The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-05-30
MEMORIAL DAY At THE CENTRAL.
Christian,

The Central Christian church was hand
somely decorated last Sunday with flowers
and the national coiors. Flags were ev-
erywhere, large and small; one large ban
ner being draped across the rear of the
platform falling in shining, graceful folds
10 the floor. The church was crowded
both morning and evening.
Pastor Sims took for his topic in the
morning, The Soldier-Eoreign Federal
and Christian" He began by stating that
the armies OF the late civil war were COM
posed OF the most intelligent soldiers the
world ever saw. Many who were in the
ranks were capable of commanding regi-
ments and brgades. This Intelligence in
the ranks was what caused the con-
flict to be 50 prolonged and bloody.
Military tactics OF a few years before were
dispensed with; there was less martial law
in those armies than in those OF olden
times because the spirit of principle
actuated each individual from the COM
mauder to the lowest private.
HerXes, when he marched his great
hordes of ccuscripted slaves called an
army, into Greece was confronted and
routed by vastly inferior number of men,
because they fought for principle and
home and were guided by an intelligence
beyond that of the Persian army. The
Grecians, aud especially the Spartans
We're taught to be victors or TO be
borne home on their shields, corpses. Such
soldiers es these and such as composed the
American armies of the sixties were brave
from a consciousness OF duty.
The speaker compared the soldier Of
carnal war to the soldier who was enlisted
under the banner of King Emmanuel He
said that many Christians would give an
arm, or even their life, Ior the cause in
which they had enlisted, and vet they
could not expect any of the earthly re-
nowu or honor that was given 10 a soldier.
Yet, no soldier was Drawer than the early
Christians; God had no room f1g a coward.
Gods soldiers were not less Intelligent
than those of other armies No country
but this eyer saw armies fighting for the
freedom OF millions OF bondmen. He said
he firmly believed God overTuled the con-
fict and caused those slaves 20 be freed rs
He does all other conflicts between right
and wrong. God Is now ruling over the
conflict for the souls Of men. Arrayed on
one side We're the prayers OF earnest
Christians: and Oh the other the gambling
dens. saloons and dancing halls. Satan
Was rallying his forces only to De finally
defeated
The soldiers of Jesus are to be found at
home. IN politics. il our legislatures and
even ii the White House. If this We're
Aot so, the speaker thought this country
in worse condition than anyone had rep
resented il TO be. II takes hero 20 be a
soldier FOR Christ. 10 face tEe taUuts and
jeers OF some who 10 not bdIieve in Chris
tianity. Who could doubt the bravery OF
those persons il the dark ages, who were
thrown in prison, racked and tortured for
the purpose of making them
reIiRqu;sh their faith. The soldier is
buoyej up by the enthusiasm Of those
who command or surround him, but the
christian martyr had nothing 10 eathuse
him when tortured on the rack or torn to
pieces by wild beasts
The speaker eulogized the bravery o.
the soldiery OF the late war. and closed By
saying the Christian soldier was the
bravest and grandest OF any who ever
enlisted.