Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-28


ought to be very far from the heart of
those who enjoy the benefits of the suffer
ing to allow the perpetuation of this beauti-
full custom to become the work of a few or
the case of survivors only. Especially does
1t belong to every loyal citizen to see to it
that this day shall not become wholly sec
ularized. to the extent that other days have
become so.
Our times are much of this character.
Holy days have lost their Significance. The
sacred joy belonging to them has been mis-
interpreted as belonging to frvolity. and
pleasures and sports have crowded out rev.
erence and worship. But people We do
owe it to the memory of the former days
that Decoration day should be kept worthily
of the things it commentaries. A nation
has made it a legal holiday in order that
all the people might have opportunity to
devote its hours to such observances as
country which the soldier sons of the civil
war so thoroughly possessed. and which
was their inspiration to endurance and suf-
fering. But how fearfuIy far from such
services have so many citizens let the day
be degraded. The games, the sports, the
amusements which fill the announcements
tor Decoration day deprive it of its char
acter. And it is left for the men who de-
Tended the national unity to care also for
the observances of the day, until the real
purpose of it's services will sooner or later
be lost What loyal voice will not be raised
against the custom?
However, whatever may be said of these
things, this remains true: The day affords
for all who will keep it an opportunity for
remembering the days of old, when God
showed His might in the triumphs which
established beyond possibility of question
the perfect unity of this one country, which
in these later days of our historic unfolding
we are all recognizing with SO much de-
light
When these days of old are recalled, and
God is praised for what He has done for
this nation, it becomes us also to inquire
for what purpose is this leading, for what
good is this preservation. The thoughts of
the days of old will serve their purpose best
when they direct our minds to the duties
and responsibilities of the present. God
kept the nation one for His own good and
wise purposes. and by that keeping has
given us the added responsibility of con-
sciously serving His present and future
Numbering the days of old to heartily de-
vote ourselves to the country's service so
as to make us ready TO meet and conquer
the national enemies of today with the de-
votion which characterizes the heroes we
mourn for on Decoration day.
For we may well recognize that such foes
exist always. The problem of free ma
tional unity is by no means solved. The
called for as was shown in the sixties, and
the readiness to suffer cheerfully for the
nations wellbeing is demanded in very
many exigencies. The defense of the home
support of our schools against seculariza-
ton; the support of all good laws against
every form of lawlessness: the protection
of the weak against the encroachment of
the strong; all call for such exercise of pa
triotism, and the very naming of these sug-
gests a great many other forms in which
our country calls for the same conservation
In them all is to be found the sphere in
which united nation may exercise its 10y
atty.
The cultivation of our sense Of national
oneness will destroy all feelings of section
alism in our nation. And if God made us
one at so great a cost. every citizen is re-
sponsible for the maintenance of that unity.
And this we do from no sense of charity to
any section or part of the country, but
from sense of duty to God. who, when He
made victory TO perch on our banners, laid
upon us the responsibility of working out
self government in one united national life
Wherefore a grateful nation will endeavor
to keep the day in reverent consecratiO to
God and to His praise, with the prayer that
moved our people in the day of the ma
tons trial in war may not be lacking in
her day Of peace, when more insidious foes
threaten the countrys veal.
Remember the days of old, but In remem-
bering them we will not forget that we live
in the present, and be sure that we shall
best honor the past by being worthy sons
of our fathers, ready to meet the RESPONSE
bilities that confront US with that spirit
which will not count life itself dear If it be
spent in His service, for our national we'll
being. who gave us our history and points
to our duty.
Then will the present and the past. our
duty and our glory. become and remain one
in Him who bids his children remember the
days of old