Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-25

Rev. j. L. Sooy, pastor of Fourth
Street NJ E. Church, delivered a patri-
otto sermon last evening to a large
audience. who seemed to heartily APP
prove the sentiments expressed. Rev.
DR.. Sooy said that he regarded the pull
pit had no right to interfere in mere
questions or policy, but when great
moral principles were involved, the pull
pit, as well as the press, had duty to
perform and in times like this it is rec
ognized that the pulpit should not be
silent on the question of war.
He said that he had never believed
that he would live to see the time when
this Christian people should engage
again in warfare, but such a time had
come, and he did not believe that it
would be war of days or weeks, nor
did he think the government at Wash
ington expected it to end shortly. The
question was asked-is war always
wrong, is it ever justified? In the
majority Of wars heretofore both sides
have been wrong, and it will not be
questioned that in all wars that one
side or the other was wrong.
Il do not hesitate to say that it is
right to go to war There is a differ
ence between personal vengeance and
the vengeance of God 1t seems that
God has taken the sword out Of the
hands of individuals and put it in the
hands of his recognized eXecutioners-
the United States government. That
sword should be used with patience
and in punishment of the cruelty,
bloodshed and anarchy that Spain has
waged in Cuba. Our reasons for war
are moral, are political in the noblest
sense" + "A little while ago
all Christendom was innamed by the
barbarities in Armenia, yet within a
hundred miles of our shores are bar
barities and cruelties which the Turk
has barely given us a parallel"
American people have become SO ex-
cited and indignant that they cannot
permit it to continue The history of
Cuba for a generation has been a strug-
gle against oppression and for a better
manhood. May every blow that is
struck for Cuba go home. This is a
war in which one can sincerely make
an appeal to the great Ruler of the
universe. I will never shout "My
country, right or wrong" but the mer-
its of this contest determine that our
cause is just and that this government
is appointed divine executioner In
this sense l believe this war is God S
war. On one side | see band of
blood-thirsty conspirators seeking to
crush out the last spark of religious
and civil liberty in Cuba, and on the
other side l see popular government
taking up arms to defeat that nefarious
scheme and save humanity. ! believe
that this war is one in which every
Christian can conscientiously pray for
the triumphs of American arms
Rev. DR.. Sooy spoke at some length
on the importance of American people
appealing for divine guidance and as
sistance in the present struggle. He
said we should not be actuated by
motives Of revenge. He recognized the
force of the call of Remember the
Maine but thought the government
had acted wisely in keeping this ques-
ton in the background. DR.. Sooy
closed with high tribute of praise to
the character and policy of
President Mckinley and predict
ed that if Mckinley would
hold on as he had done. his name
would be in the mouths Of our children
and our children's children in years to
come.