Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-12-21

The eth annual service of the Penn
ayIvania Society, Sons of the Revolu-
ton, to observe the anniversary of the
commencement of the encampment of
tho american Army at Valley Forge in
1J17, was held Sunday afternoon at
ChristlC Church, Philadelphia.
tIh1 members of the society, wearing
their Insignia, met at the rooms of the
Penn CLUB and proceeded to the church
In a body.
The church was handsomely deco
rathd with national flags and red, white
and blue bunting. The pulpit ives
draped in the American flag. The City
Troop, in full military costume, and
about 80 in number, occupied the pews
on the right of the centre aisle, and ON
the loft were members of the Society
Sons of the Revolution. The other
orEnnizations represented were the
Societies of the Cincinnati. Colonial
Danes and Colonial Wars. The music
was by choir Of 80 voices from st.
Markls Church.
The sermon was preached by the Rt.
Rev. Leighton Coleman, 5. 7. D., LII.
ID. Bishop of Delaware, from the text,
For This God is our God forever and
evef'-Psalms XVIII, ID. He said in
part:
We hear much nova. days about her
edity and environment. These, it is
elaimed, have largely TO do with the for
Diaiipn and exhibition of character.
+ snnltnOt lay such stress upon them as to
encvurage anything like the fatalistic
heresy for that were to dishonor the man
fiiiness of man, and more, the omnipo-
TENT grace of God.
+ In cultivating and recommending
rAtfiotism we do not want to deal with il
exoept ia its sublimest degrees. These,
pten hardly say, are To be found only as
they are allied to and preserved IN Christi.
anj{y.
y The very cornerstone of this character
4 lSlln is unsellishness, and where can we
ilnd its model and the greatest aids to its
deSelopment, except in Him who came
NOT to be ministered unto, but to minister,
md who, for love OF Fatberland and for
love OF brothers who hated Him, was
Gruciiied.
I.hesitate the less to associate American
pttfiotism with Christianity, because,
firstly, in the beginning this land was col.
oIiized for Christ, and. secondly. because il
was, believe, largely owing to the Chris
ii4h character of those upon whom the
REVOLUTION chiefly depended that it was
" must be evident to all that upon gen.
erM manufactures of religious duty, re
i ligious living 1t will be impossible tc
build up this nation in such patriotism as
, is inculcated by your society. Loyalty tC
Christ must be the groundwork OF al
loyalty. Ii you ask me to what one thing
more than another attribute this want Of
true patriotism | do not hesitate to answer
4 to the lack of definite systematic religious
4 instruction in our daily schools, both
T public and private. | do not say that there
10 no religious instruction there, but thai
il is not definite enough and systematic
enough. ,a
Despite our unhappy divisions, there ii
enough OF at least profesSed agreement
among Christians to make it possibl,
thing To give this instruction in the cardi
nal verities which are universally pro
claimed.
There may come, God grant it, tim,
when the State shall deserve and win NOR
Of the peoples homage than is now paiC
tu it. But this will not be until its affair
are administered with greater honesty an,
equity, not until wiser and truer men ar,
compelled into its offices, and the vol
pOpuli shall be but the re.echo in every
ward and precinct of the vox Del.
\ Then men will recognize what some are
SO slow now to recognize, that Whatever il
the State eAcites our admiration because o
It's wisdom and justice and power is ther,
because God is there; for God, the God o
bur fathers and the God who is to be our
4 Forever and ever, for God, and He alone
y wisdom and power and justice.
SSH II must he remembered that here. a,
Elsewhere. the church preceded the State
First the church was organized, and after
Wards the republic came.
The religion which America wants am
Al the world wants is one that is superio
- our fallen humanity, and yet is no
Move dealing with humanity wEeresoeve
md in whatsoever condition it may b
Mound. This is the religion of Him, tn
4 festival of whose incarnation we are nov
Apreparing to celebrate with Christmas joy
n and of Him for whose second advent I
y claim all the kingdoms for His own W
are also taught to wait. with even create
a Joy, as it will be the day of our own rt
demption forever and ever.