The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-20

Spain from this hemisphere and the
overthrow of that government, which
will soon drop to pieces if it does not
go down under bo~mbardment of in
suited nations.
There was danger that the long con-
tinued oppression OF our neighbors in
Cuba might be continued from genera
ton without sufficient protest on our
part and the pronounced eXecration of
people on both sides of the Atlantic,
but that bursting volcano of destruc-
ton in the harbor of Havana fired the
nation and shocked the whole civilized
world. All nations will learn that such
ar act cannot be repeated without the
anathema of all Christendom. AS indi-
vidual criminals must be punished for
the public good, and we have for them
courts of oyer and terminer and penl-
tentiaries and electric chairs and hang
mans gallOws, SO governments com
hitting high crimes against God and
humanity must be ScOurged and hung
up for the worlds indignation. When
in Spanish waters our batleship, look
ing after our commercial interests and
intending nothing but quietude, was
hurled into demolition and the men on
board, without time to utter one word
of prayer, were dashed into the eternal
world, the doom of the reigning house
of Spain was pronounced in tones
louder than the thunder which that
night rolled over the sea.
GOD IS WITH US.
Another alienation is the fact that
We have a roc to go to in behalf of all
those of our country1nen who may be
in especial exposure at the front, for We
| must admit the perils. 1t is no trif1ing
thing for 100, 900 young men to be put
outside of home restraints and some
times into evil cOmpanionship. Many
of the brave of the earth are not the
/ good of the earth. To be III the same
tent with those who have no regard
for God or home, to hear their holy
| religion sometimes Slurred at, to be
| placed under influences calculated to
make one reckless, to have no Sabbath
! except such Sabbath as in most en-
| campments o to no Sabbath at
| all, to go out from homes where all
sanitary laws are observed into sur
~rOundingS where questions of health
are never discussed, to Invade chimes
! where pestilence holds possession, to
I make long marches under clustering
!. skies, to stand on deck and in the fields
l under fire at the mercy of shot and
! shell-we must admit that those thus
| exposed need especial garland to the
omnipresent God We have a right to
| commend them and will commend
| them. Postal communication may he
| interrupted and letters started from
| camps or homes may not arrive at the
| right destination, but, however far
| away our loved ones may be from US
and however wide n deep the seas
| that separate us, we may hold com
| munication with tlem via the throne
| Of God.
A shipWrecked sailor was found float
ing on a raft rear the coas of Califor-
mia. While in hospital he told his ex-
perience and said that he had a COM
paniOn on the same raft for some time.
While that companion was dying of
| thirst he said to him, George, wher
| are o going?" and the dying sailor
said, Il hope ] am going to God" IF
you do" said the rescued sailor, will
you ask him to send some -Water?"
After the death of his companion, the
survivor said, re rain came in torrents
and Stacked his thirst and kept him
| alive until he was taken to safety.
| The survivor always thought it was in
answer to the message he had sent to
heaven asking for water. Thank God
we may have direct and instantaneous
| communication with the Lord Almighty
through Jesus Christ, his only begotten
Son, and in that faith we may secure
the rescue of our imperiled kindred. Is
not that a mighty alienation?
PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY.
Until this conflict is ended let us be
much in prayer for our beloved coun-
try. Do not let us depend upon the
friendship of foreign nations. Our hope
is in God. Out Of every misfortune he
has brought this nation to =. better
moral AND financial condition, and so
let LIS pray that he will lift is out Of
this valley of trouble unto a higher
mountain OF blessing.
1t is a mystery that just as this coun-
try was recovering from a dong season
Of hard times so many OF our industries
should now be halted; hat business
men who thought they could see their
way to pay their debts and build up
more prosperous enterprises and endow
their homes with more advantages
Shrould have to halt and wait until the
perfidiOus oppressor Of Cuba shall be
turned back. But individual and ma
tiOnal life is always clothed with mys-
teries, n we may make ourselves
miserable by stabbing ourselves with
sharp Interrogation points and plying
the everlasting questions of Why
and "How?" and "What?" and
"When?" While We must of course try