Smyrna times., 1894-05-30
Memorial Sermon at the M. E.
Church.

Sunday was beautiful day-a typi-
cal May day-quite contrast from the
previous Sunday when almost the en-
tire congregation stayed close to their
homes while the rain drifted in tor
rents. Last Sunday found large con-
gregation cut to hear the memorial
sermon which Rev. Adam Stengle was
announced to give. The choir gave
we'll prepared music and the organ
vOluntaries were sweet and harmon
ious.
Rev. Mr.. Stengle announced his text
from jeremiah the eth chapter and 1st
verse "Oh that my head were waters
and mine eyes fountain of tears, that
l might weep day and night for the
slain of the daughter of my people,"
He introduced his remarks by stating
the condition of Judah in the days of
jeremiah and how the manifold sins of
the Jews gave occasion for tears. After
a brief historic sketch he applied his
text to more modern times and spoke
of the occasion for tears in our own
day and land, the various evils which
caused such. But Memorial Day" re-
lates to the past more than to the pres
ent. He explained the Importance Of
setting such day apart, as a national
holiday, in this the month of flowers,
and as all nature is fresh and green so
too we might keep fresh and green the
memory of our fallen dead. Itawakens
memories OF the late war, its cause and
effects, and its occasions much weeping.
Here he divided his subject under two
principal heads, slavery and the
Saloon" Among the reasons for weep
| ing we may name The cost of the war;
the fratricidal character oft; the bitter
ness engendered; the character aud
the number of the slain; the suiferings
of the innocent; and the fact that was
all unnecessary.
Many people believe in letting the
past bury the past, but he thought there
were reasons for awakening these pain
full memories of the war against slavery
aud rebellion. He thought that the
present and future well.being of the
nation demands that it remember the
past and that we may profit by its les
sons. The slain of the past have
claims on the present for respect anC
gratitude. Many lives were lost. anC
millions of dollars were expended tha
we might enjoy a country in this day
which would be the grandest on tht
face of the earth. The slain of the pas
ought to impress on us the dreadful re
suits of national sin--the corruption o
politics, socialism, anarehism and rum
ism, In connection with this he SPOKE
of trifiing with ballot boxes and briber
, of votes. and he said if he had th
, power he would disfranchise every
voter who sold this right of American
: citizenship. He touched upon the sub
ject of immigration, in which he sal
there was plenty of room in this eoun
> try for those foreigners who wish t
make an honest living, but for the out
!, casts, whose purposes were none othe
q than to create strife and rebellion ther
was not a spot OF ground to be give
away.
q The slain, he said, should inspire
= us higher appreciation of our right
4 and privileges as American citizens an
that it should kindle in us a create
patriotism. We should love our couI
try, and be true American citizens
3 The country was dear to those wh
l. died in the war and it should be des
n to US. Peace should reign suprem
II and the lesson which the slain hav
v taught us should remind us of oU
!. frailty and brevty of life. He col
70 cluded his sermon by describing tt
l. evils Of the saloon, and the cursed ru
ls traffic which in this day gives Occasio
10 for tears. He said that rum had cause
is more suffering, more broken hearts an
D. pitiful homes than slavery had ev'
'e caused. Governor Tillman, of Mort
le Carolina, may be considered "a Gran
a for the action he took in enforcing u
d liquor dispensary law of that State. bl
y he only wished there were more cranl
at like him. He admired him for his ma
d. hood, that he should stand up for d
h. right and use his utmost efforts to e
e. force it. He exhorted the people
v. Alright the evils Of the rum traffic az
e. vote for God, for home and natl,
Q. land. and make this the theme of las
ing patriotism,