Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-24
SOLDIERS IN CHURCH.
The Capital City Guard Attend Services st
the Second Baptist Church.


Last evening there was a large attend
ance at the Second Baptist Church. color
ed. the occasion being the annual sermon to
the members OF the Capitol City Guards by
RevW. Bishop johnson, the pastor of the
church, and also chaplain of the guards.
The members of the company to the number
Of about seventy-five attended the services
In body. Capt. Abram Acwith command
Ing, with Capt. Louis Collins. First Lieut..
G. H. Webster and Second Lieut.. Roland
Lee.
The subject of the pastors discourse was
THE Negro in War and in Peace" He took
his n text from Zach: ~ VI; rNS Sn,r 3y
tory of the American republic" began the
pastor. has grim visaged war Starred
lated her r' proud cities. spread devas ton
and death in its pathway and painted NIL
and dale in crimson hue
various manners in which statesmen had
reproduced the scenes OF these bloody strtg-
g1ss oqp5ing from Rev yo Mr. oSnson s shs
that 5000 negroes figured In the revolu-
tionary war. and also gave an idea OF the
tie late war. When Capt. Perry received a
squadron Of men composed largely Of
negroes. he expressed his indignation and
motley crew of blacks, soldiers and boys"
whereupon Commodore Chauncey assured
him, nave YET 10 ISdT1 tflat tne Color OF
the skin or the cut and trimmings of the
coat can effect mans qualifications for
usefulness. 1 have nearly fifty. blacks on
board this ship. and many OF them are
Coming down to the civil war. the
pastor gave glowing description of the
event and told of the monuments erected
to the memory of the mighty dead. Those
who fell amidst the din OF the embattlei
arms, robed in the smoke Of conflict and
immersed in human blood. are living
grander lives today in the memory of all
good men than they could had their names
been Inscribed in letters of living light
among those of earth's highest statesmen
and philosophers"
The causes which led to the civil war ne
said reach beyond and ante-date the Ameri-
can state. American slavery had it's birth
simultaneously with the landing OF the May
flower. After quoting from Col. Williams,
the soldier and historian, he said: The
price Of the Union In 1859 was the surrender
OF the clear. honest conviction that slavery
was w r the price Of the Union d In lSS
misery and Woe"
The negro's experience as a soldier he
snd these are two Of the
Important clements in the rise Of people
Daniel O,Connor said to Ireland. "Heredi-
tary bondsmen. know We not that he who
would himself be free must strike the blow.
The negro anticipated OConnor when he
arose and caused the nation to tremble IKE
a reed shaken by a mighty wind. And now
In peace what must be our duty" asked
the pastor. I'VE owe 1t to those who paid
ever keep their memory fresh in the minds
Of the present generation. The negro as a
citizen has greater obstacles to surmount
than the negro soldier The greatest prob
lem of the age remains unsolved. II We
rise at all IL must be by our own merit.
Let us be sober. intelligent and indus,
trious; giving less attention to pleasure and
folly and paying strict attention to the laws
of economy. securing to ourselves and our
children prosperity and education. and thus
become producer rather than a con-
Sumer."