The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-21
HERoD AND JOHN: THE BAPTIST.
DIR. BIanchard's Sermon at Congress
Square Church.


Rev. DR.. Blanchard preached sermon
in Congress Square church yesterday
morning in which he considered the ques-
ton of war. The theme was: "The Man
whose conscience gave him fear and pain
and the Man whose conscience gave him
joy and power. Herod the tetrarch, and
John the Baptist"
After marking the sharp contrast be-
tween the king and preacher, the man
with fine clothing and the prophet with
his sheep skin, the man of the palace and
the-ma of, the desert. DR.. Blanchard
gave picture of John standing before
Herod-of the banquet-of the beheading.
He then dwelt at length on the lessons of
the dramatic story. The first is the
wickedness of keeping foolish promise.
Herod was sorry for his oath but fear of
wife and mistaken pride made him I'M
willing to recall it. So men today often
foolishly, wickedly persist in keeping
wicked promises.
The second is the influence OF woman
for evil Herodias use her power to &C
complish her revenge. The head of the
hated denouncer of her sin was given her.
History shows how often womsn have
thus led men to sip. Let their example
warn and save. Let women use influence
to secure the good. John Ruskiu said II
all the women in England would wear
black when war was declared, there
would be no war. Many habit, custom,
opinion would be changed If wives.
va in
f1uence men to noble living. The third
lesson is the duty of gratitude to God for
our freedom under constitutional govern
nent
Herod Is only one example OF unlimited
power. Many king has plunged his
people into war for the sake of fame or
increase of territory. Well may great men
wonder at the wisdom OF the men who
gave us our constitution with its checks
and balances. We do not prize our free
dom given by our constitution as we
ought.
The fourth lesson is the eternal need Of
the rebukers of sin. John denounced
wtckedness in high places. So should
preachers today. Wealth, fame, brilliant
intellect should not save man from con-
domination. In Maine, in the whole
country, the preacher of Righteousness
should denounce sin in high places. John
denounced an unholy war. So should
preachers everywhere today. There are
wars that are holy. But our country has
had one great unholy Wharf.-The war with
Mexico. General Grant called it ONE OF
the wickedest the world ever saw. Only
a war for defense can be justified. There
may be need to defend honor. But pas
s1ons often make mistakes. The path of
peace may be the path of honor.
He had been asked to preach in favor of
war against Spain. He could not do so.
He could we'll understand the horror
which Cuba produces in noble minds.
Senator Proctor's speech may well stir
our souls. But he stood by the side of the
Speaker of the House of Representatives
and the other members Of Congress from
Maine in their present attitude toward S
the Cuban question. No wonder. indeed,
that men wish to grasp the sword. But
they need to remember General Sherman's
words: "War is hell.'' We must have
patience with Spain. Its rulers wish for
peace as strongly as does our own govern
ment. The ignorant passionate multitude
may not submit to reason. Let us trust
our noble President. Like his great i'm
mediate predecessor in his high office, he
feels solemnly his great responsibility to
God and the nation. The week may be
crucial one in the history of our country.
If the report of the court at Key West
shall be that the explosion which de-
stroyed the Maine was from the outside.
storm Of wrath will sweep oyer our
land. Let us be calm. 1t does not follow
that Spanish officials had anything to do
with the explosion. Let the American
people, children of our free schools, be-
heTers in the fetherhood of God and the
brotherhood of man, be patient, and
thoughtful, and just. Let not passion
have sway over Judgment. Let our
prayers arise, then, for our President in
whose hands such tremendous power is
placed. Let them arise for all who shall
counsel him. May it be for him that
never in the future shall his action and
word today make his conscience give him
fear and paint May it be for the Ameri-
can people SO to act In this day of trial
that In the years to come it's conscience
oh a II ryfvo ~ iov and roxyar