The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-24

~ rev SnCTI TeIndIhS OI W lic
decoration committee and ushers. He
then read his text taken from Joshua,
iv:6-7: That this may be a sign among
you, that when your children ask their
fathers in time to come saying, what
mean ye by these stones. Then ye
shall answer them These
stones shall be for a memorial unto
the children of Israel forever"
MR.. SWEETS SERMON.
In the course of his sermon the pas
tor said that they had gathered not
to renew old annimosities. not to re-
call the memory of the past with hat
red, not to revile the late enemy, but
to pay a token of respect to the hon
ored dead. To place a memorial over
against the place which marked the
last resting place of those who had
been mustered out to "join that in
Vulnerable caravan, which moves TO
the pale realm Of shade where each
shall take his chamber in the silent
halls of death"
your action" continued he "is not
only justihable but ennobling for 1t has
as its motive the keeping ever green the
memory of those whose lives had been
laid down on the battle field or in pris-
on house for a just cause. But it is
wise to forget the injury, the cause
of strife, and to allow no reflections
upon the past, which would near the
beautiful intention on such occasions.
Better by far to bury such feelings
for were we not the victor's and cannot
we not be charitable to the vanquished
ones?" The trials of Gods people be-
fore coming under the leadership of
Joshua were then upon and it was
shown that for a memorial to their
successors, this pile of stones were
erected near, Jordan. This would prove
that though suffering forty years trial,
they had at last reached Canaan and
already their hearts were gladdened by
the sight of their new inheritance. In
deed, it was a memorial of deliver
ance.
DARK DAYS OF THE WAR.
The pastor then, in an eloquent
strain, carried the old soldiers back to
the days when the issue of 1860 was
fought out. From Sumter to Fort
Doneldson, from Petersburg to Fair
Oaks, from Atlanta to the sea, and
from Gettysburg to the fall of Rich
mOnd, they were taken. and the prin-
ciple for which they had fought was
vindicated. Three conditions were REL
sultant. First q physical condition OF
Freedom to 100000 of bondmen. Sec
ond, a clever union of interest between
the North and South, which grows
stronger and closer as time passes
Third, the gradual blotting out Of any
similar conditions which might cause
another rupture.
We fix a stone in the pile for the
dead, the MANNED, the halting. But
there is nothing to show the tears
shed, the bitter sigh of broken heart
the anguish and sufferings of those
left to mourn.
In the midst of the nations trave'
comes the assassination of the beloved
leader, Abraham Lincoln. All else was
forgotten in this universal loss and he
who had been faithful. constant and
true to she soldier boys was sincerely
mOurned by a nation. Place then the
topmost stone on the pile as a cap.
sheave for the memory of Homes
Abe"
Close approaches the day when tn;
nation shall bow as one man to dc
honor to the soldier dead. To the grear
| leaders who are gone, to the mer
| who followed these leaders and as this
| day of universal recognition come!
| each year, the post grows less in num-
bers. Shortly the post will be no more
Let lis then serve the Leader of Lead
| crs, the Lord. For in the shedding o.
| His precious blood was not a nation
| but the whole world redeemed.
| Then when time Is no mora NNhar III.
| arms have been stacked for the las
time you all will find rest in the grea
| Camp of God. After the singing o
my Country 'Tis of Thee" the benedic
ton was pronounced. During the ser
mon the pastor interspersed severa
very beautiful original poems.