New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-31
A SERMON TO OFFICERS OF THE l4TH.
ADDRESSED by THEIR CHAPLAIN. THE REV DR.


j. o. WILSON.
Colonel Harry w Michel. accompanied by the
sa field and line officers Of the 14th Regimen''o
Brooklyn attended special memorial services IN d.
Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church, seventy
sixth-st.. near Columbus-avco last evening i"e
Rev J. O. Wilson, pastor Of the church VINO was
elected cbapla,n OF the regiment three years ago.
when he had pastorate In Brooklyn. preached the
sermon The pulpit and galleries CT the ch"rcn
were decorated with the National co'ors Inc o'h-
GERS about forty In ALL occupied front seats III 'ie
centre aisle Dr. Wilson appeared In his chaplain
uniform in the pulpit
He said among other things:
"Onc of our National characteristics Is love OF
po,co we arc not now and never have been
warlike end war-loving people. When cur I'M
mortal General exclaimed: Let us have peace! the
conscience and heart Of both North ana South
responded Amen Let rs have peace l. IN inc
very air we breathe. We love peace better than
war Why then do support standing army
and "A National Guard? thought soldiers meant
war. Why. my minimizing friend. you were never
more mistaken our soldiers are our surety for
pcace-both domestic and foreign. The Natiora
Guard stands ready TO die for peace The citizen
is lover Of peace. but he has not promised either
to fight to die for 1t. But we as Guardsmen
have taken an oath that II necessary We will both
fight and die for peace 1t is an act Of self sacri
flee that should make the soldier for ever honor
My critical friend obje It's to this and boldly
declares that the Guardsman IL soldier because
he gets paid for ii. There is no patriotism about
business. He Is soldier because OF the money
In It, Well. my critical friend il there is money
In II. and IL the pay Is SUN an inducement why
and so does the eth. and every regiment In New
York and Brooklyn. Come now. since there Is
must enlist or admit that YOU indifferent 70 a
fine business cpsnns or are Vow wan goras, IN ha ihs
Guardsman receives no salary at all. but simply a
duty for the State. There Is not an officer nor a
private In the National Guard whose necessary ex-
penses do not exceed his allowance by the state:
In other words every Guardsman has to pay for
sonal property, supprcssing riots Maintaining
order and aueiling mobs. He has TO pay for the
privilege of standing ready night and day to hght
has lost his business situation and been discharged
beca his duty soldier compelled him 70
protect life and property by suppresshS rots ana
Had / my way, every selfish and 1npatrott &c
doing HE duty in protecting life and property
should be drafted 10 take that soldiers place and
be denied the privilege Of hiring substitute. on,
for n statute that would put such business men.
ingrates devoid of both principle and patriotism.
that the sacrifice which the Guardsman makes 70
serve his city and State justly entities MIN 20 the
high hest regard and consideration Of every citizen
But the Gardsman stands s ready 10 ngn nn
OF our homes. Suppose mob should attempt 20
surge through the streets Of this fair city. Before
they reached your door they would have 10 pass
over the bodies Of the nth Resment. and the 18Th
18th 22d 69th and list OF this city. Have you
forgotten that between your home and the mob
stand these noble Guardsmen ready TO die .or yo1
and your children? Are they not deserving OF