Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-05-28
Memorial Services Last Sunday.

Having been appointed press CORE
spondent in the W. A. Morse Relief
Corps No. 80, tor the year 1902, L will
try to tell you as briefly as possible, all
about our memorial services, which
have come and gone, where orators have
again borne brilliant testimony to the
deathless glory of the soldiers. They
sleep on undisturbeh by censure or
praise. Their graves are scattered far
and wide, by mountain, stream and sea.
They did not live in vain and we owe
to them the glory of this undivided
union.
On Sunday, May 25, our memorial
services were held in the Congregational
church, and the sermon was given by
the pastor, Rev. H. W. futile, the
church choir furnishing fine and appro-
pirate musical selections. The Post as
sembled at G. A. R. Hall, the Corps, at
the parlors of the church, before the
hour appointed for the service, and af-
ter all were ready, marched in process
sion, the Post forming divided ranks, to
the place of worship, where large au-
dience were already seated, these bodies
marching to the seats, that had been
kindly reserved for them, all of the ex-
ercises being rendered in kindly and
appropriate manner, some of the mem
bers of the Post, Corps, and church fur
nishing decorations, using flags, bunt-
ing, flowers and ported plants.
| l should have said the services were
held at the hour of the usual Sunday
morning services, many from the vari-
GUS churches uniting.
The day was perfect, and there was a
good attendance aside from the G. A. r..
of whom there we're quite number
present, occupying the front seats, the
w. r. G. ladies being seated on the
right of the Post.
The church was perfectly lovely, the
decorations were simple but suggestive
AS we looked at the men who many
years ago gave their all for the saliva
ton of their country, we were impressed
more than ever with the Importance of
the work that should be done, especially
among the young, those who know
nothing by experience of what the war
meant, what it cost in human lives and
in sufferings that are being endured
every day and will continue until the
last old soldier is laid in his grave.
The orator of the day spoke with feel
!, ing, and as one who had been IL. une
, FREY to those I'D veterans whose white
locks are now frosting for the harvest
of the conqueror of all living, and the
dawn of eternal youth.
Is it not proud record to have beer
old enough to have taken part in thai
immortal struggle for the freedom Of
humanity and the union, under the
starry banner of the north and south
the east and west? Sad as the memo
ries are, let us rejoice and be glad tt
meet and give our tribute Of gratitude
and respect to the memory of those wht
redeemed the pledge of the signers O
the Declaration of Independence-o
their lives, their fortunes and their sa.
cred honor; whilst the Grand Army O.
the Republic is enjoined to keep thi
day in especial remembrance, and tn,
Women''s Relief Corps are pledged tt
assist them. Most beautiful were tn,
words fifty spoken by our friend, th,
Rev. Ill. w. Tuttle, last Sunday. Thos,
/ who failed to be there from any caus,
cannot comprehend how much the,
missed by their absence.
The q. A. r., and w. r. G. of thi
place will hold in loving remembrance
the inspiration of all that was good
true and uplifting In that sermon ant
f the loyal greeting of the church whicl
SO kindly joined in inviting the G. A. R
, and w r. q. to that beautiful place O
' worship.
, To fully appreciate this beautiful ser
5 vice, one must be in sympathy with tn
heroic devotion Of those who followed
in the footsteps Of the Master in Hi
. sacrifice for humanity. In honorinl
them they honored the cause of thos
who counted not their own lives des
to themselves, If they could succor tn
! defenders of the flag of our country
Wherever our beautiful flag floats
f there its lovely auxiliary proclaims t.
r all the world the brotherhood of human
ity. by its influence may the red tla|
/ of war be furled and the golden rule o
Christ bring the golden age" Of man
, proclaiming "Glory to God in the high
: est! Peace on earth, goodwill to men!
4 Mrs. l.. NJ. Il.