Connecticut western news., 1896-05-28
MEMORIAL SUNDAY.

church at Ashley Falls, Mass, last Sun- day at 2 30 D. m. The church was very neatly decorated with flags, bunting, evergreens and with profusion of flowers. On the wall behind the desk was displayed the large and beautiful silk flag of David S. Cowles Post G. A. | R. while on each side stood the guidons of the Post. Sixteen G A R. comrades. mostly members of D. s. Cowles Post. formed h double file near the park and | then marched to the church and occupied the seats reserved for them directly in front of the desk. A goodly delegation of the Woman's Relief Corps occupied seats directly across the aisle from the Post. Soon every unoccupied seat in the church was taken by the people who had as- sembled outside the church.
 The services were opened by singing the long metre doxology, followed by responsive reading. The choir sang Hymn 1lO1 "Great Ruler of earth and skies." Prayer was offered by the Rev B. Seeholzer, pastor of the M. D. Church at Canaan, Conn. The choir rendered the anthem entitled Gree dom's Song, Come Join in Chorus. Rev Seeholzer then read for the scrip ture lesson the first chapter of Joshua. The choir sang Hymn 1908 "Lord while TOT all mankind we pray"
 THE SERMON
 was delivered by the Rev l., O. H. Adams, pastor of the M. E. Churches at Sheffield and Ashley Falls. The text was Judges V. 2 and IS. The ser mon was very appropriate one. Many different topics were presented but none long dwelt upon. As a pre- face to his sermon MT Adams remarked that when the invitation came to him to address the veterans to-day his heart immediately responded, and he now thanked the G. A. R. for the privelege of speaking to them. Among the thoughts which Mir Adams presented were: "It is grand thing to bring to memory once a year the splendid achievements of the soldiers who fought for country" "The war demon strated that our volunteers, our citizen sodiery so-callled, were as brave aud reliable in battle as the trained soldiers of Europe" and | some important battles, especially Lookout Mountain, Murfreesboro, Gettysburg. ''The results these men achieved astonished the world. They demonstrated the principle that coun- try stands above party. At first (when the war commenced) it seemed to be a question of party but soon the enthus- iasm spread and the question became not one of party but country, and not was man & republican or democrat but was he a loyal American citizen" Coming to the present time Mir Adams said the question to be asked h select ing public officers, s'is the candidate one who will use his influence in de- fence of morality?" or in legislating on any measure, "has this law for its end the veal of the Great Republic?" Party should be the servant of the people," 1.-The boys in blne effected the results already mentioned and showed the world that the United States was com potent to hold her own against tyranny and that she is an asy- lum for the oppressed of all nations, and they perpetuated the doctrine of equality of all men," "The thing to be thankful for to-day is the friendly | feeling between all sections of our country, and the brotherly attitude of the boys in blue and the boys in grey." "No patriot ought to have thought of country without thought of God. Was it not God who put strength into the arm of the soldier? God gives the soldier strength to overcome foes worse than any met on Southern battle fields" "The boys of to-day have a chance to win victories for God and righteousness, greater victories than those their fathers won on Southern fields"
 After the sermon, Mir Adams offered prayer. The choir sang Hymn 10S9, My country tis of thee." The bene- diction was pronounced and all depart. ed for their homes feeling that the ser vices had not been held in vain.