The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-05-28
! IH[ DEAD HEROES REMEMBERED
Memorial Services at the Presbyterian
Church. Rev, e. NJ Holmes Deliv>
ers an Excellent Sermon. &c :.

the nation OF the continuous service OF
it's slain citizens. The figures tell us
that nearly 81 900 men of the Union
army were killed in action. To this
must be added more than $4,000 men
who died from wounds received in bat
tie: to this again must be added the
more than 1S3, 900 who died from dis
ease. We may obtain some impression
of the appalling carnage of few hours
of furious battle when we find that in
nine of the greatest conflicts of the
war more than one third of the total of
81 900 We're killed: and still more, when
we concentrate our attention upon the
experience OF single regiment. The
First Minnesota on the field of Gettys-
burg. ordered.to make charge did so
in gallant form, but in few minutes
of time more than three-fourths of
their number fell. 1t was war, terrible
war, where whole hecatombs were
brought to the altar of sacrifice,
The discipline of the patriot soldier
is also seen in the readiness with
which the survivors of many battles
resumed the industries of peace at the
close of the war. This might not have
been so noticeable were it not that
some of the wise people of Europe pre-
dicted serious trouble before so large a
number of discharged soldiers could be
assimilated with the remainder of the
population. But they did not know the
men nor the atmosphere in which they
were reared, ncr the motives with
which they exchanged the pursuits of
industry for the dangers and hardships
as we'll as the glory of the soldier.
From learning subordination of self
to the will of another in the high in
terest of country why should the sol
dier not pass to the legitimate sequence
of maintaining mastery Of himself for
all duties of life? If this be not at
tempted at all, then the prediction be-
fore mentioned would be properly
based. But if the discipline of the sol
dler be extended to the common duties
of daily life, it is to exemplify high
qualities of citizenship and worthily to
serve ones day and generation. If q
man has been good soldier in defense
of lofty principles, if he has contribute
ed to victories of unfading luster in de.
tense of his country, he can readily
demonstrate the possession of sterling
qualities of character and manhood
They may be summed up as fidelity tt
, duty, This means steadfast adherence
to convictions of right: untlinching en-
durance, true moral courage, loyalty
to high moral principle, all in the face
of unfriendly sentiment and adversity
itself. Yea, it prompts the recognition
of the claims of God upon his service
and love.
| 1t is the carrying over into the realm
of faith of this characteristic of promp
recognition of instant duty and its i'm,
mediate performance that gives to tn,
incident of the centurion its particular
charm. Il am man set under author
lty. Over me are superior officers an(
finally the great emperor himself HI
has but to utter command from hi
throne and its effect is felt to the ut
most bound of the empire. | also hav,
under me soldiers. Anyasdirection
give is forthwith obeyed. Thou ar
ruler over forces and influences beyont
command of emperor and centurion an,
which deeply affect the most precious
human interests. Speak the word ant
it shall be done.'' A superb example
OF soldierly directness of faith in tn,
living Christ. Many soldier brough
from the war characteristics of tn
service and drill of army life that man
ifested themselves in bearing, action
and speech. There is promptness
precision, ard directness suggestive o
the execution of a command, the aim
+. ing at mark or the performance O
some other military duty A wealth O
this influence has undoubtedly beel
contributed to our latter day life. An,
many soldier has carried into the lif
of religious faith the same character
istics OF promptness. directness an,
readiness of obedience. They ar
among the number of whom Napoleo
spoke when he was living his last lone
| ly days in the island of ST Helena
Alexander, Caesar: Charlemagne an,
myself, said he, have founded grea
empires. But on what did the crea
tion of their genius rest? Upon force
Jesus alone founded his empire upo