Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-05-28
AT WESLEY NJ. E. CHURCH.
Rev. Roberts breaches to the Ladies OF
the G. A. X.


the G. A. X.
Rev. w. D. Roberts, pastor OF the
Wesley NJ. Z. Church, last night preach
ed a special memorial sermon TO the La
dies of the G. A. R., who were present
in large numbers. The choir rendered
especia music. The altar was hand
somely decorated with silk American
flag aud fragrant lilies, roses and carna-
tions, relieved by festoons OF ever
green. A fervent prayer was offered
up by Commander f. II. Crago, after
which Rev. Roberts took his text from
Judges AS and preached an eloquent
| sermon.
In his Introductory remarks he toIo
| the Bible story OF Deborah saving
Israel, from which he concluded that 1t
is not hard to win when God is on our
side. Like Gideon's band, God does the
lighting, we the obeying. Concluding
he said the question OF States rights
that involved the slavery of four million
human beings, precipltated our country
| into a civil conflict in 1865 that called
out the loyalty and heroism OF both
men and women. Though the women
did not enlist they were employed as
nurses and many of them took up the
implements of husbandry and conduct
ed the business at home while husbands,
sons and brothers marched to South
ern battlefield where their bones
lie bleaching IN a Southern sun.
In those days the business OF
the country owed much 10
woman. Her influence was also felt In
army, where her letters were always
treated with Difference. Her prayers
softaned the dying pillow OF many
poor lad, and many mothers have had
a weary watch for loved ones who can
never return. To have given them up
at the grave would have been easy for
them; their whereabouts would have
been known; but many good byes were
said with visions of long weary marches;
wounds in battle, sufferings from dis
ease, enemies prison pens, etc; death
all alone, with no loving hand to soothe
the fevered brow, cup OF water or
word OF comfort. These possible reali-
ties of war were always before the
home watchers. Some were fortunate
to have their dead returned for burial,
but many sleep with no mark save a
slab inscribed unknown"
With these reflections before us, who
would forbid these wives, mothers, and
sisters and daughters the privilege OF
strewing flowers in memory OF the ma
tion's dead, known or unknown. It is
fitting one service in the year should be
given to the memory OF the men who
fought and died to save the Union. Let
US not forget those who may be present
to-day, for they may not be again. Be-
fore another May comes many old
| soldiers and ladies Of the G. A. Z. will
| have gone to the land where wars are
not known and the reVielle never
sounds, where swords and spears are
not known.
Old soldiers should be religious.
Reverence the God of battles who pre-
served your life. Having been unitedly
true to your country, should we or you
not be CORRESPONDENCE true to our
Creator? Israel had peace so long as
they remembered God, forty years.
Questions as important in their place,
are pressing Us now, as those that took
your husbands, brothers, sons and
fathers to Apomattox. Prominent Is
the labor question, Sabbath, Bible In
the schools and whisky. These are up
for adjudication and will not down.
This general unrest throughout our
land; this gathering ana marching OF
armies is significant. Hostility to law;
determined and open resistance as in
South Carolina; the oppression OF the
| helpless poor by the rich; these are
some OF the evidences that We as peo-
pie and nation have gone wrong.
What is the wrong? Have We not,
in our greed for gain, forgotten the
Golden Rule?" To-day money gives
man position, influence. social standing.
The true aim and end Of life has been
forgotten. seek first the kingdom OF
God" In this hour Of the nations
need, may we not expect the G. A. r.
and Ladies Of the q. A. r. to stand
firm, as In 1s61.5? l believe in prayers;
won't you join us? This nation is a
child of Providence, and must be a
Christian nation From this has gone
out messengers Of the cross TO every
land under the snn. Let Us as Christian
soldiers arise in our might and main
tain the faith OF the fathers. Then
shall America; henceforth and forever,
be the synonym of freedom, and we
will help to make it possible for Jesus
TO reign"