The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-11
THE CAUSE FOR THANKSGIVING.
Rev. Joseph LitteII's Views of the
Great Victories.

treat VICTORIES
Rev. Joseph Littell. Phi D., of the First
U. p. Church. speaking from the text
'"rhine is the kingdom, the power and the
glory" yesterday morning, said in part:
Our President calls us to Thanksgiving
to-day for the success with which God has
crowned our arms in war with Spain on
behalf of Cuba. Let no sense of self-con-
foe make our thanksgiving an insult to
God. To rejoice over a fallen foe is not
loves gladness, but hates laughter. Jesus
wept over the self-binded suicide Jerusa-
lem which would not obey the truth. The
victory has never been to the physically
strong in battle because of that strength.
But righteousness of the cause has won the
victory which .rowned the army fighting
for it, even though that army be in physi-
mony Of history. The righteousness of
the cause is the wreath of victory, to be
worn only by those who espouse it. Read
history in that light and the cause of our
victory over Spain will be seen to be in
perfect harmony with it. Then we will not
display the insolent vanity of young
a weak, lettering, decrepit old man. We
need to consider for what it is we give
thanks to-day. What part had God in the
battle in which we are victors?
physically we were stronger than Spain
but the vital energy which produced our ma
tional growth and strength has been the
God-giveri truth of personal. civil and
religious liberty. That has been the moral
life and light of this Nation Spain has
Deen deprived OF InQL moral
light and life is essential to the physical
power of man nation 1t is the vital
energy in the growth OF human organism
Spain is perhaps the most illustrious in
stance of national moral weakness and Sc
quent physical decay of modern times. The
young American Republic is doubtless the
most conspicuous instance OF moral and
physical growth and strength. The source
of that strength is God. whose truth comes
to us through Jesus Christ, the Son of
Righteousness Just so does the earth re-
ceive natural energy and light from the
natural sun. Science recognizes the sun as
the immediate source of all natural energy
and light Men are wise and honest enough
not to claim the honor of scientific creation
of any form of natural energy. Let no
eousness by whom all moral energy is given
to men and nations. He is indeed the life
and light of men.
between the will of God and that of men
the moral energy Of truth in the conscience
of men who received it and the physical
power of men who respect the truth the
God-given rights Of men and man-imposed
slavery. And it so happens that the worlds
greatest Republic, which has grown wheat
by virtue OF her acceptance of those divine
rights, is on Gods side in the battle. Hence.
let us say with the psalmist of Gods
Israel, Not unto us, Lord; not to us. But
do thou glory take to Thine own name,
cen for Thy truth and for Thy mercy's
sake
"The mechanical perfection of American
war ships, the scientific equipment of them
with superb guns and effective ammunition
and the manning of them with the highest
Intelligence for effective warfare, is the re-
suit of the emancipation or the mind and
development of genius of men in this free
Nation. All the world wonders a the intel
llgence displayed by Americans in these
matters History offers no comparison to
the accuracy of our gunnery or it's deadly
effect. Only God-given light could enable
a naval gunner to hit a Flagstaff two miles
away three times in succession. Then. too
nation so developed and equipped in the
arts or war might be expected to have the
moral courage OF manhood to use them. The
conditions never call in vain for
Dewey Dee men at Manila Hd 5bs% s AamrsI
and Schley at Santiago were the compile
ment or the American equipment to
meet the conditions. Thanx God for
the full equipment. Spain could pur-
chase ships and guns and ammunition,
but her merciless suppression of moral and
intellectual liberty and concealnent of the
divine light under the bushel of greed left
her without men able to handle ships or
guns. Her tenaciously held tradition of
Spanish honor only inspires her soldiers to
self-sacrifice and leads to national suicide.
History shows no parallel of national in
sanity and self-destruction to that of Spain.
She dashes her head against the walls Of
the great temple of human rights Poor
Spainl But that temple is the divineIy es-
tablished structure of the kingdom of
heaven on earth, Christ the chief corner
stone, liberty, equality, fraternity and unity
the four great pillars. And the gates Of
hell shall not prevail against it, It's sta
biity is of God. The glory of it's strength
is His.
Even though some men in America NAV
seek and obtain mercenary gain, others the
qualification of their love Of honor and
praise still, beyond doubt the inspiring
motive in the heart of the Nation Is the
love of liberty and sympathy for ensIaved
human brothers in Cuba. Our faith in God
bids US acknowledge that we are our
Drothers' keepers and champion the cause
OF those who are deprived of those God
given rights which we enjoy wrOnged BY
the pride Of men. The history OF the world
has no instance such as this OF one nation
warning against another in defense OF truth
justice and righteousness on behalf of an
oppressed nation. Therefore let us thank
God for the truth and liberty which makes