The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-05-31
AIN ABLE
SERMON !
Delivered by Rev. H. F. O'Reilly in the
AnnunciatiOn Church.
G. A. R. ATTEND DIVINE SERVICE
The Large Bdihce Was Crowded to the
Doors, and Those Present Listened At
tentively to the Patriotic Words Of
the Pastor-The Sons Of Veterans
and Auxiliary Organizations
We're Also Present.

When the hour arrived for the celebration
of the 10 o'clock high mass in the Annun-
citation church yesterday morning the edifce
was crowded to the doors and many people
were unable to gain admission. The men,
bers of Watkin Waters Post No. 146, G. A. R..
Henry Horncastle Camp No. 40, Sons of
Veterans, the Womens' Relief Corps and
Ladies' Aid Society occupied the pews nearest
the altar and many people from other con-
gregations were in attendance to listen to
the sermon of the pastor Rev H. f.
O'Reilly, in cOmmemoration of Memorial
Day. The mass was very impressive SER
vice in which the pastor was assisted by Rev.
DR.. Kennedy, of st. Charles Seminary at
Overbrook and Rev. Henry Naylon. of
town, and the choir rendered inspiring and
impressive music. The affairs were eab-
orately decorated and at each side were the
colors of the visiting organizations.
Upon the close of the mass Rev. O'Reilly
read the episte for the day and then pro-
ceeded with the sermon, which was very
able and impressive effort Rev. O'Reilly
commenced his sermon by saying, Soldiers
Of the Grand Army, it is a pleasing privilege
to bid you welcome to our church. The
custom that has prevailed amongst you for
some years of holding commemorative service
in some church, as well Us decorating the
graves Of the dead soldiers, is highly com.
mendabe and let me say to you, as
stated to the committee that waited on me
when you first proposed to come to our
church and said that you had been to all the
other churches in the town and now wished
to come to mine that no matter how many
churches you may have visited the custom is
one of honor. And why should it not be E?
There is religion in it, to begin with a re-
ligion which directs our worship to God and
knowing as christians, as we all
know, that our first and greatest
duty is to God. Secondly, there is
patriotism in it-patriotism which is love of
country and a willingness to serve that
country, a love which is only second to that
love we owe to God" Rev. O'Reilly briefly
referred to the war period of the recent past
and dwelt at length upon the cause of the
rebellion. In this connection he said Abra-
ham Lincoln stated in one word, when he
said to the south You can have everything
you want and we want only one thing
Union. Give us the union. Give us
united and not divided state. and YOU can
have everything else" Speaking of the
deeds on the battlefield Rev. O'ReiIly spoke
with touching reference to the departed
ones who gave up their lives to save the
Union, and said that the memories of the
thousands Of unknown dead should be held
in as high respect and reverence as those
whose graves are marked. As to his esteem
for the veterans of the war Rev. O'Reillv
said, During the 81 years l have lived
amongst you in Shenandoah, and amongst
the old soldiers, the oftener have met them
and spoken to them the higher regard I have
had for them. l don't say all soldiers are
saints. You and 1 know they are not
soldier can do ugly things as
well as anybody else, but to my know
ledge L have always found them to be
above petty prejudices or small actions.
have always found them above those who
are continually trying to create dissension
between man and man, and those men who
fought and conquered to unite the country
and preserve the Union have always found
too liberal and too generous to create dissen-
sions And if the present or future genera
tion who, in course Of time, will come after
you, and who, if they are animated by the
same view Of patriotism that animated YOU
and those who are now under the graves and
whom you have hOnored by decorating their
graves, if they have the same patriotism to
guide them, and love of country the Union is
in no danger 1t will be perpetuated to the
endless ages, There will be no North or
South, no West or East, which there ought
not to be and if ever that day comes, then,
in the future as in the patt, the brave and
patriotic men of the country will spring to
arms to maintain the Union and a combina-
tion Of even the whole world will not break
it asunder."