The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-28
For COuntrV's
Sake.
ME MORTAL SERVICE
By Rev, S. B. Meeser to
Soldier and Sailor Dead,

There were only a handful of people
at the First Baptist Church yesterday
morning, and the pastor, Rev. Spen-
Ger B. Meeser, was held up by the sex
ton on account of his appearance. AS
soon as the reverend gentleman spoke,
however, his identity was established,
and there was no further trouble
The memorial sermon for the soldier
and sailor dead was not delivered. A
prayer meeting was held. The sermon
that was to have been preached has
been given to The Spy, and is printed
below. 1t is as follows
There is a patriotism of war ana a
patriotism of peace When the honor
or political integrity of our land is
threatened from without. and war sum
mons men to her defense there is a love
of country which inspires men to en-
list in army and navy and serve in the
battle and march, to protect the land
they love.
But when, however. the elements of
danger are from within. the same pat
riotism demands a defense of the high
aims Of honor, and a perpetuaton Of
the good and noble things which our
forefathers and brethren have won in
~ pa =. No .oSsil ol wal may souna
1,,5 AZ ~ Gu e"u oI intent pe
1T, "a ms q 9t'iisl d loe' buI llle
&c 'ie,oii - ipS e py Interhal enc
airos =" ~ sell lL 10"
When these conditions exist there is
still a place for all the fprVor of "A
- r" u oti9lli' anu lAI9 IL the patIloI-
asili o. peace. Ailohg many thlngs
mlllCil ..llS pdtrIo ISM ilCiudes' sGch as
s, si,lT9 ,Is MISS me ueIehse OF the
irahchlse' ana all the free institutions
Vi .ite Lanu' mere are three duties
M iilO i d pi'Tol especI{tlIy appropriate az
LIS ii1 ~. pe- at,se tHey are the due OF
~. 2"luiei NJ Saiiui ueau OF the pres
i. ~ d rue patilotlsm to honorably
'.eIil"eI tHose whose llNes We're given
~ wal ana tne service OF their coun-
ti9' ne Solulef glory is the sol
,'lsl > Jus: Jusl reward; me applause and
lleIlua tIoIl Oh ms teIIoWmen are his
~ d - pelIor rlght. Nothing material
On ge IquoIapiy olIered to him in its
ne gave som 5Vhlng To ms coun-
- IlleIl ne ehllsCeq' Wnlch no money
an JuS' anu Nhlch, when 1t is lost
IL III Gatlle' no treasure can buy back
M IIs' But ne mas brought something
more more ValuaDle to his country and
,lloIS Important Tor the success of the
pattle' ne mas given courage, intellf-
genee and devotion
me IVes Of craven men, of stupid
LleH' Oh mere hlrelings. are not worth
tle4I ulonthiN pay; but the lives of
brave, bright men, who love their home
Iaild' can never be paid for, and are
o .,i,. priFeIesSi worth; But the volunteer
10 Fnrrfs.
soldier, MS hf9ral influence. his man
hood, his personal worth: and these
nave no hitting reward, save in the
gratitude and honorable esteem of his
1elloWmen.
II is right that we should regard his
motive It is something different from
nfli regulations and SIS month 1t
IS desire to do noble and true things,
ana as Carlyle says, To vindicate
himself under Gods heaven as a 60
made man." that the soldier takes him.
self to war. Something nobler thar
mere hope of notoriety or the wages NJ
hireling inspires him. He has hi,
own sense Of manly conduct to realize
and the nobler qualities of COURAGE an,
self-sacrifice to prove as his own 7,
the storm and crash of battle he ua1
forget everything but the shame of re-
treat, or the failure of courage. ~, h,
may fight in anger and hatred 90
very demon of war; but the time who
his true motives were tested ANA hi
conduct was tried. was when in ~
calm of the home. he deiibera lei
chose to take the risks of war ana ~
perils of battle for the sake If RI
higher ideals of his country.
No sane man ascribes n noo,. mott.
to true soldier. He does NOT tbin
that small gains can lead him ia me
for the tests of war to the nrrsuits r
peace; nor does he imaeine mar
monthly wage can nav him far III
sacrifices. None but those who ,veT
too craven in soul TO dare tbe re,,ils =
a soldiers life. can be mean enough +
ascribe a low purnosa to the soidie
himself. or to belittle the vaIor an
success which he has von
An honorable memory Is tbarafo,
the soldiers 5ue. ond 10 i1,st ,.et ~
will refuse it. nor can a pyoTfbv neonI
withhold IT,
Even hose poor sailnrs slain in
time of peace. in that sad ,,nevnIaina
event of last February ,,,bdn ~
good shin Maine was blown 10 r,,i,
even these have clai,oe 70 an, ,,,,.,I 49,
ual gratitude In the c,,,.,.ant ria,1ty,,.
Capt. Sigsbee begins Inc acco,,,1+ ~
the scenes of thar night Via, bo,,
less. sIeepine men were sIatn r,,itt,di
even an onpor+upi+,, h, NJ, 81, 1870
NOT helm feeling as raa5 tf ~