Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-28
WAR SERMONS.
Local Clergymen Discuss the
Duty of the Hour.
REv.DR.coNRAD APPLAUDED
When He Insists on Loyalty to
the Flag Wherever 1t Goes.
The Nation Owes Duty to the Sufferers
in Cuba-Liberty is Trust and Re-
sponsibiIity as Well as Privilege.

THE impending national crisis" was
the subject Of Rev. DR.. Conrad's even
ing sermon at the Old South Church,
Sunday evening. A vast audience oc-
cupied every seat and the standing
room of the auditorium. Near the close
of his thrillingly patriotic address, the
audience burst forth into loud ap-
plause frequently. The text was from
the 18th verse of the SD psalm, ''Bles-
sed is that nation whose God is the
Lord DR.. Conrad said in part:
The history Of our nation is a record
of the triumphant advocacy of great
principles, We have been confronted
with successive perils which have been
faced unfiinchingly. Each great crisis
has resulted in a victory for some great
principle of right and justice. Another
crisis makes its appeal. Another test of
American citizenship seems about to be
applied. When seventy millions of peo-
pie await in breathless silence the next
dispatch from the centre of administra-
tive authority the pulpit need not apol-
ogize for manifesting an interest defn-
fte and direct by seeking to interpret
the meaning of events and applying the
doctrines of Christianity to the situa-
tion.
That the republic of the United
States has a specific mission is the
profound conviction of her Christian
citizens. The famous founders of the
republic endured persecution. They
came to inhospitable wilderness and en-
gagged to convert it into an asylum for
the oppressed, a refuge for the perse-
cuted home unshadowed by tyranny.
The hour came when the tightening
chains of old time bondage became un-
bearable. 1t was an hour of heroic
struggle and fraught with momentous
consequences to the nation and the
world. 1t was a drama of tragic real
tties. It furnished the first sure evid-
ence that the doctrine Of popular SOW
ereignty would develop virle citizen-
ship. 1t resulted in the unfurling of a
new banner whose every bar and every
stripe should proclaim liberty through
out the earth.
principles enunciated and incor-
porated into the constitution sug-
gest mission to be accom-
plished and a destiny to be fulfilled.
Liberty is not only a privilege TO be en-
5oyed, but a trust to be guarded, a re-
sponsbility to-b be discharged. Our ear
ly national life was a vigorous effort in
behalf of justice. The nation grew.
Prosperity unexampled among the ma
tions was enjoyed. Our population rap
idly increased Accumulations of wealth
aroused the envy of the world.
Another crisis came. Another inter-
rogation lay across the heavens like a.
threatening monster. On it's face it
read: care we a nation?" But the
deep principle behind this question was
another question: "ShaH there be equal
ity of right?' Does the color of the
skin determine the boundaries of
brotherhood? The issues involved were
of tremendous import. The question
had to be submitted to the arbitrament
of war, and for four years the awful
argument was continued with breath of
fire and voice of thunder. The repub-
lie was fulfilling her mission, and when
the fratricidal agony concluded the
birth of the doctrine of the equality of
right was announced.
To what purpose has our nation been
building? Have we an unfulfllled mis-
sion? Have we definite relations to the
oppressed, the overborne and the vic
Tins of barbarous cruelty? Manifestly,
no one nation can undertake the re-
Rponsibility of regulating and determin-
ting the ethical duties of other nations
toward their subjects 1t is, however,
the province of any nation to interest
herself In the we'll being of those who
are made the victims of indescribable
cruelty.
Well may we shrink from any inter
probation of national responsibility
which will lead to war, We would fain
believe that the day OF sanguinary
strife had passed. The horrors and hell
OF war may well cause the Stoutest heart
TO shudder. Its devastations, its destruc-
tions, its trail of unutterable agony,
make sane men dread it as they would
dread a pestilence. That it is calami-
ty, none can deny That every means
consistent with honor and right should
be exhausted before an appeal to the
sword, is not to be questioned. The rea-
sons must be unanSWerable which urge
to war. Ours is a peace-loving nation.
Our history is an evidence that we are
ready to endure injustices and suffer
hardships rather than unsheatE the
sword. Our nation Is not given to in
reference. She has been accustomed to
mind her own business. She does not
obtrude her political opinion upon others
of contrary political faith. She has not
sought aggrandizement by conquest.
She is not given to revenge or resent
Qlent. But she has proven herself fear
less when face to face with the gravest
duty. If duty requires the arbitrament
of the sword then she stands for con-
viction and principle, and her serried
ranks will answer the challenge of injus-
tice and oppression. What can justify
war at any time? Self-preservation
THE protection of principles basal in ma
tional life. The defense of rights and
liberties. The interests OF humanity.
1t Is to be deplored, 1t is never JUS
tifiable for any commercial reason. Oc-
casionally one hears the remark: "I
hope we will have war. 1t will put
money into circulation and improve
times" Such pusillanimity is despi-
cable. A man who is willing to fill his
purse at the cost of the woe Of others,
has not the first conception of true citi-
Kenship and knows not the meaning of
true patriotism. On the other hand,
when great principles are at stake and
supremely important issues are involved,
no commercial reasons should weigh in
the decisions Of state. Gold weighs
nothing against life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness"
Our nation is~confronted by a situa-
tion alarming, If not appalling. The
gravity Of the issues involved in cues
tions of state can hardly be grasped by
any The anxiety is intense. Let us
look at the facts. A people living al
most in the shadow of our national in
stitutions have for years suffered the
most intolerant requlsition. They have
been kept in financial bondage through
taxation. They have been kept in ig-
norance through poverty and a per-
niciouS political system. The victims of
injustice and cruelty, they endured
with groaning and in helplessness. AL
most unarmed, yet conscious Of the aw-
ful injustices endured, they determined
to break off the chains of oppression or
die on the field lighting for the rights
no pacific means would secure them.
Then followed the Intellectual attempts
of Spain to suppress the revolution.
When methods Of civilized warfare were
unavailing, then came man In whom