The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-12-18
SERMON TO SOLDIERS
Company A Of the National
Guard at a Methodist Epis-
eopal Church.

$4,000 AASO al
Rev. D. r. Lowrie preached a sermon to the
members of Company A, Fourth Regiment,
and the Emory Battalion of the Boys
Brigade. Both, the company and battalion,
were in full dress uniform and occupied the
front seats. On the wall at the rear of tn
pulpit a large American flag added to the
impressiveness of the sermon, which ap-
pealed to the patriotic sentiment of those
present and was delivered in an excellent
ann Pastor Lowrie chose as his text
Timothy l, vi II. He said:-
II address you this evening as not only
wearing the uniform of American soldiers,
but as carrying a soldiers heart beneath it.
There were many intelligent people before
the war who did not look upon the militia
Jerseys volunteers, by their historic deeds
on many a hard fought battlefield, have put
to silence forever all adverse criticism. The
citizens of this city and State appreciate the
record they have made. | commend you,
my friends, that you have linked yourselves
to the nations life. You have laid your
lives on her altar.
FORCE.
''The institutions secured by moral force
can only be maintained by a moral force
and not by a standing army. 1t is well
known that the American standing army
which is 10000 strong and scattered here
there and everywhere is hardly a respectable
police force. But the founders of the nation
knew what they were saying when they ex-
claimed 'freemen are soldiers in disguise of
citizens. So it was in the struggle for In
dependence. So it wasin the Rebellion. All
honor to our citizen soldiers, who disheart-
ened by defeat never wearied until a STAIN
less flag, without a rival, floated over every
section of this country, n although that
vast army of the Republic has retired to pri-
vate life, let the tocsin of war be sounded,
let foreign foes invade our shores,
and there will be one million
freemen gathered around the emblem of
liberty shouting the battle cry of freedom.
Let it be known to all mel that the true
American stands on guard forever as the
custodian of the nations life. The object of
enlistment is to be ready, if need be, to
fight, and the end of fighting is victory.
He is no soldier who enlists with a view
to escape strife and enjoy ease. Not to him
who ~enlists only or to him who, after en-
listing, fights, but to him who enlists, fights
and overcomes, reward is given. The
crown are meant for the victors' brow.
Paul, the Christian, here had reached the
close of long, ~hard-fought battles. He
stands covered with the scars of a hundred
contests, but he is crowned with the victory
of a hundred battles. This life is a battle.
The physical battle is against disease. The
~ Al W. OSOCSA nv lie
Christian battle is against sin. He who wins
in the battle of life must contend ear nestly
and faithfully.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD SOLDIER.
1.-THE characteristics of a good soldier on
the field of battle are: First. Obedience to
who would not take orders. The first law of
army life is to obey. In the famous charge
of the Light Brigade, so aptly described by
Tennyson, the order given was a mistake
and a blunder, but it mattered not to the six
hundred. On either side of the valley the
Russian cannons were placed, but when the
six hundred came forward it was theirs to do
and die. Into the valley of death rode the six
hundred. The world looking on their brav-
cry said: Honor the Light Brigade. Honor
the charge they made. Noble Six Hundred
The cry Of the loyal soldier is
the cry of Paul, What wilt thou have
me doF Obedience is better than sacrifice.
1t includes sacrifice. The second character
istic Of a good soldier is lovefor the flag and
the passion to conquer. General Sherman
when asked WHAT is the most essential quality
fora soldier, replied love for the flag. When
the fight is on, the soldier always follows his
flag. 1t is well understood that it is a dis
grace to a regiment to lose its colors. The
enemy delights to see the flag fall and takes
special pains to kill the color bearer. Dur
ing the late war when sixteen color bearers
of a certain regiment were shot down, the
seventeenth jumped forward and cried They
haven't touched the ground yet and when
he fell he cried keep them flying"
REVERENCE FOR THE LAG
Reverence for the flag is not a ma tier of
superstition. Th American flag represents
the integrity and life of the nation. It is the
symbol of liberty and protection to our
homes. What the flag is to the soldier the
cross is to the Christian In the cross of
Christ | glory! God forbid I should glory
save in the cross. 1t is the inspiration of all
Christian effort and the protection of all
Christian life. Another element of power in
the brave soldier is faith in his
leaders. It was lack of faith
in some Of our generals that
brought defeat in the recent rebellion, but it
was the faith in Grant that brought victory
to our arms. The fourth characteristic of a
good soldier is religion. The most sublime
picture of the Revolution furnished us is
that of General Washington, who, at Valley
Forge, knelt down in the snow and asked
help from the God of battles. Fellowship
with Christ is sure to give us the victory
over all our foes.n