Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-05-29
The 6. A. r. and wcmam's Re,
lief Corps at Presbyterian
Church.

The Presbyterian church looked
very pretty last night. The pulpit was
draped with "Old Glory" aud four
beautiful silk flags stood erect on the
platform. A cluster of roses gave
added charm of fragrance.
Just at the hour of service there was
dash of rain end promise of more,
which was enough to daunt the cour-
age of many. The old soldiers and the
good ladies of the Relief Corps were,
however, present in goodly number,
and many others filed in to fill the re-
manning pews. The church choir led
in enthusiastic singing of military
hymns and good anthem.
Rev. j Ulster took for his text
2 I'm 2:3, Endure hardness as good
soldier of Jesus Christ" He alluded
at the opening of his sermon TO the
acknowledgement made by the soldiers
of the United States that the honors
of victory to the flag we're due TO him
who is the God of Battles" The
speaker said he did not intend to do
the work of the Decoration day orator,
speaking the eulogy of the dead heroes
and the praise ftheir living comrades
lie wished only to catch the spirit of
Paul who wrote the letter to Timothy
from which the text was taken. When
he wrote, Paul was a prisoner at Rome
chained to a soldier of the Empire.
Doubtless as Paul told him the story
of redeeming love and the labors and
trials of an apostle, the soldiers recited
the Joys and sorrows of military life
Paul therefore, when he wrote to Tim.
i0thy was under military influence, his
thoughts covered with military en-
Ithusiasms, and he wrote the young
preacher endure hardness as a good
soldier of Jesus Christ So the speak
or said he felt the military inspirations
of the presence of soldiers before him,
and would preach to Christians, seek
ing to arouse them by the stimulant of
military life.
His first point was on the enlistment
of the soldier, which was the beginning
OF his military life. Many talked but
did not enlist but the men before him
entered the army, drilled and went to
the froLt-so he urged men and wo-
men familiar with their danger as sim
ners and knowing the Gospel invita-
ton to accept and enroll themselves as
soldiers of Jesus Christ
His second point was on Battle,
which he said was the chief work OF
the soldier and also of the Christian.
lie divided battles into two classes,
aggressive and defensive, illustrating
both sorts very fully from history.
The Christian is called upon to de-
fend the Bible, the church, and the
Sabbath from hostile attacks. The
sabbath is now perhaps the most ex-
posed and calls for most Jealous efforts
to keep it what God would haze it, a
rest day and holy day. Christians
have also aggressive battles to fight
against foes within and without.
Tho third point was the devotion
shown the soldier to the cause of his
country. Similar devotion the Chris
tian should show to Christ's cause and
the church.
The sermon was listened to with
earnest attention and must be the
means of good to those who heard it.
Programmes have been received in
Missouri Valley announcing the An
nual Commencement Exercises at Fer
ry Hall Seminary, Lake Forest, Ill
Tuesday forenoon June Bird. Miss
Eleanor Fensler, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. w II Fensler of this city is among
this years list of graduates.