Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-06-03
MEMORIAL EXERCISES.
The People of Custer Pay Tribute to the
Nations Dead.

Army for the appropriate observance OF
Memorial Day drew out an audience
that filled the opera house to its fullest
capacity. The exercises were very in
teresting and appropriate. The men,
orial Sermon was preached Sunday, May
2Sth, by Rev. w. III. Parsons, pastor of
the First M. L. church, in the opera
house at IL a. m. from Text in A Psalm,
7 Vers, and first Claus. Thou hast
Saved us from our Enemies"
SYNOPSIS OF SERMON.
War is much more in its import than
a test of power, for by it great principles
are advanced and perpleXiug problems
are solved for the general good OF man.
kind. Good men from time immemori-
al have at times taken part in war. In
1918, b. g., Abraham sought to recover
his nephew Lot from the hands of the
conquering King at the battle of the
| Plains, and by the help of God succeed
ed. The scene and occasion of our text
was the revolt of Absalom b. T.. 1923,
against his Father David. Unlawful
revolt always brings bitterness and
hardship. This is especially true whe n
strong affinities exist. In our revolu-
tionary war with England there was
much prolonged bitterness because Of
the oneness OF origin and blood, but vic
tory crowned the effort of our oppressed
| people. 1t could not be otherwise for
God was on the side of right, which was
self evident from the fact that this coun-
try was neither able nor ready for such
conflict in the light ofhumau judgment
| but the fact of the Divine hand, leading
and the Almighty arm sustaining our
fathers In the manly endeayor to throw
off the yoke of oppression. thereby max
| ing possible condition for man to vim
dicate his Divine origin of capacity by
the Grace of God to govern himself by
stepping out and up on to a higher
plain. Thus with true liberty of power
| both mind and heart, and clearer
view of personal responsibility, God
enabled the Child of Providence to solve
| the problem which had so greatly per-
| picked Europe for centuries, namely
self government of the people, by the
people, for the people. 1t is very neces-
| sary to implant and retain in memory
| knowledge Of these things in order to
keep alive loyal patriotism and true
gratitude for the noble deeds of our
| fathers. So many forget, and others
never knew the trials and triumphs of
this nations past history. Both men
and nations have their red sea to cross
at some time in their history. We had
ours, but not without faithful guide as
with the chosen people of old. All law
full wars have Divine presence, care,
and leadership. General Grant was
once asked by Bishop Vincent if his
plans in war ever failed. Yes, answer
ed the General, many times, but the
substitute was always better. BY this
we of the north felt that God was on our
side. Washington Gardner of Albion,
Michigan, (secretary of state) told in my
presence that at the battle of Lookout
Mountain small brush sticks no thicker
then his thumb were trimmed down all
among the men, but the men were not
hurt. Thus by preservation from time
to time il was very plain to see which
side Justice was on. Let each adult
citizen read prayerfully Exodus IA
Chapter and II Vers, The Lord shall
fight tor u.s." not shot, shell, or bayonet,
but business of the cause and the Divine
presence aiding and honoring our sol
dier boys made victory sure success
even on the very start. We need then
to be very careful and not bank to much
on horses, flesh and steel. What hope,
what strength in the blessed thought,
Jehovah at the head Of our army of true
men in humane and just cause. only
victory could result from such condi
tions. Again read thoughtfully 2nd
Chronicler Goth Chapter and 10 Vers.
"The battle is not yours, but Gods" that
which is won US By blood is very
sacred trust. Our country and flag were
thus born. Courage in battle is Gods
gift, to be ready for duty is mans part
1t is very plain to the student Of the
history Of this country that we were
never ready for war on the start either
by plan or training, hence it is plain to
see from what source came our help.
thoughts, especially in times OF
Not so much see what they have done,
the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ, that nation alone is safe that
drills, trains, and plans in harmony with
Gods civilization. Think of the great
people that have faded and perlshed
from position of power as penalty for
counting God out of their plans, and tor
trusting alone in the arm of flesh. There
is woe pronounced on such. Please
read Isaiah 3lst Chapter and lst Vers,
"Woe to them that 60 down TO Egypt for
help" Where is ancient Rome. Babylon,
Egypt, and poor distracted China today?
The former are gone from among the
great powers, and the latter is as de-
2ayed fruit and faded flower God
was not sought, ror His aid counted on
in their plans, no way open to them but
to droop and die. Read carefully Isaiah
81 Chapter and 4 Vers. "Who would
set the briers and thorns against me in
battle, l would go through them,
would burn them together" What folly
to fight againt God and Justice. 1t will
pay all to take warning in time. AS
with two men in war, so with nations,
Tor one to rise the other of necessity
must fall. Then to he saved from our
enemies we must as q people keep close
to our Fathers God in the night and in
the day of our history, for no man or
body of men could have planed or exc
cuted any one of our wars. When told
of his great command Washington wept,
Lincoln prayed in his Office by the side
of the Sainted Bishop Simpson. Presi-
dent Mckinley in the trying hours of
our nations need. true to the spirit of
the fathers undertook humanity's cause,
and with faith in God he moved forward
in the line of duty. And while some
were planning and speaking evil, he by
his conduct taught anew the example of
the heroes of the past. Again ask you
to read Isaiah 26 Chapter and Vers,
Trust in the Lord forever; for in the
Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.
What foundation for the heart to rest
upon. No wonder our national faith
grows bold in poor humanity's cause,
and our boys more and more have
crowded forward by past results as seen
in our countrys history. The policy of