Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-05-30

that it is with pleasure we publish it in
full:
LEST WE FORGET
Deut 40 Only take heed 10 thyself and keep thy
soul diligently lest thou forget TIE things which
thine eyes have seen. ana lest they depart from
thy heart an the days Of Thy lltg hut teach them 70
thy sons sons.
Forgetfulness is natural to men. A
sudden disaster overwhelms the land,
causing "A thousand homes 10 mourn.
The news is rushed with lightning s
speed over the continent; heralded
in glaring headlines III all the city
papers; talked about as a nine days
wonder; then sinks into oblivion.
Statesmen and generals play a large
part in the struggles and successes of
their age; but like the seas waves rol-
ling in upon the shore, the oncoming
generations bury them III the past, and
soon even their names are lost from
memory Against this well.known, uni
versa law all persons are forever fight
ing Pharaoh builds his pyramid and
John Smith of Buggles Corners writes
his name upon its top, each influenced
by the longing 20 be remembered IN
future DAYS. In almost every railway
station one can find upon the walls the
interesting fact that Z. w. Gallup of
Hardscrabble, Iowa, was there Nov. Z,
1897. The school boy cuts his initials
into his desk when he should be study
ing his books. The collegian wins
prizes in the classroom or breaks the
record on the athletic field; and believes
that his fame is secure for many years.
Let us not rudely rouse him from his de-
lightful dream the hour Of waking will
come swift and sure. This longing for
immortality also finds expression in
Memorial Day, when great events and
worthy deeds are brought 20 mind To
the Jew there was the Passover, the
Days OF Purim, the Feast of Dedication
Christmas and Easter are laden
with holy memories TO Christian
while the observance of the Lord S
Supper perpetually keeps in his
heart the facts of Jesus death.
hours Of the nation. Washington
Birthday brings before us the majestic
figure OF the First American. Thanks
giving with its feasting strengthens the
bonds of family and kindred While
Memorial Sabbath and Decoration Day
are set apart as times when the
nation shall call its roll Of heroes and
teach its youth the value and necessity
of patriotism.
Forty years ago this nation was in
deadly peril. The cloud of wrath that
had so long hung darkly on the horizon
became shot through with lightning
and thunderbolts struck thick and fast,
until II seemed as if the country's hour
of death had come. That our fears
were unrealized was owing TO a God
whose thoughts towards us were full of
love, and under Him to the devotion and
self-sacrifice OF thousands who breasted
the tempest and risked their lives that
the country might be saved. Most fifty
has a Memorial time been set apart
tr0 doys-ohe in which TO thank Jehovah
for His guidance aud defence, and one
for adjoining the graves in n thousand
cemeteries, that the deeds of those who
sleep beneath the turf may never be for
gotten. To many Of Us this hour is full
of pathos. Thirty five years ago the
Civil war was barely ended A million
of victorious soldiers had just exchanged
their uniform for the more sober clothes
of ordinary life. The Grand Army of
the Republic was hardly born. Fifteen
years more and the "Grand Army" will
be only in glory. Perhaps in our larger
cities handful OF white-haired veter.
ans will totter into church Memorial
Sunday; but most of them will he sleep
ing in their flag marked graves, the dec
Grafton of which will then be given as
an honorable task to others. A genera
tion is now with us to whom the events
OF the rebellion are merely history.
You made'the march and fought the
battle: They read il in book as they do
the Revolution or the War with Mexico.
Yet we hope that these Memorial Days
May 30, with the Sabbath that precedes
twill be an inspiration to the nation
future years. They bring
TO us rich teaching, wise advise wonder.
full encouragement Letus see TO il that
we do not waste their treasure in for.
getfulness.
Though we should not keep alive
the memory OF fratricidal strife, we
must not in the future confuse the facts
Of history. America is generous; but