Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-05-29
MeMoR,AL DAY AT PARIS.


Memorial Sunday Was observed a
usual, with services ut 2 80 r. n. at thu
South Paris Methodist church. About
forty members Of wm. X. kimball Post
G.. A. r., and the Relief Corps, attended
In body.
Music was furnished by the choir Of
the church, with solo by Miss McArdle
with violin obligato by Mr.. Gerrish.
Rev. DR.. Brooks assisted 10 conduct
ing the service. The sermon was by
Rev. A. w. Pottle, pastor Of the church,
and Ia summarized a. follows:
ii Tim.a 81 have fought the good fight"
Ii becomes my duty and privilege on
this occasion to address those, who for
these many years have enjoyed the hon
orsble distinction Of being 10 the time
past our nations defenders-the men,
bers Of the Grand Army OF the Republic.
10 the dark days of our nations history
= generation ago you nobly and promptly
responded to your eountry's call.
In the process Of time victory perched
upon your banners. Peace was restored,
and you returned to your homes and
peaceful pursuits. And now as the
annual occasion has come to commemo-
rate the deeds aud valor Of your fallen
comrades and bedeck their graves with
the beautiful flowers, the thoughts OF
this great people are turned toward you
and your former deeds OF bravery and
patriotism.
But 1t Is not my office to speak to you
Its significance and results. address
you concerning another warfsre-a
moral confiict-''the good fight OF faith"
In this warfare we have to contend with
principalities and powers-for truth and
righteousness. Here our weapons are
not carnsl, vet mighty to the destruc-
ton OF evils-the strongbolds Of wrong.
We are living amid the scenes Of
great conflict. Life is warfare. The
battle Is now going on. Life In all Its
phases IL a bsttleleld-our bodies the
battlefield between health and sickness,
strength and weakness; our souls,
where right and wrong, vice and virtue,
light and darkness contend. The out
come depends upon the sides we take.
We must face certain tests TO purpose
and character. Those great principles
and ends essential to our welfare must
be eontended for. As IL IL with individ-
usls, so IL Is with nations. Every good
thing seems TO have its enemy.
In our day we have to contend with
gross moral evils-intemperance In all
its varied forms and degrees; Sabbath
dissertation, irreligiop; dishonesty and
overreaching; violations Of the seventh
and social impurity; the
hydra headed evil OF seldshness and
covetousness; human weakness and
human meanness. In life's conflict We
have TO contend for the conquest Of sell.
We read that "better Is he that rul.th
his own spirit than he that taketh q
city" But alas some who were brave
and upflinching on the battlefield OF their
quail sud fee on the moral bat
tlefield Of life. But God will help the
weakest.
As we 90 forth from this service, let
Us be true IN our couhtry-aud true 10
Him whose we are and should serve, and
so fight the good fight of faith and finish
our course that we, like st. Paul. may
win the crown OF life, reserved for all
who love Hin whose bounty and care
has brought us to the present hour.
On Wednesday, Memorial Day, the
decorating OF graves will be done In the
forenoon. The members OF the post will |
assemble at their hall at 10 o'clock, and
proceed 10 decorate the graves In River |
side Cemetery. A dinner will be served |
oy the relief corps In the hall, to all
veterans.
The exercises Of the day will open In
New Hall at l 80 2. NJ. Address by Hon. |
II. II. Burbank OF Ssco. Possibly q
campfire may be arranged for the even
ng.