The Irish standard., 1903-05-30

standard Of the nation, the flag of
ones country.
During the past nineteen centuries
our ideas of war, the individual and
national code Of honor, has been
gradually, but persistenlly evolving it.
self into principles more and more con.
sistent with the doctrines of Jesus
Christ. The duel is almost !; thing OF
the past, and whereas formerly, it
would have been considered a sign of
fundamental weakness and essential
frailty, classes and nations now sub
NIT to Il peaceful arbitration of their
differences. Not that the doctrines of
Christianity have changed, for they
are eternal and immutable as the God
who gave them, but because there is
a change and an evolution that has
taken place in the minds and under
standings of men during the years
that have passed since God made
known through His Divine Son, the
last and greatest of the prophets, sent
to men, the fullness of His Divine
Revelations. Each age bequeaths to
the next rich heritage in the plente-
GUS storehouse Of it's findings and dis
coveries. Investigation into the laws
of nature wherein we discover in
some manner the action of God, gives
us also a better insight into the mys-
teries of revelation and sublime teach
ings of the gospel of peace.
In word this keencr perception OF
the natural order which has come
through the labor Of years, when
focused upon the supernatural gives
us a more perfect religious knowledge.
And hence this movement in our day
amongst men and nations for arbitra-
ton and peace. for which we devout-
ly render our need of thanks to the
Great God Almighty, this morning.
Still, howsoever much we may ablor
the idea of war, 1 care not to what
length we may weep and lament its
cruel ravages, there may yet be times,
and there may yet be questions, and
l believe that there are. in the solu
ton of which all else falls short. And
in that crucial hour when the nation
calls, there can be but one thing, in
all this world, that appeals more ur
gently and more fOrcibly to the heart
of every true man than to respond to
that CALL excepting to give ones life
for the honor of God and to propa gate
His knowledge and service amongst
men, there can indeed he nothing more
worthy and more glorious than to i'm
peril ones life in the defense of his
country. For next after our duty to
God and closely allied with it. is our
duty to our country. Fear God,
honor the king says st. Peter, and
the successor of Peter in every age
has never failed to teach the children
of the faith the same divine ordinance
of Jesus Christ.
Our country was born in the travail
of Il mighty struggle and was baptized
| in the blood of heroes, the very men,
| ton of whose names arouses in the
hearts of men. of whatsoever nation.
sentiments and emotions of justice.
liberty and equality. No nation has
ever given to the world sublimer on
amples of patriotic virtue and valor
than the United States of America.
Such names as Washington and Lee.
Parker, Putnam, Prescott and Gates
are emblazoned in history, and shall
he revered by humanity as long as
there fiourishes in it's bosom a love
of liberty and justice.
When the representatives of the
colonies in Congress assembled de-
clared that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain inalienable
rights, that amongst these are life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness,
they annunciated the basic principle
upon which this republic of the United
States is founded. they outlined the
future mission of it's career. they
pointed out the path along which it
would progress to prosperity and
power.
The war of the Revolution was
great war, and as we read history,
we cannot but marvel at its audacious
| success, but it is great and marks an
epoch in the annals of the world. not
so much because of the courage and
bravery and valor of it's heroes, not
so much because of the difficulties I'M
der which they fought. It's not the
| paucity of soldiers nor the cold and
hunger and thirst and nakedness Of
Valley Forge that most distinguishes
the American Revolution from other
| wars, but it is the sublime principle
for which they fought. 1t is the lofty
| sentiments of the highest patriotic
virtue which inspired these heroic
| men to sacrifice all. even life itself,
| that future generations might enjoy
the blessings Of liberty, equality and
| justice. But when victory perchcd
upon our standard. when the belief
expressed in these words, that these
united colonies are and of right ought
to be free and Independent states. be-
| came an accomplished fact the great