The times., 1897-07-05
THE REPUBLIC's LIFE.
Text Of the Sermon at Grace NJ. L
Church

Text Of the Sermon at Grace NJ. +.
Church.
The Republics Life; Opportunity in
Cuba ar sail +" was the subiec Of an
eloquent sermon by Rev Dr. Leech at
Grace If z. Church yesterday morning
Or Leech selected his text from Psalms
ii.1O, IL, u, an d began his sermon with
an allusion To the beautiful custom ob-
Served by both North and South a few
weeks ago in memorial decorations.
Tile great moral ideas entering into
our national Bfc,' was the theme of Dr.
Lccch's discussion. and he said that the
blessing OF the Almighty could only he
secured by keeping in view His principles
In the life OF a nation.
The preacher then traced the original
discovery and Colonization of the land,
showing that God reserved II for centuries
as d place TO develop moral and religious
freedom
Again, this idea was made prominent in
the late civil war, where moral ideas were
IN conflict with material; and he paid
glowing tribute to the earnestness and
bravery the Southern people, and sketched
the pgogresS OF the South la material mat
ters as to educa ton and religion.
He lamented the spirit Of greed that had
20 come OyeI the nation that there was
rage OF mere ney making. luxury and
sensual pleaSUI This led him to speak
nf the reiH ionsuf United states toCuba,
aad his words were as follows:
The effect Of mere mateTialsm is al
ready cropping out in the effolts OF f"rue
TO shape the foreign policy OF the nation
What should be the attitude OF our reputi C
as TO this? The most determined oppoei
ton 10 our nations taking an active and
heneficfnt interest in the st rugele for
freedom. on our Sout hern coast and TO the
annexation Of the western islands Comes
fsom certain monicd interests. They fear
that their selfish interests viii be sacrificed
Il believe God wants great nations 10
interest themselves in holding other pro
pies to tight and justice. We hear much
these days Of the concert OF the powers
in Europe. II is one Of the gIandest con-
ceptions ever formulated hy sta tesnen.
4 w would not have our Goyernmentrashiy
rushed into war with any nation. We
should never go TO war for gain or mere
conquest, but believe the time has come
when we are pushing too far the idea
credited TO George Washington that we
are to avoid all entanglements with the
affairs Gf other people. Were Washin gton
alive I believe he would protest against
applying his adyice-wise enough for those
times of our infancy-with the use now
made nf il. The time has come to let
our Influence be felt in the affairs OF the
nations.
1T is as much q shame TO allow the ex-
tcTn;ndti ton OF brave people in Cuta
Is fr Armenia. II a bloCdthiTsty nation
is enga ged in this work it is time for
the United States to call a halt.
Since the days of Cortez the policy of
Spain has been one of possession and
blood She has no more right to carry
| out such policy than has ,ecruel Turk to
grind Europe under her iron heel We
can see the one, why cannot We see the
other?
1T is on this same high moral groIul
we should all stand for the annexation
Of the fair isles over against the western
gates ofthe Pacific American intelli eencc,
power and morals can make more nI: of
the inhabitants OF those isles than any
| other people. We are able; we sha IL enter
In for the good of mankind; TO spread cur
western civilization Under the fostering
| care OF our laws those beautiful isles shall
| blossom as the rose of Sharon
The church was decorated in flags and
bunting. and patriotic songs We're the order
Of the service