The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-25
A MEMORIAL SERMON
MEMBERS OF GEORGE H. THOMAS
POST, G. A. r., ATTEND SERVICES.
Rev. Mr. Milburn breaches to the Law
school Graduating Class-At
the Tabernacle.

Patriotic services were held yesterday
morning in Memorial Presbyterian Church.
corner of Christian avenue and Ash street.
by George II. Thomas Post, G. A. r. The
members Of other posts were present and
assisted in the exercises. The interior of the
church was decorated with flags draped
from the walls. Above the pulpit hung an
American flag. which is said to be the larg-
est flag In the United States. 1t is the
property of the Big Four railroad and was
loaned to the George II. Thomas Post for
| the occasion. The flag weighs 40 pounds.
An interesting feature of the exercises &C.
| Cured after the sermon when the Boys
| Brigade marched into the church and
| formed about the pulpit. While the brigade
remained standing Joseph Overman recited
| "Our Pledge" a patriotic poem. The serv-
| ices were opened by prayer led by Rev.
| Samuel Sawyer, chaplain OF the post. The
memorial sermon was by Rev. Frank 0.
4 Ballard pastor OF the church, who selected
| the words from jeremiah Xvii. 6, q: 20
4 thou sword of the Lord. how long will II
| be ere thou be quiet? Put myself into they
scabbard, rest and be STILL" How can 1t
| be quiet, seeing the Lord hath given 1t a
| charge"
| After referring to the significance OF the
| day the pastor dwelt on the causes that
| led to the late war. Then he said in part:
This was the rebellion. which you put
4 down. Bad as il is on its face. 1t becomes
aggravated when we consider the origin and
| the agencies by wiion IL was conducted Ii
/ begun in conspiracy In ali history, ancient
| or modern, is there any record OF conspiracy
/ SO vast, so wicked. ranging over such space
/ TO seize a castle or assassinate prince Is
| petty by the side of this enormous pro-
4 tracted treason. 1t Is granted that when a
people are oppressed by their government 1t
1 Is natural right they enjoy TO relieve them
| selves of oppression by oyerthrowing II and
| substituting a government more acceptable.
| no pretense OF oppression by the government
| upon the South 1t was all done under the
| OF the Constitution were seized by the con-
| spirators and wreSted to the purposes or
reason IL was auaaciousiy aeciarsu IN sna -
| in the exercise OF its own discretion might
annul the Union 1t reduced the Nation to
| a name, a shadow, a dream-an unsubstan-
1 single State. This was the anafclical pre-
| tension or slavery. IL was a crime against
IL and stigmatize 1t as deed without a
shade OF redeemins light. 1 ask the youth
OF this Nation was II revolution or was II
History of treachery, deserving OF the blast
ing light and nery crash of the sword which
How can'st thou rest sword, seeiiig
the Lord hath given thee charge That
sword OF God was loosed and through four
| long years plunged up and down through
the vitalS OF slavery and all the land sui
fered; plunged up and down through the
States suffered. repeat we were ali guilty
of slavery-the South alone of treason. Be-
hold, therefore, with what exact retributive
| justice the sword of God did its strange and
dreadful work. To-day the Nation is in
! tears; We mourn our slain. Over the grave
OF the Union and Confederate alike we strew
| a a0Tif1n md
| account OF slavery Joined in a common liz
| EQUITY, common cnastisement. common sub
twice without glory. They not only VS. smote 'a al
the negro but at the only champion he had
We need not declaim against them now
But history is history. 1t Is ours in the
| reunited and purified age of noble men Il
love our brethren of the sunny land all the
more, that God has required them to march
| alone down the ages OF history TO the slow
double-dirge OF suffering and defeat, I'M.
mixed with glory, save such glory as valol
III Charge and vaior in resistance can bring
TO those who fight even when the scales OF
truth and justice turn against them.
For the great host OF those you met In
battle there is need to cherish no rancor
They were misinspired and mtscirected To
them, therefore. greater pity. They were for
gwen the moment they threw down the
trenches of yicksburg and Richmond. Grant
the man WHO made the heart of rebellion
| quake under the ribs Of treason, at Appo-
mattox gave the yanquished rebels rations
homes and seed corn The Union was saved
ana against those who falsely opposed il
tnere was no revenge, no puD.shment; the,
mad been punished enough. There is one
great impression left on me as 1 view thu
history or nations. 1t is that there is :
just God who rules in the heavens Cyouds
and darkness are round about him: Justice
and judgment are the habitations of hi
throne
Another thing we see. That 50 long as
we Iougnt the war Of the rebellion, intend.
ing taggds to Leave slavery untouched failure at
lenueu our armies. But as soon as 1t was
determined upon emancipation and Lincoln
issued the proclamation, Vicksburg fell
Sherman swept to the sea and the Confed
eracy crumbled and tottered into dishono,
and everlasting death. The war In the al
vine purpose OF it-whatever man intended
was nrst the freedom Of the negro and nc
success could crown Its armies until the
negro was called to the front. Providence
intended good for the Nation as well as FOL
the save. The war sobered US A uatjor
cannot look death in the face for four wear.
WITHOUT arriving at some clear conscious
ness or the stun It Is made UP Of and withou
SOME great moral change That change ha,
OUT pohtlcs have assumed a maniier tone
t rne south Is even a greater beneficiary o.
h tne war c,. than ina the North; The cancer ha,
that the ex-slaveho,ders were so far sails
ned with the change that they would not
II tney could, revert to the former syster,
tons has % come are harmony our
sword OF the God and not OF Mars r. ha,
charge given TO 1t. But 1t has bse,
sIee in IL rests and Is quiet Long ma.
OF memory stretching from every battlefiel,
ana patrlouc grave to every living hear
ana hearthstone all over this broad Ian,
already as Lincoln told us they wouid a,,rs
| ly be, by the better angels OF orr atnr.
our true admiration for the soldier is no
IA tne iaet that ne represents destruction
maintains the law. because law means ,,s