The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-05-27
Memorial Sunday Sermon.
ssWhat Mean Ye by These Stones"
Written for the Review by
Rev. Gee. f. Morphy

JOShau 4-6.
When under the guidance and care OF
God the children of Israel with Joshau
as their leader, had safely crossed the
river Jordan, twelve men were chosen
representing the twelve tribes, whose
duty it was to take from the bed OF the
river twelve stones. These stones
were brought to Joshau who builtthem
into monument which should stand
as memorial of their great deliver
ance unto the coming generations.
When the children of future day
would ask what mean ye by these
stones? they were to be told that the
waters of Jordan had been cut of and
the people had crossed on dry land.
It has been customary with all civilized
nations to make memorials and to keep
records of the notable events In their
history. Egypt has left her pyramids,
Babylon her tablets, the Hebrews the
Holv Land and the imperishable record
of the sacred scriptures.
We have memorials OF different
kinds. There are written histories that
record in details the events OF the past
and explain to US their meaning.
There are monuments OF stone or
bronze which pictorially represent
occurrences of national interest and i'm
portance. There are also days kept sac
as they recall critical times. gigantic
achievements or decisive and glorious
victories. This day which We call Me-
mortal Sunday is like monument or
sacred record. 1t has connected With
it the most patriotic and tender associ-
atioEs
AS the Hebrews asked concerning G
the monument erected by Joshua: What
mean We by these stones? May we moi
ask to-day what mean We by this day:
What does this day mean to the vete
rams themselves? You recall once more
the davs of '6l You remember the ex-
citement aroused by the news that the
South had revolted and that the Presi.
dent had called for volunteers. You
remem Der we'll the discussion OF these
events in the home circle, in the store:
and shops. and on the streets. You re
member how your heart thrilled with
the feeling of patriotism. You enlist
ed with others: some of whom did no
return. You remember parting from
your relatives and friends, you remem
ber your fathers advice, your mother's
anxiety. your wife's or eetheart'
parting words.
You may have thought you were
going on short picnic excursion AM
would soon be back home again. Blu
the picnic dragged along for month
and years and soon lost its glamour
and its mirth. You found that war wa
not so glorious as it seemed at first
You found that it meant hardships
trials, burdens, weariness, cold, hunge
self sacrifice, death,
You found that real battles were yer,
different from sham fights, that lonl
marches and dress parades were no
the same.
You were wounded, you were sick
you had to lie in the hospital for wear
DAYS and weeks. You were taker
prisoner and in the prison pens yo
drank the dregs of your bitter cup O
suffering.
But victory came at last. With Gran
at Vicksburg and Meade at Gettysbur!
and the others-glorious names Sher
man, Sheridan and the rest, you gain
ed the victory. All this and more |
what this day means to you, Blu
what to him who sleeps in some still
spot in the Southland, your comrade
You know not and no one knows bu
God, just where he lies. He feil il
battle and he heard not the shout o
triumph which you raised. He di
not join the grand review. he did no
witness the rejoicings nor did he re
ceive the words of appreciation whicl
came from the hearts of a gratefu
nation. You had all this; but he lies i
the quiet grave on which the raj
and sunshine have been falling thes
forty years or more. But he is not fol
gotten, nor are those who since weak
ened by disease and exposure in thos
trying days of the past, have falle
asleep and are laid to rest in all tn
cemeteries of our land. The wreath
are woven and the words are spoke
4 and the tribute is not too rich for the
are they who loved this country eve
unto death.