The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-05-30

ust Church oy Rev. NJ. w. Buck.
"Present Day Patriotism" the Topic.
Dangers OF the Present T lines.
Last night at the First Baptist
church, the pastor. Rev. NJ. W. Buck,
delivered the annual memorial sermon
TO the members OF the local posts OF
the Grand Army, the membership OF
which occupied seats at the front. The
church was nicely decorated with the
national colors. and the posts carried
their flags.
Mr.. Buck said II was great privilege
to have the Grand Army OF the Repub-
lie as guests. and to be permitted to ad-
dress the veterans OF the bluc..r The
solemnitY and sacredness OF the occa-
sion were intensified In that he stood
not alone before the veterans, but also
before the Great Soldier. Proceeding,
the speaker announced his theme,
present Day Patriotism"
Tomorrow tender tributes Of loving
remembrance would be placed on the
graves OF dead comrades, far outnum-
oering, alas. those present co. night. A
great people witness these acts OF af-
ASShtOAA Aihu NCSOklOli " I'LL
But II Is to the living to whom he
would address himself. The war was
fought many years ago, but the veter-
ans OF the last war have q part to play
to-day. The young man Of to-day
needs the example of-the veteran to In
spire him In the conflict being waged
now. In the contemplation OF noble
deeds of the Sixties, we OF to-day find
inspiration.
II we are to resist the mercenary
spirit that has cropped out In late years
We need the example OF bravery fur
.nished by the boys OF 'sixty-one, who,
inspired by patriotism and love OF flag,
fought; for country In the greatest OF
conflicts history records.
To-day we Of the present have re-
sponsibillties. The crises demand
greater sacrifices than ever before in
our history. Are we ready? Already
heroic deeds have been accomplished.
But there Is created danger-it is
that It is supposed that all should en-
list to fight against Spain. Every man
can be hero in the place to which
duty calls him. There are other dan
gers than those. OF the war.
The purity OF the American home
must be maintained. The high moral
character OF Dur homes has long been
known. But there are evidences OF
laIity which should be corrected-tlle
delusion OF free love, the social evil, un-
suitable marriages-these and other
evils threaten the, American home.
Wholesome discipline In the home Is
absolutely necessary TO make, the home
nursery OF virtue. He had heard
with amazement OF the social co-rup-
ton that exists IN Wheeling. made pos
sible by the laxity OF disct yline in the
home
. There are dangers to Our Industrial
and political life. He looked hopefully
Into the future. and recognized the lead
Ing position won By our country among
the nations. In our political ;llfe. things
are not as they should be- All OF us
should attempt to right these evils. The
greed for Office, political rings and par
~ bosses were referred to. and It was
alleged that public Office was too often
for private and personal ends. Law
making bodies are too often controlled
by monopolles and corporations. There
are scores OF other evils. and added 10
them Is moral apathy that cannot but
cause alarm.
Patriotism costs something, as these
veterans can attest Thousands upon
thousands killed In battle and by dis
ease, wounds that entail lifelong suf-
fering. The patriots OF to-day must
be patient men and women, willing to
sacrifice something upon the altar OF
freedom and good government. This is
not our country 20 sell or neglect; we
must protect 1t always. In such a cit!-
zensh!p Is the hope Of the great re-
public.
The religious life OF the nation was
spoken OF. He had heard It said that
the moral tone OF to-day was lower
than ever before. Criminals are null
tiplying and the American Sabbath Is
fast disappearing. The church is the
depository OF moral and religious
truth. Her mission Is to elevate and
inspire. and hold up before men the
doctrines OF Jesus Christ. Its influence
Is greater than OF all other organiza-
lions combined. The church Is the
friend and patron OF education; 1t sup
porst the needy: the church is second 10
no other organizatlon-even the 3. a.
Rim intoxicating Lessons OF patriotism
into the people. But there are multi
tudes who know nothing Of the church,
and there are many others who feel en-
indifference to the work OF the church.
Gladstone said there was but one ques-
tlon. The Gospel and It will In time
correct every evil.
Concluding, the speaker invoked his
| hearers TO stand for the free schools,
the free Bible, state separate from
church, government for the people
| by the people, not 4 government for the
| politicians and bosses.
Lucky West ,vIrsInisns. h.