The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-04
BATTLE LIKE GoDLY MEN.
Rev. L.. s. hnOtts's Advice to Company
HI, Second Regiment.

HI, second hcsAmCAA'
Company H, Second Regiment, I. N. G.'
was, by invitation, the guest Of Rev. l.. D.
Knots, at Grace M. e. Church, yesterday
morning On this occasion the pastor
touching on the war crisis made his sermon
one Of special interest to his military near
ers. The text of his discourse was Prov
xiv, "a, righteousness exalteth natlon'
and his subject, National Life"
Beginning his sermon, he said: "This is
crisis in national history; we are now max
ing history in common with other nations
to-day" Continuing, he said in substance
that while England and Germany were
gradually nearing the danger point in their
affairs in China, our own dove of peace
the white squadron-was rapidly sailing over
southern waters and assuming the plumage
of war; Touching ON our relations with
Spain, he said that in the efforts to place
Cuba in the association and sisterhood of
republics the Nation was brought face to
face with war with Spain. While short
time ago the American people were arraign-
ing European countries for not succoring
the suffering Armenians, all Europe now
demands that this Nation succor Cuba. All
America demands that Cuba be free and
Spain driven from the island. To-day the
United States is what she never was before
united In this emergency, undivided, as one
man standing for liberty. Concerning the
strength of the Republic, Mr.. Knots said:
when we hear it said that history re-
peats itself, and that the nation that is born
must die, when we look at the republics
that have died, 1T would seem that in this
case we must repeat history, and If not,
what shall we base our hope for sur
Can it be that good laws are a guarantee
Nf fbar - &c Mott a,,d
Greece-great republics-had good laws, as
did the Hebrew republic, but they persisted
We say that we have patriotism and states
manship, and boast of our arts, sciences and
poetry. They had as much, or more, but
they persisted. If 1t lies in wealth and ter
ritory and great armies, they had all these
Egypt was rich in language, art and philos-
ophy. The pyramids and Inscriptions on
their buildings all speak of the glory of that
ancient nation but she faded away. We
Yes. We have something more"
Mr.. Knots then proceeded to show. at
great length, how the one Deity of our
American civilization stimulated the finer
feelings in man and raised him above the
level of the ancient nations, who worshiped,
like Egypt, almost every element Of force
while they gloriied their statesmen and
warriors "We' he said, "cause our states
men and heroes to live in our hearts and
on the pages of history, but the thing which
we possess more than ancient people is a
heart quickened with sense of response
bility to God. We are in touch with Christ,
man and thus enlightens us. Then, again,
we have something less than they had.
Greece, in her wars slew her prisoners or
led them in chains to be sold into the vilest
slavery, thus debasing the highest character
and crushing tbs proudest spirits without
regard to the rights OF man. Rome, boast
ing Of liberty, carried away Greek citizens,
and subjected men and women of the high
est type to the lowest degradation, thus
showing that art and learning was not suffi-
cient to curb passion. Even in Christian
countries where slavery existed the public
conscience has been quickened by the goS-
pei so that it is now eradicated.'
He then dwelt on the life and influence
of Queen Victoria for good, not only in her
own country, but through her offspring,
reared amid Christian surroundings, in
nearly every capital of Europe. God blesses
the country that is cody, said he, and while
this country remains God-fearing 1t will en-
dure as long as the world exists He then
bestowed a glowing tribute to Clara Barton
and her Red Cross band, saying that by
their kindly and God-serving lives they had
won q place in the courts of the entire
world greater in influence than any other
that ever existed. Their sinking of self for
humanity had touched the hearts of all ma
tions, of all religions and all creeds. In
closing he spoke of his own experiences in
the late war, and said that the nearing war
crisis and the presence of those before him
who might be called at any time into action
aroused again his old fire of patriotism, and
he urged them ALL il the occasion offered,
to battle like godly men, depending an
all-rnercjful God, who would uphold them in
their hours of trial and crown their efforts
with success.