Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1904-06-02
Memorial Services, Trinity Church.


The sermon, on 1.-THE Service and
Mastery of Life,' was by the rector,
Dean Chase. 1t opened with the
statement that the underlying truth Of
both Memorial Sunday and Trinity
Sunday met in the truth which the
day proclaimed: as the long roll Of
toll and suffering and death in the
past could only be justified by the
fact that there was something vast in
humanity and that through such con-
flicts there came the awakening con-
seriousness on the part of man that he
was created for something nobler and
better than the life of the brute. This
is why we honor, said the speaker, our
dead, and recall the past, full as it
may be of sad memories.
The speaker then took up the text,
Psalms cxxiii 2, and applied it by
showing that the idea of service and
mastery of self ran all through life,
and that the best progress and devel-
opment Of life came in this way
First, he spoke of that which came
through army and war experiences,
and showed how these developed the
best traits of character as seen in
kindness and charity. Then the
speaker showed how that the com
rades in arms carried each others
burdens, shared their joys and sor-
rows, and exhibited the greatest char
ity to the fallen and disarmed foe.
In the second place, the speaker
showed how that this was factor in
the race progress, and how out of
conflicts came clearer idea of life.
And he showed how that the war
established the idea of our present
nationality, which receives the rever-
ence and respect not only of our own
people, but of the world; and that
while peace had it's victories, and that
the true patriot loved peace; yet ideas,
as we'll as men die and are surren-
dered in times of war, and this may
all mean a race progress-the hope
of the world.
In the next place, the speaker
called attention to the tragic and
heroic element that war advances, and
how that this indicates a service to
our fellow men, and mastery of
self. In many ways the speaker illus
trated this, but in the most pointed
way when he paid a just tribute to the
women, who, as a Relief Corps, in the
past, had showed the most beautiful
and self-sacrifcing service, and mas
terry over the vanities and pomps of
the world. To them the veterans owe
much.
From this the speaker passed on to
say that the text carried with this idea
of service a patient waiClng for the
fulfilled time, which indicated at times
the best service and mastery of self.
There are times when we cannot go
forward or back, but we can only
wait and endure, and hold the fort.
In many ways the speaker illustrated
this point, and showed how that the one
who guarded the bridge and kept the
communications opened was not only
in the line of duty, but, in patient
endurance, and standing his ground,
and holding the position, showed a
courage and loyalty that was equal to
that of the charging brigade, of which
poets sing.
The speaker here closed with the
assertion that in these times of rest
less activity, we need a new enthusi-
asm of patient endurance, that stands
by the post of duty, although the
waves rage and swell, and although
there is nothing to do but TO stand
and to hold the ground. So these
veterans, having done all, now stood
and awaited the summons to join the
army in the silent world.
| This is only an outline OF a dis
course of unusual length, which was
: closely followed as the line OF argu-
ment developed. There was a very
large attendance on the part OF the
Post and Corps and the general
public.