The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1905-06-01
Memorial Sunday.

At the appointed hour In the afternoon.
the members OF Russell Pos, Russell
Relief Corps and kindred organizations
met at Grand Army Hall sud Just be-
fore three O'clock formed line and
marched to the church where seats wert
reserved for them, and where the audi.
ence room had beef elabUrately deco
rated with II igs, evergreens and nDwels
for the occasion.
Prayer WAS offered by the h y. r. A.
L@itch and the sermon delivered by the
Rev. II. f. Huse. The choir of the
church and male quartet, composed of
Messrs Maven, Wilkie. White and Nge,
rendered special music, and Mrs. Philo
Steward sang solo, in which sacred
words were arranged to the familiar
wartime air, "Tenting on the Old Camp
Ground"
The sermon was one of thoughtful H.
terest to veterans and the audience gen.
orally. Following we give brief ex.
tracts therefrom which fail to give an
adj quate idea of its value.
trust there is in me that true sentiment
which rightly appreciates Memorial sunday
and Memorial Day. The purpose in their
observance is neither to exalt war nor TO cul-
tivate any war sprit-iar from it. The pur-
pose Of tht Sc memorial days is as | conceive
it first to cherish the remembrance Of the
brave men-dead, second to honor the brave
men-lving, third to cherish and exalt that
love of country which was exhibited on the
part Of these brave men, the living and the
dead, who when the stern emergency of war
arose, in their convictions Of right and duty,
did not finch.
There is great Inspirstion to patriotism in
the printed page Of our country's history
which tells us of herosm in battle and sacri-
fee for the country but as long as there shall
remain any survivors Of the war the greatest
inspiration will ever come to US from looking
into your faces, in seeing your procession, in
having part in your memorial exercises.
To consider what you men of the Grand
Army of the Republic did in the preservation
Of the Union Of States, in the emancipation
of an enslaved race, is to take lessons in that
genuine patriotism which makes man will
ing to do and to die for his country. We
hear again the drum-beat of the nation. We
hear again the blast of the bugle. We see
you falling into line. We see you leaving
home and friends and business. We see you
not as you are today-veterans-but as you
were forty-hve years ago-volunteers--in all
the prime and vigor of young manhood-we
see you marching to the front to meet the
issues of war, whatever they might be, issues
that for you meant survival, but issues that
meant for your equally courageous comrades,
suffering, death, burial, it may be in yonder
cemeteries, it may be in some southern bat
tleheld, ii may be in the deep waters Of the
sea, beyond the reach of the loving and rev
erent hand that would mark the spot with
monument, flag and flowers.
OF the thousands and tens of thousands
who went out to the war without a physical
ailment of any kind-and who were spared
to come back aliye-how many brought with
them sown in their bodies from exposure and
hardships the seeds of physical disease and
| suffering. And yet even shattered bodies
was not the worst devastation OF the war. 1t
was shattered hopes. 1t was the devastation
of broken hearts-and broken up homes. 1t
was the devastation of sorrow and loneliness
on the part Of the tens OF thousands who
waited the home coming of loved ones, ia
| Their, son, brother, lover, but who waited in
vain for the reunion that never took place.
But how great was the patriotism of the
men and the women who made such sacIi-
fees.
War is an awful tragedy in the life OF man
kind. But on this occasion let us thank God
for two things. First, that hatred of war is
growing more and more intense in the hearts
| of men. Second, that avoidance 81 war is
becoming more and more the settled and de-
termined purpose in the hearts Of increasing
maiolities of men among the great and pow
erful nations Of the earth. Let us thank God
for this and pray and work for the spread OF
the ideal of human brotherhood, the triumph
Of which means the abolition of war, the dis
placement Of might by right, of force by rea-
son, the adoption OF international arbitration
for all international disputes.
OF the memories awakened by the war how
many of them are sad--inexpressibly sad
How many hearts there are whose sorrow in
the memory Of the ,disappointments, the
griefs, the losses, is as deep as the fathomless
sea How many mysteries battle our under
standing-why there should be war. the
death of some, the survival of others, the SUI
ferings, the tragedies of those fearful days
| have asked myself the question is there any
balm that can heal? Is there any consola-
ton in view of war and the desolation that
it causcs2 And | have said, thank God,
there is balm that can heal and a consola-
ton that can comfort. II is the balm Of the
promises of God. 1t is the consolation Of the
Lord Jesus Christ.
suppose this country has never witnessed
grander review than was the one in Wash
ington at the conclusion of the Civil War,
For two whole days the armies of Meade and
Sherman passed in review. In everybody S
heart there was gratitude and JOY. The war
was over. The bands played it. The crowds
shouted it. The blood stained banners
waved it. That was indeed a great and a
grand review-but when will the grand re-
view of heavens heroes be? See them-bat-
talon alter battalion Of the redeemed of
earth-the heroes of the faith from every race
from the beginning Of time to the end will
be there
Heavens heroes Who are they? Those
who have bravely endured the greatest per-
secutions-those who have successfully over
come the greatest temptations those who
have unselhshly made the greatest sacrifices.
Who are they? All say who have faith
fully and heroically died for Christ-all who
have faithfully and heroically lived for Christ
the glory Of God the good Of their fell
lowmen.
when the trumpet OF the Lord thAll sound,
and time shall be no more,
Aud the morning breaks. eternal bright and
fair;
When the saved OF earth shall gather over on
the other shore.
And the roll ia called up yonder"-May we be
there.
Lincoln once asked an army nurse, wo-
10