The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-05-29
MEMORIAL SERVICES.
Rev. l.. w. Beattie Delivers an Able
and Interesting Sermon.

Following is a synopsis of the Me-
mortal sermon by Rev. Beattie, at the
opera house Sunday evening.
Text 3, Sam. 1892 And the king lifted
up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner
and all the people wept"
"Of all the great generals that led the
armies of Israel there was none greater
than Abner.
Captain of the host when Saul was king;
But when the House of Kish made way
for the greater House of David, he trans
ferred his allegiance to this new and
divinely ordered dynasty.
Abner's pledge of loyalty to David
aroused the jealousy of Joab = David S
daring but cruel chieftain-so that Joab
treacherously took Abner's life.
David was deeply wounded by this act
of Joab. likewise the people, not because
he was incapable, but because he used his
grand capabilities for such mean ends.
Greatness lies not in the abundance of
talents man possesses. nor the brilliancy
of the genius with which he may dazzle
the eyes of the multitude, but in the use
| to which he devoter those talents, in bless
ing, in an unselfish manner, his fellows
and his age.
Abner, the equal if not the superior of
Joal as a general, put himself into his
kings cause, believing the cause greater
and of more Importance than the man who
defended it. Consequently his name was
enthroned in the affections of the king and
people.
His funeral cortege passed by. The
king himself is mourner next his bier,
while Israel's thousands follow on until
they reach the sepulcher, where amidst
the sobbings OF the people the king cries
out; ''Know We that there is prince and
great man fallen in Israel today"
"Our purpose tonight is similar to that
of David and Israel at the grave of Abner, to
express an affection for those who counted
not their lives precious that they might
win nations glory.
These services can be easily mistaken in
their purpose. we can think of them simply
as an annual occasion of rejoicing over the
victories of the late war, of gloating over
routed foes, of living again in scenes of
courage and retailing experiences of prison
life. when such a life was like Dantes
hell. Such should not be our aim. But
rather to recall the lives, the deeds, the
characters, the purposes, the graces of de-
parted comrades, and chant again
requiem over valiant heros graves. Each
year lengthens the time distance between
Appomatox and the present, but is shorten
ing the ranks of the survivors of the late
war. Each year a fewer number to
cherish the memory of the departed, but
greater number to be cherished in the
affections of those who remain.
We can commemorate tonight and recall
with profit the names of our nations
honored dead, because of what those
deaths signify.
l. The Love for native land, other
wise called Pat'iotism, is nobly exempli
fed in what our beloved comrades did,
leaving lucrative employments and happy
homes to meet the enemy on bloody fields
of conflict, to endure long and wearisome
marches. and baptize our land with their
own life blood, that the Union may re-
main and freedom might reign throughout
our land.
In this age of mad rushing for material
advantage we often place too light value
on Love for native land. THE institutions,
civil, social, educational and religious,
that have grown and thrived on American
soil are our glory today. But, do we APP
preciate enough at what cost of blood
they were secured? When we turn our
thoughts to the men who on the various
battlefelds of the Southern states, fought,
bled. yea, died because they loved Liberty,
believed in freedom, were filled with
patriotic love, we ought to have on our
Love of country" fired anew with thrice
kindling flame.
Here tonight let us realize once more.
and if the mortal years remain to US,
again and again those thoughts feelings
and aspirations that seek to perpetuate on
American SOIL manners, customs, institu
tons, that are not alien to our life, that are
destructively American. Yea are Christian
and will ever so remain until the end of
time.
These memorial services coming with
them the blossoms of May, enjoin US to
give fitting testimonials of our love for
those who fell in the conflict for Freedom
and in addition to our words of apprecia-
ton for their patriotism, place these
same May blossoms on their graves, ten
derby breathing the words:
Here sleeps the brave, who sink to rest,
By all their country's wishes blessed"
Secondly. The "Self-sacrifce" of the
deceased veteran IS deserving of our com
memoration tonight. 1t savors of treason
to say the spilling of so much blood was
wrong. Self-sacrifce for noble cause
was never wasted energy; never noble
cause won without it. The worlds greatest
blessings were secured only at the price of
sacrifice. All great achievements are
stained with crimson marks. There would
be nothing in history to thrill US, nothing
in nature to arouse our activities if death
did not go before larger life. From the
crimson stains of Calvarys cross to the
dying kernel in the furrow. In order that
humanity may be enobled to yield eternal