Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-05-30


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 appropriat-
ed by congress for ironclads is useless
ly 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
ernment 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 1t
for the lives of its 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-I write and
leave this letter to you. am going
into Mobile bay in the morning il God
is my leader. and hope he is, and in
him place my trust. If he thinks 1t
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
Philip of the Texas? He was brave
enough before Santiago when Ger
veras fleet 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 well as the officers
quarters of the American navy, there
have always been praying men. They
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
III " ft.,h VI @,.ali 14.,, dAath
committed their souls TO Christ. Their
needs are ours: we. tcO, in the voyage
Of life; must have divine succor lest
we make shipwrcck. 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, would have you re-
member the heroes whose bodies lie
In unknown scpulchers beneath the
blue waters of the deep. We can lay
no flowers on their resting place, but
I'm our hearts we can do them honor
and by our gratitude keep their men,
ory green. My second purpose is to
remind you of the duties we owe to
God and our country. This land, in
defense Of which the naval heroes laid
down their lives, is a sacred heritage
It's honor its principles, its best inter
ests. are in our keeping. Their self
sacrifice will 90 for naught if we allow
our country to drift into infdelity and
sin. Only by righteousness can we
hope for the divine protection. Let
us every one do our part in our several
positions to make our beloved country,
which is consecrated by the lives and
deaths of these heroes, God fearing,
God serving nation.
copyright. 1903 by Louis Klopsch.l