The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-08-31
IS AN EDUCATION.
Rev. Watson b. Willard ON the Big
G. A r. Event

rev WATSON ID. Mlilaf0 on the big
G. A. R. Event.
Rev. Watson B. Millard, 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
The apostle, in this passage, said DR..
Millard, Is speaking Of the great body Of the
church on earth, which is mentioned as ali
who are seeking to carry the Lords work
he speaks or 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, can easily recall
those stirring events, the mastering of COM
panfes and regiments the farewells as the
great army went to the front the news OF
battle and suffering, and all the great events
OF that mighty struggle. Two and one third
millions of men composed the great Union
army and navy, and it is a number beyond
comprehension.
After the four years of terrible conflict.
nearly 100000 out of the number gave up
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 great an army
which won such inestimable benefit for man.
nhl tod Co In hor
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 100000 men. We may
well count 1t a 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
ization are forcibly 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 it's attend
ing circumstances, from year to year fur
nishes one of the best means for the educa-
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
recognize the deeper lesson that is contained
in the text. The G. A. r. is a type, ALSO of
still grander army and which is mentioned
in the text. The grandest army Of all Is
1.-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 are written in heaven, will
be found to be members of the Church of
Christ We note this contrast that while the
veterans have finished their warfare. 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 no one can Join the G.. A. R.
who has not made his record in the war, we
may all of us join this greater army.