The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-05-28
THE HEROIC DEAD.
An Able and Patriotic Sermon by Rev. w.
IL. Harrison,

An Able and Patriotic Sermon by Rev. w,
IL. Harrison,
A large congregation listened atten-
lively and with much profit to a sermon on
Decoration Day by Rev. w II. Harrison
in the English Baptist church, ON South
Jardin street, Sunday evening. The text
was taken from Revelation 3: 4-"And
they shall walk with me in the white, for
they are worthy" Rev Harrison said:
Decoration Day is the outcome of a
nations gratitude. 1t is a day set apart
for the expression of our admiration of
the noble deeds of those who suffered, bled
and died in the defense of the Union and
for them who were held in the cruel bond
age of slavery. Perhaps there are here
present this evening some who are not
very deeply interested in this national
displayOf patriotism, as none of their i'm
mediate friends suffered in the great
struggle for liberty; but, as loyal citizens
of the stars and stripes it is our duty to
honor the day and memory of the dead,
as we are also participants in the blessings
that cost so much OF the good blood, as
well as the rich treasures of America.
The religion OF Jesus Christ teaches men
to be Pa riotic; therefore it is the duty of
every one to realize the claims of the
state, as well as to be obedient and faith
full to their duties to God The
Christian who holds the cross of
Jesus Christ in his right hand and
the standard of his country in his left
will make a good citizen. Next Wednes-
day is Decoration Day, and the people of
the United States, from Maine to Califor
mia, and from the lakes to the gulf, will
assemble in thousands to keep high
holiday in commemoration of the
valiant deeds of those who fell on the
battlefelds in defense of the principles OF
Union and Liberty. The bugle call will be
I'D tlal laV,1 IL,
call tens of thousands of veterans,
soldiers and citizens will fall into line
and their measured tread will beat time
to the martial strains of thousand
bands; rifles aud swords will CLEAN in
the sunshine and prancing steeds with
their riders, will add TO the glory of the
scene as they march to the cities of the
dead, as the almOners of floral tributes to
decorate the resting places of those who
sleep beneath the sod, waiting patiently
the trumpet call to muster at the
grand review on the fields of eternity.
Thirty-one years ago ten states with a
population of ten millions were in open
rebellion and the blood of three hundred
thousand men was offered on the altar of
sacrifice as the price of Union and Liberty:
and, for the time being, the blood-red
demon was satisfied. Since that time
there has been peace within our borders
and on Wednesday, next, the banner of
dome, flagstaff and masthead in the
nation, in honor of the heroic dead; a sea
of patriotism will deluge the land: il will
sweep over every city; its waves will lap
the foot of every mountain, inundate the
plains, surge through every valley, and
its dashing spray will fall upon every
hearthstOne of the nation. And. al
though a tear will drop here and there in
loving memory of the father, the son and
the brother, it will be, nevertheless, a sea
of gladness-and impulse OF patriotic
sympathy throbbing and pulsating
throughout the length and breadth Of the
land A stranger in our midst might
ask the question Why this great demon
stratiou The answer is because Liberty
lives and sits and reigns enthroned in
the hearts Of the people, as the Queen Of
the nation Liberty is the fair sister of
truth. She is one of the sweetest angels
of mercy in the universe of God As a
messenger from Heaven she comes to us
to uplift the down trodden, to break the
bonds of tyranny, to snap the shackles of
superstition, and to unbolt the bars OF
political captivity, She wears on her feet
the sandals of helpfulness, her wings fan
the breath of freedom and her hands
pour out blessings all along the pathway
of Humanity. Her brow is as fair as the
morning there is light in her eye, kind
ness upon her lips and her smile
is benediction, Her garments are
from the looms OF progress and
her girdle is strength. 1t was