The morning call., 1891-05-25
OUR NOBLE DEAD.
Eloquent Tributes From Chris.
tian Pulpits.
Memorial Day CcmmemOrated by Anticipa.
tion-Dr. Leech Speaks on the Subject
at Howard M. E. Church.

service of H0Ward-street Methodist Episc0-
pal Church yesterday. Taking his text from
Samuel i:25, How are the mighty fallen
in the midst of the BATTLE" DR.. Leech spoke
as follows: I'VE are approaching that
sacred secular day when our citizens from
the Atlantic to the Pacific honor the mem
DRY Of our dead soldiers On Saturday next
many thousands of our Conservatives and
gardens will be invaded and rifed that
patriotic fingers may lay floral tributes on
the mounds beneath which slumber the gal
liant heroes who died that the nation might
survive with the banner of constitutional
liberty floating over it and no slave treading
its soil.
FLOWERS tinted as though the Creator
had dipped his brush in rainbow hues,
flowers beautiful in grace and purity, will
be laid on the graves of the countless
thousands of fallen veterans who once
marched to the battle-felds of the slave
holders rebellion.
TRIBUTE To THE DEAD.
"Not forgotten are the brave men who
have already btvOuaced beyond the river of
death. With them LIES weary march is
ended. The bugle of the rider of the pale
horse has summoned them TO the front AS
the virgins OF Greece enwreathed with the
floral crowns the urns Of their departed
the modest graves and sculptured columns
where the bodies of our soldiers rest
decoration day teaches us that the final
results of battle are greatly influenced by the
righteousness of the cause represented. All
wars have not been based on equity. His
tory blaZes with instances in which war
ri Ors, in defiance of pure motives and moral
upriGhtnesS. have waged war on helpless
territories and feeble people. Sadly elo-
quent are the glens of Scotland, the forests
Of Poland, the vine-elad bills of Switzer-
land, the rocky shores of Greece, the torrid
plains of Southern India aud the reserva-
tions Of the American Indian tribes as they
echo with memories of inVasons that
courted Gods thunderbOlts.
"But if ever nation entered Justly on
defensive war this republic did thirty years
ago. During more than 80 years a helpless
race had been enslaved that others might
become enriched by their exhaustive toll.
For fifty years the sentiment had been deep
ening in the public conscience that the in-
voluntary bondage of these dusky millions
was morally wrong and at the same time
perilOus to the interests OF the country.
DIVISION OF SENTIMENT.
This profound conviction had divided into
two great sections the American people in
all out an external form of national unity.
The discussion of ethical, political and COM
| mercial questions crystalzing around their
enthralment had shaken q long succession of
CONGRESSES anu LEGISLATURES CUuNenllODS
and ecclesiastical conferences for decades.
Finally the voters of the free States ex-
pressed their convictions In electing TO the
Presidency that second saviour of American
freedom, Abraham Lincoln, and at the crit
zeal hour he was found equal 10 the emer-
gency.
If ever war was righteous it was the pa
tient struggle that began when the black
lips of MOultrie's guns grew liyid and ended
when the brave and gifted Lee handed his
sword 10 the brave and perseveriDg Grant
ALL IS NOW PEACE.
Decoration day emphasizes the truth that
conflict is usually the path to permanent
peace. From the green graves Of our SOL
diers we look out on a tranquil country.
We hear no longer what the poet Campbell
calls the stormy music OF the drum" The
New Orleans massacre of band Of Italian
despPTadOes and the escape Of the insurgent
Itata from one of our ports alone break the
quletude OF our relations with foreign gov
ernments.
Decoration day also impressively re-
minds us that human life Is continual
moral conflict. There are stan1pOlnts from
which all Of us are soldiers. We are en-
girdled by moral enemies. With these we
cannot dwell at peace. Canute, the Danish
monarch, and Edmund. the ITOnside, We're
bitter foes, but they became friends. Not
so, however, can we transform into friends
and allies the enemies Of our immortal in
terests.
We know no such word rs surrender.
ConqueTOrs in the final battle of life well
come awaits us, in comparison with which
the grandest ovations of life part with their
glory ViCtoTs over the last enemy, Death,
our impeTishabe decoration shall not be the
snowy floral wreath, or the badge ablaze
with gems; but our reward Will be crowns
of deathless Immortality.
EVENING SERVICE.
In the evening DR.. Leech delivered dis
course on the life and character of General
Grant The church was crowded and the
congregation listened with the closest atten-
ton to the speakers eloquent tribute TO the
memory OF the dead hero.
After reviewing his life carefully from the
time of his appointment 10 West Point until
the surrender of Lee, and commenting
briefly upon the early days Of his last ill
ness, the speaker concluded as follows:
History presents no instance where any
great military commander wrote with his
dying hand such confidential letter as he
handed to DR.. Douglass on the twenty-sec-
ond day OF July, 1885. 1t seems 10 me il
could only have been peuned by a soul at
perfect rest in Christ. II closes with these
words: III it is within Gods providence
that l should 90 now, l am ready 10 obey
the call without a murmur'
when l looked upon this great man, fac
ing death camIy, upon the brow of Mount
McGregor, | often thought of the patriotic
leader of the Hebrews. looking out into
eternity from the summit Of Nebo and
awaiting the CAL of Cod