Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-05-28


mercy Of foreign enemy. A hostiis
feet lying outside New York, Boston.
Charleston or San Francisco could by
a few hours bombardment exact
ransom Of fabulous amount unless we
had n fleet TO defend our ports. For
our national safety, for the very pres
ervation of our national existence, we
need strong ships and bravo men to
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 glttcring uniforms Of the
American naval officers standing upon
the decks Of the New York. Chicago,
Iowa. Brooklyn, Texas. Oregon, Olym-
pia, Massachusetts, Illinois, new Mains
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
ly spent. Under present conditions the
only way TO prevent war IS to he strong
for national defense. 1t IS only for q
time The gospel Is eventually to per-
mcatc all nations and bring every gov
! t,,,,, ,,ki hf ri
of Peace. When that glorious day
comes. our battle ships may he 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 a
cursinc. lying, drinking, carousing lot
That is not true Some Of the noblest
of Christians have worn the naval uni
form Did ever Christian write
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 II God
is my leader, and l 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
Philip of the Texas? He was bravo
enough before Santiago when Ger
vera's fleet was going down to call out
to his victorious men: Don't cheer.
boys. Those poor fellows over thers
are dying" And he was brave enough
after the battle was ended to call hi5
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.
uago. the commander OF the Amerl-
can Meet Admiral WlJllam 1. oaup.
son. was seen again ana again 10 Nueti
by MS perrin IN prayer All through
the 1orecastie, as well rs the oulcers
quarters or tue American navy lnerc
have always been praying men. lHey
have realized their need OIL "lsdonl'
and have gone TO the divine source;
they nave known the weakness OF
their moral nature ana nave sought
the help or nm VINO IS apIe 10 Keep
them in temptation. lhey nave earheu
how liable they are to sudden deau
in wreck or IN BATTLE ana th'E nave
committed th"lr SOUS 10 ArlNt' 1Aelr
! needs are ours N'' No' I'D 'H' voyage
OF NE. hN"' "''r "S'
we make shipwrecK' Inc same ear
Is open to our suppllcauon' win thelh'
/ and for them, let us DOW at the throne
or grace.
, linus nave TWO purposes III p'c"c"-