Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-05-25

lOtS-
The American navy is to be honored
today. The genius of its constructors
and the sure craftsmanship of its gun
ners are to be the great preventers of
future wars. The president of the
United States a short time ago, when
speaking in the city of Chicago, said
practically these words: DO not boast
in reference to our national prowess.
Let US obey the old adage which says.
Speak softly, but carry big club, and
go ahead" The big club today for
national offense and defense is the
American navy. More and more has
the law of national development in
creased the responsibility Of the navy.
With a coast SO extended as ours on
east and west and south we are at the
mercy of a foreign enemy. A hostile
feet lying outside New York, Boston,
Charleston or San Francisco could by
a few hours bombardment exact a
ransom of fabulous amount unless we
had q fleet to defend our ports. For
our national safety, for the very pres
ervation of our national existence, we
man them. Let us then by the honors
that we pay to the naval heroes of the
past encourage their successors.
Christian Men In the Service.
But now the genius of American ma
val construction has been at work. We
see the glittering uniforms of the
American naval officers standing upon
the decks of the New York. Chicago.
Iowa, Brooklyn, Texas, Oregon, Olym-
pia, Massachusetts, Illinois. new Maine
and Philadelphia, and the great fleets
of other war ships which now compose
our navy, and all the many other war
ships soon to be built and put into COM
mission. And as we see the new white
ships steam past in review they do
not come as demons of war, but as
white angels of peace. Never fail to
honor the United States sailor. Never
declare that all the money appropriate
ed by congress for ironclads is useless
~ spent. Under present conditions the
only way to prevent war is to be strong
for national defense. 1t is only for a
time. The gospel is eventually to per-
meate all nations and bring every gov
eminent into subsection to the Prince
of Peace. When that glorious day
comes, our battle ships may be disman-
tied and instead of guns and arma-
ments of war they may sail forth bear
ing Bibles and missionaries or food for
some famine stricken people.
But there is another reason for hon.
oring the American navy. We honor it
for the lives of it's Christian men. both
in sailors bunk and officers cabin,
whose influence has permeated the
| whole service. Some people are apt to
think of the American sailors as
| cursing, lying, drinking, carousing lot.
| That is not true. Some of the noblest
of Christians have worn the naval uni
| form. Did ever a Christian write a
more beautiful letter than this. which
| Admiral Farragut wrote to his wife
| the night before the battle of Mobile
Bay: MY Dearest Wife, write and
leave this letter to you. l am going
| into Mobile bay in the morning if God
is my leader. and hope he is, and in
: him l place my trust. If he thinks it
| is the proper place for me to die l am
ready to submit to his will in that as
| in all other things. God bless and pre-
serve you, my darling, and my dear
boy, if anything should happen to me.
May his blessing rest upon you and
your dear mother" Was there ever
sweeter Christian character than Com
modore Philip, who was once Captain
/ III
| enough before Santiago when Ger
veras feet was going down to call out
| to his victorious men: Don't cheer.
boys. Those poor fellows over there
are dying" And he was brave enough
| after the battle was ended to call his
men together and have the ships chap
lain return thanks to that God who
had preserved the American ships in
the battle.
During the weary blockade off San
tiago, the commander of the Ameri-
can feet, Admiral William T. Samp-
son, was seen again and again to kneel
by his berth in prayer. All through
the forecastle, as we'll as the officers
| quarters of the American navy, there
| udNe bteu pray IhSy
have realized their need Of wisdom,
and have gone to the divine source;
they have known the weakness of
their moral nature. and have sought
the help Of him who is able to keep
them in temptation. They have learned
how liable they are to sudden death
in wreck or in battle, and they have
committed their souls to Christ. Their
needs are ours; we. too. in the voyage
Of life, must have divine succor lest
we make shipwreck. The same ear
is open to our supplication. With them,
and for them, let us bow at the throne
of grace.
Thus have two purposes in preach
ing this sermon. The one is, to show
what our naval heroes have done
While the flowers of this Memorial
day are being placed upon the sol
diers' graves, 1 would have you re
ho horoaC xr-boca hodiaC I;c