The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-08-31
is AN EDUCATION.
Rev. Watson ID. Willard on the Big
G.. A. R. Event. 4

Rev. Watson b. Willard ON the Big
C. A. r.. Event.
Rev. Watson B. Willard, Of Plymouth
Congregational church, preached a
special sermon at his morning service
yesterday appropriate in it's bearing
upon the national encampment Of the
G. A. r.
The church was filled with a large
number of veterans present in token Of
the special occasion set apart in their
behalf. The pastor chose his text from
Hebrew, 1928, as follows: ITO the
general assembly and the church of
the first born, which is written in
heaven"
Willard. is speaking of the great body Of the
church on earth, which is mentioned as all
who are seeking to carry on the Lords work
He speaks Of 1t as great assembly and we
may well use it as type Of the Grand Army
OF the Republic, whose encampment Is Just
upon US. Those of us who are old enough to
remember the day of war, easily recall
those stirring events, the mastering of COM
pan1es and regiments, the farewells as the
great army went to the front the news of
battle and suffering, and all the great events
or that mighty struggle. Two and one-third
millions of men composed the great Union
army and navy, and 1t Is number beyond
comprehension.
After the four years of terrible conflict.
nearly 100000 out of the number gave UP
their lives, either in battle or from wounds
or exposure. Thus, even this brief fact, can
tell something of the awful sacrifice or can
tell of the cost Of the defense of the country
and the perpetuity Of our institutions. When
victory and peace were at last achieved,
nearly two millions Of men put down their
arms and went back to the farm and to the
shop and the counter and desk, fact which,
in itself, is remarkable in showing the char
acter of the valiant soldiers
1t was not fitting that SO great an army
m man
should be absolutely obliterated. So the happy
thought OF the G. A. R., suggested first by
DR.. Stevenson, of Illinois. and his companions,
was worked out in the splendid organization
In 1866. During these thirty years of course
many have passed away, but today the rep
resentatives coming to our city represent a
membership of above 350. 900 men. We may
well count II large honor to welcome these
veterans and fully recognize the great work
they have done for US. Every one Of these
men have had some part In this great vic
tory and have been honorably discharged
from service. The principles of their organ
ization are forcblv expressed in the three
words. Fraternity Charity and Loyalty. They
are pledged to the continual prosperity and
safety of our country.
The great encampment with all its attend
ing circumstances, from year to year. fur
niShes one of the best means for the educa-
ton Of the young and rising generation, and
of patriotism for all. Their principles form
the basis for all noble conception of true love
and reverence Of ones country. But. while
we seek to do honor to these men. who have
sacrificed and suffered. it is fitting that we
recognize the deeper lesson that is contained
in the text. The G.. A. r. is a type. also, OF
a still grander army and which is mentioned
in the text. The grandest army Of all is
''the general assembly and church of the first
born" These mean the great BODY Of true
believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We do not
mean those who are simply members of the
church, but all those whose names are written
in heaven. AS we go to the archives of Wash
ington for the official enrolment Of the G. A.
R.. so the names of the great army of God
are enrolled in heaven.
But it is fair to say that while not all of
those enrolled on the church records belong to
the great army, yet undoubtedly the greater
number of these written in heaven, will
be found to be members of the Church of
Christ. We note this contrast, that while the
army of God is still in the midst Of the fight
All that is good in the G. A. r. is sustained
and encouraged in this greater army. Let us
rejoice that while one can Join the @. A. r.
who has not made his record in the war, we
may all of us join this greater army.