The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-05-29
Memorial Sunday.

Town Dy Russell Post, q. A. r., Russell
Relief Corps, Wildes Camp. Sons of Vet
Grams, and Veterans Of the Spanish
American War assembling al the First
Baptist Church, Sunday afternoon. the
18th instant on invitation Of that society.
These above named organizations as
sembled In good numbers and were seat
ed in the body pews OF the church in
front The church was tastefully dec.
GRATED with plants, flowers and patri-
otto emblems.
Music was furnished by choir made
up Of Mrs. Steward, Mrs. Huntington.
Mrs. Estabrooke, Mrs. Murray, Miss E
dena smith, Messrs. Wyman, Taylor and
Noln. with Miss Annie Allen, organist,
and was very we'll suited 70 the coca.
sion.
Following is an epitome OF the sermon
of the occasion, by Rev. H. F. Huse.
pastor of the First Baptist Church. kind
ly furnished US on request, by the
the speaker:
After words Of welcome 70 the Post
and their friends the speaker announced
his theme Spiritual forces in the max
ing and preservation of our country
Except the Lord build The house. they
labor in vain that build it Except the
Lord keepeth the city, the Waterman
waketh but In vain. Our text declares
the sovereignty of God In human affairs.
However much men or nations propose
their proposals are vain unless in bar
mony with the will OF God and the plan
OF the ages for the kingdom of God upon
the earth. Between the lines of our
text we read the history of the world in
national effort and failure. The piano.
rama OF history passes before US, the
rise and fall OF mighty empires, the
growth and decay of such great civiiza-
lions as Babylon, Assyria, Egypt,
Greece, Carthage and Rome.
Gods sovereignty in human affairs
does not mean however Gods caprice
but Gods ruling and overruling in hu-
man affairs according TO the principles
OF wisdom. justice, truth, right, love
eternal in Himself. These are the spir-
ltual forces which God has revealed to
US as operative In the spiritual realm and
everywhere and at all times making for
the spiritual progress of the race. These
|
the despotisms of the past. They made
Christianity rise superior TO Judaism
and triumphant over Roman supersti-
ton and pagansm. They caused the
spiritual upheaval of the 10th century
and Professionalism began TO be the ruling
power in the earth. Again in the 18th
century and America was settled by our
forefathers who were men of faith as
well as of muscle. Again in the 18th
century and the oppression OF England
was broken and the American nation
was born. Again in the 18th century
and chattel slavery has been wiped out
OF existence, the glory of which achieve.
ment in no small measure is due to YOU
brave men, and your brave comra des
slain upon hundred battle fields.
Again in this, the dawn of the goth and
most wonderful of all the centuries in
the worlds history, we see the operation
OF these spiritual forces in making for
spiritual progress in a way never before
witnessed In his history upon the be
ginnings of New England the late John
Fiske points out that the Oriental meth
cd OF making nation was war, con-
quest, but without the incorporation of
the conquered peoples. They became
slaves. The Roman method was con-
quest with incorporation but without
representation in the powers of govern.
ment. The English method has been
having waged war successfully to in
corporate and also give the conquered
peoples representation, a voice and part
In the government by which they are
ruled. The American method had not
beensfully exemplitied when the histo-
rian wrote. But we see il today. Amer.
lea having waged war successfully. sets
Cuba free. The proudest moment in
our American history if not the grand
est event in the history of nations was
May 20, 1902, when by direction of
! President Roosevelt, DIT II o'clock, noon.
the control and government of the
island Of Cuba was transferred from the
| United States Military Governor. Cen
eral Wood, to President Palma and Con-
gress Of the Republic of Cubs. The
humanitarian motive in the war with
Spain was vindicated. Our pledge to
Cuba and our promise to the world were
! fulfilled. The stars and stripes were
never more glorious than when in the
brightness of that mondays sun. with
the American soldiers at present arms
they were hauled down from the gov
eminent palace in Havana 70 give place
to the one-starred banner of Cuba.
How America in Cuba contrasts with
England in Africa Yes. how Amer
lea in Cuba contrasts with America in
the Philippines. We have confidence to
believe how ever that the end of our work
there will be in harmony with all our
historic traditions and free Institutions
The first great force in the making
and preservation of our country has been
fidelity to God in the light of the Chris
tain revelation. The Word of God sown
Ia the hearts of the people by the Eng
lish translation of the Bible by John
Wiclif in 1892 led to the spiritual awak-
ening of England in the Is and Is cen
turtles. This awakening led to the Puri-
tan exodus and the settlement Of Amer
lea chiefly by men who believed in God.
The second great force In our coun-
try's making and preservation has been
the desire for justice in the political sys-
tenn under which we are governed and
the economic system under which the
people toll for their daily bread Poiti.
cal justice finds its best expression in
the words of Abraham Lincoln. ctr
eountry's greatest leader ~ government
of the people, for the people and by the
people
The third great force IN our national /
life has been and is today public opinion /
invigorated and made active by an en- /
lightened Christian couscirrce II we
trace public opinion upon any great sub /
ject back to its sources we shall usually |
find its beginning in thu word and ex-