Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-12
SERMON TO SOLDIERS.
DR.. CarmiChaeIS Discourse to The Rich
mOnd Light Infantry Blues.
HE upHoLDs HONEST WARFARE.
Times for Peace and Times for Bat
lie, and Backs His Position with
the scriptures-Beauti reference
to Lee and Jackson.

The anniversary sermon TO the Rich
mond Light Infantry Blues, which was
preached by Rev. DR.. Hartley Carmi-
chaei the chaplain, at ST. Paufs
church. on Sunday night, was a mas
terly effort. and was listened to by a
large congregation. The battalion III
full dress uniform. occupied the front
half Of the seats on either side Of the
centre aisle, and the remainder or the
edlhce was filed with an audience repre-
senting several denominations
DR.. Carmichaers sermon was defence
Of honest legitimate warfare, and a
portrayal OF the true type Of soldier His
text was a part Of the 18th verse OF the
first chapter Of ST. Pauls First Eplstle
to Timothy: THAT thou mayst war the
good warfare" He opened by saying
that war occupied the foreground OF the
old Testament, and that the relation OF
the New to the Old. in this respect, was
like that Of the Gospel ltselt
TO the law. There were some
who were apt to conclude that
war OF every kind was antagonisuc TO
Christianity, and that the profession or
the soldier was not compatible with the
teachings of Christ, but Christ Himself
had not given color 10 any such notion.
Dr. Carmichael gave number OF REFER
ences here 10 show that the Bible au
thorized war
AS TO HUMANITARIANISM.
DR.. Carmichael. speaking Of those OPP
posed to war; said
There are those who, In this age, are
utterly opposed TO war OF all kinds. In
fuenced by a diseased humanitarianism,
they cry peace, peace, not only wnere
there is no peace, but where, for the time
being. peace cannot be. However. we
may mourn over the fact that we cannot
restrain the murderer by persuasive
means. we are compelled TO confess that
still we can only defend human life by
hanging him. However we may long for
the IDEAL when we can keep children
in the right way by exhorting them, yet
we know as a fact that in many cases
Solomon's dictum still holds good, He
that spareth his rod nateth his son. 10
push humanitariansm TO such an ex-
IRENE is TO sympathize with and encour-
age crime. and TO sacrifice the innocent
for the guilty, the righteous for the I'M
lust. But some sensible people have OBJ
iected TO war, and peace in It's elements
entirely contrary 10 Christianity. III Is
generally admitted that such objectors'
as a rule. belong 10 an age Of peace; an
age In which no cloud has even dimmed
the clear, quiet, comfortable sky. We
see things now, at least those or us VINO
are not absurd jingoes, In peaceful
light We do so because there are no
great causes crying 10 US Immediately
for yindication, no great wrongs plead
ing for redress, no great rights and inte-
rests demanding our deffece. We would
be fools II we were to rush into war
now.
yet. as we well know, times may
come In the history Of people-of
people who believe in the Gospel OF
Christ-when they must bear the sword;
aye. and bear IL not in vain.
MUST DEFEND OUR RIGHTS.
"War for the defence Of our rights and
liberties is a sacred duty OF man." con-
tinued DIR. Carmichael. He who will
not defend his hearth and home Is not
man. on that great principle this people
bled. Rights. you may rob US OF rights,
but we will bleed for them. What is our
own you shall not take away with i'm
punity. For thai principle Jackson fell;
for that Lee left the path OF future mill
tary glory TO cast his lot in with Virginia.
Defensive war is not only at times neces-
sary, II is absolutely right.
Sometimes offensive war Is necessity.
1t is a duty, in emergencies, for the wise
to overcome the ignorant; for the better
government to override the evil and de-
grading. II would be a crowning mercy
II Turkey were wiped off the face OF the
earth. so that her place could nowhere
be found"
MEANS TERRIBLE THINGS.
Dr. Carmichael spoke OF the awful fact
that war means terrible things. ruined
homes, desolated country, burned cities.
and cruelty everywhere; but said that
the necessity OF war was still here. He
declared that we were not sent into this
world to be comfortable. but that we
might be educated, prepared for higher
things. We were sent TO endure hard
ships. as good soldiers of God. Whoever
sought the crown must know the cross.
Said DR. Carmichael:
THE highest human display OF per-
sonal courage. nobility, chivalry, and
honor Is seen In war. 1t is the nurse OF
ssif-sacrifce. The coolest heart is fired:
the slumbering courage is reused by the
call To battle, and when all Is over. be the
cause lost or won. there remains a gio-
rious sentiment, holy memory OF
those who. foremost fighting. fell There
Is something mysteriously great to man