The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1906-05-31

who conducts the affairs OF men more
than the people of the United States
Faith in the unseen and eternal gave
these men of the olden time courage
and constancy. Had they waited
until the way was clear before them
they never would have ventured. But
they believed that the way should be
cleared for an independent nation and
that the God of Justice had willed it.
Theirs was not to weigh the proba.
bilities of success, but simply to
attempt it. The achievement of their
faith is the Union of today and
therefore we remember them with
gratitude.
But what the fathers won for us, the
boys of 81 to rs preserved. Therefore
it is eminently fitting that we keep
their memory green and deck their
graves with flowers.
Theirs too was a work of faith, and
in that civil conflict, no less than in
the war of the Revolution, we can
plainly discover the guiding Hand OF
an allwise and omnipotent Providence.
Therefore, too, it is most proper that
On the. Sabbath preceding Memorial
Day the Posts of the G.. A. R. through
out the Republic gather in the House
OF God to worship the Creator and
Preserver of All and to call to mind
those spiritual principles which under
lie true national greatness and
prosperity.
''wHOSE FAITH FOLLOW
Notice the object of the faith, which
animated the boys of 81 to rs.
That was noble army of men and
boys which responded to the nations
call in time of need. At the sound of
the alarm, they gathered to arms from
hillside and farm, from store and
factory, from college and counting
house. Their hands were strange to
the weapons of war, and many of them
had never slept away from the shelter
ing roof of home. They were not a
band of mercenaries who offered
themselves to be shot down at thirteen
dollars month. Perhaps many of
them were rough fellows who would
have felt awkward in my lady's
drawing room; many of them may
have been roistering boys, ready for
any excitement and adventure; many
of them perhaps had no more religion
than was good for them. But every
one who shouldered a musket because
Of the country's need had faith, which
deserves our admiration and imitation.
Dogmatic faith is not the question,
and we are not willing to say that
Heaven was won because they
shouldered a musket or even lost their
lives on some Southern battlefield.
But whether the boy in blue was a
Christian, Jew or an unbeliever, we
know that he believed in something
in which it is we'll for every true man
to believe. What was done for us, for
our children and for the world has
value apart from religious considera-
tons, and he would indeed be a
narrow soul, who because of this,
refused to give them the full measure
of praise and gratitude.
But now what did these boys believe
in? Perhaps some of them might
have found it difficult to set forth
their motives clearly. For what were
they lighting? They would probably
have replied, "For the flag" But
the flag is piece of silk or bunting,
with so many stripes and so many
stars. Now the dullest understanding
would have recognized that the flag is
the tangible emblem of country. 1t
embodies and represents the idea Of
patriotism.
The boys were willing to sacrifice
their lives for the sake of their country
But the boys in gray were just as
patriotic, fought as bravely, and died
as willingly. Both could not have
been right, and this shows us that il
does make difference what one be-
lieves, although in matters religious
so many claim that it makes no diff
ference if only one is sincere. You
recognize the fallacy. It is
necessary to have right objects
of faith. Sincerity is not enough,
The fact is that the Civil war was a
Titanic cofiict of antagonistic prin.
ciples. Two diverse ideas were met
in mortal combat. One was right and
the other was wrong. That is the
history of mankind. From the be-
ginning the progress of mankind has
turned about the pivot of two contend
ing principles. Truth and right ar.
in constant conflict with error anc
wrong. War is inevitable so long al
Terror raises her front in opposition.