The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-25


by the pastor, Rev. j. L. sooy, D. D.
His theme was: ''The Present Crisis,
and Our Evident Duty" and bore on
the var question. In brief, DR.. sooyt
argued that In certain cases wasls insti-
fable. a fact true Of the present crisis,
and 1t was the duty OF Christians to
offer prayers for this nations success.
The church choir sang appropriate
selections, combining to make the SER
Vices essentially patriotic.
In times like these, began Dr., Sooy.
the public good demands that the pull
pit be not silent. The press. by Its
carefully prepared editorials, helps to
shape public opinion: and In like man
ner the pulpit should be heard. 1t is not
argued that the pulpit should meddle
in public policies, but only in a matter
OF moment such as now confronts the
American people. DR.. sooy' said he had
not expected to live to see another a
He never expected 10 see occasion go
SO far, as called for war. in this age OF
arbitration. But war had come, and he
did not think It would be a war of a
few days-it e months, at least.
That war Is justiflable, DR.. Sooy had
no fear OF asserting from the pulpit. In
the majority OF Instances. 1t may not
have been, but there are times when It
Is. A sword is not a plarthing, an en-
blem to be displayed In sparades. 1t has
It's use when nations go TO war, and
properly so when the nation is a God
fearing one. The pending struggle be-
tween the United States and Spain is q
struggle OF the part of this nation on
behalf OF humanity. Spain doesn't rec
ognize humanity and tramples It down:
the United States does recognize 1t and
seeks to uplift humanity. as represent
ed by the Cuban people.
DR.. Sooy alluded to the indignation
aroused in the hearts OF the Christian
world at the Armenian m~assacres. and
the denunciatlons hurled against the
Turk. yet while this was going on. a
people living but a few hundred miles
from the American coast vas suffering
oppression and various forms of cruel
ty. For some time the speaker had
been an ardent believer In Cuba's free
dom, and since he had come 10 UNDER
stand the Cuban question fuller, 1t had
been his constant prayer that every
blow for struggling Cuba might strike
home In the heart Of Spain. Now. the
United States steps over the breach to
aid the island, and It was starting on a
just, a righteous war.
1t Is. Gods var in the sense OF being
In perfect accordance with the moral OF
His divine administration. On the one
side Is a band OF assassins. and avar-
icious, attempting 10 crush out every
atom of civil and religious liberty, on
the other hand is a band seeking to
push back the assassin and lift up to
breathe the pure air of freedom, a sur
fering people. This Is a war in which
every true, devout Christian can pray
earnestly. This is a Christian nation;
the nations interests have always been
committed to God. and could never
have existed otherwise Since the foot
of Christopher Columbus touched the
new world this country has been bound
ed on all sides by God. Then came the
Huguenots, William Penn. the Puri-
tans, and other religious bodies. There
was prayer atyValler Forge. There was
prayer at South Mountain. and at Get
tysburg. oh" said DR.. Sooy. there Is
everything TO show the nations trust
In God"
Further In his discourse, In urging
the need OF prayer for this country's
success in war, DR.. Sooy gave illustra-,
tons Of the prayers of people In Luth-
er's time, and especially those OF the
English people at the threatened attack
CT the Spanish Armada. The English
people prayed to their God. and the de-
stroyinG angel came down. The I'm
vincible Armada" was cast about by the
winds and waves, and the sea-girt Isle
was saved from a power which intend
ed 10 force it back to the religion 1t had
been abjured. Man proposes. but God
dlsposes," God has heard the prayers
OF a Christian people, and In going TO
wal the people have a right to pray to
the King OF Kings for success.
No country can afford TO 20 into war.
IL the heat OF passion. said DR.. Sooy,
and he read an extract of Senator
Hoar's speech. which counseled calm
ness. and a determination devoid of
passion. There must be 10 hatred. no
determination for revenge; though with
reference TO revenge. Dr.. Sooy took in
10 account the Maine disaster and said
he was glad that the chief executive,
despite the tempting cry, Remember
the Maine" had not sought to stir up
rcvengeful feelings or sought 10 make
the war a war OF revenge.
And IL was q grand spectacle the
country Is presenting, continued DR..
Sooy. TO sec; Fitzhush Lee, q Confed-
crate general. and the nephew Of Grant,
as brlgadier generals In a war TO help
Cuba. arouses patriotism that thrills
every human fibre. DR.. Sooy referred TO
John Wanamaker's offer. The ex-post-
master general offered TO pay the wages
of his employees who volunteered. This
was a patriotic offer, n though there
Is always a poodle 10 whine, q cur to
snarl that Wanamaker was trying to
boom his political aspirations, or his
business interests. there can't be too
many Wanamakers. ITO me-" said he,
II can think of no better patriot. There
Is patriotism unlimited In this just war,
and I wish that Il would so get into
our board OF education that the prln-
clpal of one OF our schools could not
order his pupils to take of the little
strips OF red. white and blue they
wore"
In his conclusion he paid eloquent
tribute to President Mckinley, whose
course has been commended by all
Americans, without regard to political
difference. Prayer was asked for the
nations executive. and for the success
OF the nations forces.
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