God, fol-
the sacred Book, 1t is the only answer tt
the queries of the soul. He was meditativt
reading the Bible and praying. A maj
who reads the Bible, believes ant
prays will make a good citizen, nei2hbol
and patriot. Heditatiye and devotiona
traits of character always result in some
thing grand. Young people, doubtless, yoI
often think life Is moDOtonouS and tame
but cultivate these traits of character ant
your life will be full of interest and sancti
fed romance. While Nathaniel was undo
the fig tree q new and greater revelation
was made to him and a clearer and sublime
object of devotion was presented to him
AkuoioASc nhh pENJulISb ii L Dc iSSsciSa
anything. They form tie most Formidable
foe to truth and progress. Let a man begin
to study or to pray and life will have a ne,
meaning to him and he will have visions o
God. life and destiny which Will lift him L
the very height of expectancy. Ssthanae
was rewarded with a view of Jesus Christ
the only mediator between God and man
He is the truth. the life. tbs way. ..Iher
is none other name under heaven give
among men. whereby We must be saved.
81 am the door of the sheep. All that eve
came before me are thieves and robbers,
but, "If by me any man enter in, he shai
be saved, and shall 90 in and out. and fin
pasture" As individuals let Us not be M
mindful that Jesus Christ who was tn
brightness of the father'sg glory and the e.
press image of his person, said: "Ye beiiey
in God, believe also in me. If God wei
your Father ye would believe In me for
conn forth from him. He who hath the &c
hath life, and he b hath not the son hat
not life" A personal knowlede of Chri
and a consciousness of his indHelling spir
ID indispensable to an entrance into heavel
As individuals have faith in Chri
and do not fail to enlist und
his banner and unite with his wish
army of the church that all ii
forms of your soul may be developed. S
to it that you get into the imperishab
kingdom, tina order of saints, who ha'
washed their robes and made them viii
In the blood of The lamb. for which q
Of these orders and societies q