Middletown transcript., 1894-06-02
MEMORIAL DAY SERMON.
Rev. n. NJ. Brownies Address to
A. R. Last Sunday Ni0ht.

Rev. n. NJ. Brownies Address to G.
, A. r. Last Sunday Night.
Major John Jones Post, No. %, Grand
: Army of the Republic, attended special
memorial services in the Methodist Episco.
pal Church last Sunday evening. The fol,
lowing members of the Post were present
George Echenhofer, Alfred Warren, c.
W. Dodd, D. L. Dunning, ]. w. Jolls, ]. C.
; Wilson, C. NJ. Stanger. DIR. R. B. Mckee,
J. L. Wilson, A. G. Cox, l. r. Wilson, C. w.
Jones. w. W. Wilson, J. w. Gary and w.
: L. Stewart.
The memorial character of the meeting
, was of special interest to the Post and the
many friends of the G. A. R. The occasion
could not fail to awaken recollections of
other days in the minds of tae few who
emain, who were the associates of the
fallen ones, whose dust sleeps beneath the
soil of cemetery and battlefield.
The pastor in behalf of the church ex-
tended cordial welcome to the Post, and
referred in appropriate terms to the custom
of annually gathering to worship God on
the Sabbath preceding Decoration day, and
expressed the hope that such recognition
of God and His service might be main
tanned
The text of the discourse was selected
from Ephesians GIL: "Put on the Whole
armor of God, that ye may able to stand
against the wiles of the devil"
Human life was represented as conflict
and any picture of life without this feature
was like the play of Hamlet with Hamlet
left out. The internal strife in the indiyi-
dual heart was contest for supremacy not
unlike civil conflict when parties Of the
same soil fought to subjugate or exterm-
nate. Of such struggle many living to-
day had sad recollections burned in the
memory as by fire. Though since the noise
of war had hushed there had been most
marvellous recuperation, yet the disfguring
scar remained. Many issues raised between
nations, the friendly offices of diplomacy
peacefully and satisfactorily settle, but
| here there can be no arbitration, concession
nor compromise
A conquest made, requires the strictcst
vigilance, to prevent repossession by the
enemy, and this can be done successfully
only, by putting on the whole armor of
God.
The invisible character of the enemy
He lies hidden along the pathway of human
life and constant watchfulness is the only
security
When men have been equipped by grace,
and hold supremacy in their own hearts,
and over their own lives, then, and not till
then, are they prepared to muster on the
field for more effective service
There are issues which confront every
inv abiding citizen. There are bloodless
natties 10 be fought, the favorable results of
ahich is the only solution of problems in |
political economy, and is the only method
by which social questions can be settled |
With any degree Of satisfaction.
These questions are at the front to-day |
making loud and repeated demands for |
consideration These questions involving |
the very existence of the naticn have baffled |
our wisest statesmen and bewildered the |
most profound and sincere political econo-
mists. Men need 10 be properly equipped |
i'll mind and heart 10 intelligently meet and |
defend the interest which we as citizens of |
this great republic haye at stake.
These times demand men brave and true
i'll defence and maintenance of the purest |
principles of justice between men.
Labor is the life blood of the nation. 1t
must be fostered and the rights Of the honest
toiler must be protected The interests Of
both labor and capitol must be evenly
balanced SO that there be no conflict be-
tween them.
The old countries of the east with their
imperial forms Of government, with their
aristoeratic and royal ruling classes with
the restraint and pressure upon the masses
have produced plentiful crop of discon-
tent, taking form under the name of
communism and socialism;
restrained as they must be- they turn with
longing eyes to this land of liberty. The
tide at full flood has set westward the spirit
of discomfort is the first to speak, when
they land, and in the colonies that gather
about our great centers Of population, there
is fomented spirit that underlies the un-
rest that agitates. and disturbs society in
almost every part of our land. These
armies of idle men marching to Washing
ton aimless and penniless is one of the
outcroppings of these disquieted aliens.
Mon w bn Toor H. a. /
serve the union of states must in the same
spirit hold to their faith in God and teach
their children that these God given rights
shall be maintained and preserved to com
ing generations.
In few days you will meet to make green
and fragrant the graves of the men with
whom you marched and camped thirty
years ago. They with you in response to
the call Of their country left the peaceful
avocations of life, endured the hardships of
army life, and before the dawn of peace
went up before that tribunal, before which
all controversies are settled and where
peace uninterrupted reigns May Decoration
Day call up the men and their noble deeds
and bring to you fresh inspiration to be
true to God, your country and yourselves.
These remarks were followed by singing
My Country 'Tis of Thee And as the
congregation moved slowly down the aisles
of the church, the organ accompanied by
Mr. George Price with cornet, played THE
Star Spangled Banner" with beauty of
harmony and spirit that charmed everyone
whose ears were greeted by these patriotic
strains.
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE.
Tribute to the Memory of the Braye
who Sleep.
Decoration Day was observed in Middle