The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1905-06-08
MEMORIAL SERMON
Preached by Rev. n. v. Adams,
May 20, 1905.

Our earth is composed OF land and
water. The land is divided by imagi-
nary lines into empires, Kingdoms,
republics and colonies. These imagi-
nary lines are called boundaries.
What a deal of trouble these bound
aries have occasioned the nations.
Ever and anon, some governments are
quarrelling over the matter of a
Encouragement of these boundaries.
In almost every war that ever was
waged this question Of boundaries has
come up for settlement at some period
of the conflict.
Like the changing course of a
mighty river, which at every flood,
either threatens to or actually does
send it's waters through some new
channel, so the boundaries of nations
are constantly changing, or are being
threatened with a change.
So it has been, is now, and ever will
be-until, shall man attempt to say
when? Sometime in that unknown
but always radiant future, when every
wrong will be righted, and when every
question in dispute will be peacefully
settled.
Is there back of all this seeming
uncertainty and change determining
power which is fixing and settling the
boundaries of the nations in accord
ance with some supreme will?
Charlemagne, mighty genius of
his time, attempted to oblitirate the
boundary lines of Europe and make
of the whole country one great empire.
But he failed to accomplish his pur-
pose; evidently because it co-incided
not with the greater purpose of still
mightier genius. And the ambitious
dreams of many another mortal have
come to naught through the movings'
of some great Providence.
A learned Hebrew who f1ourished in
the palmy days of the Roman empire,
once addressed an audience at Athens
in Greece. In that address he spoke
concerning the nations and declared
that God hath determined the bounds
of their habitation."
Away back in the days of the great
Babylonian kingdom still another
Hebrew, in addressing Nebuchadnez-
Ear, told the king that God was
teaching him, "That the Most High
ruleth in the kingdom of men, and
giveth it to whomsoever he will"
This has always been the doctrine of
the Hebrew people, and not few
people in our own time endorse the
same.
In the discovery, settlement and
entire history of our own country, we
fatter ourselver that we have much
reason for believing that God has had
hand in determining events.
When the light of liberty was we'll
nigh gone out in Europe, then God
opened a way in the trackless sea and
guided the ships of our fathers over
the stormy waters of the Atlantic, that
upon this virgin soil might be kindled
anew that light which should shine
into the darkest corners of the earth.
Those men left home, sailed out
from the known world to voyage over
unknown waters, to land upon un-
known shores, and to brave unknown
perils. And this that they might
enjoy liberty denied them in the old
world.
They succeeded. The mother
country grew jealous of her colonies,
and dealt not wisely with them. The
war of the Revolution, in its outcome,
gave us recognition as one among the
nations of the earth. Following this
was realized the most marvellous
growth ever experienced by any people.
But in process of time there came
test of our stability as a government.
Several of the states seeded and at
tempted a Encouragement of our
boundaries. The question was raised,
SIS this United States unit, or is it
but mere alliance of many units?"
That was the great question of the
Rebellion. All the world looked on to
see how it would be answered.
One section of our land has rebelled
against the general government, armed
men are drilling for battle, the first
shots have been fired. Sumpter has
fallen, the President makes call for
volunteers, thousands of the bravest
and best of our land respond and
march to the front.
A decisive moment in that great
conflict has arrived. There is the
noise and din of battle, the clash of
arms, the beating of drums, COM
mands of officers, marching and
counter marching. Now breaks forth
an awful roar of artillery, crashing
shells and screaming shot, the very
foundations of the earth seem shaken
the soldiers know what it means and
they wait expectantly-the lines are
formed; suddenly the roar of the
cannon ceases, there is moment of
awful quiet like that which prevails
before tempest breaks in fury, not a