Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1907-05-30
Memorial Sunday Service.

III securing kew. James y keefe OF
st. Paul's Catholic church to deliver
the memorial sermon the members of
n Geo. II. Legate Post were indeed for
tunate, which results clearly proved.
Long before the hour set for com
mencement of services 40 clock a. m. J
people from every quarter began to
assemble at the church, and after
the Post and Corps members had oc-
cupied the seats reserved for them
there was seating capacity for only
about two-thirds of those who had
gathered eager to hear the learned and
popular pastor.
Would that the Tribune could do
Father O'Keefe's sermon justice. 1t
was feast, the menu being Christian
ity and patriotism, and it is hoped that
every hearer partook thereof in a way
that will result in accordance with the
aim and desire of the speaker the
strengthening of the cause of the
worlds Redeemer, the upbuilding of
freedom, honor and patriotism of man.
In opening his remarks Father
O'Keefe quoted the Gospel of st. John,
c15:vl3-" Greater love than this no
man hath, that man lay down his life
for his friends" This was Christ's dec
claration to his twelve apostles.
The speaker portrayed the twelve
apostles as the first army to go forth
and battle for the earthly and celestial
happiness of man. On down through the
ages he pictured wildly the slow but
sure growth of the army of contenders
for the right, though suffering and
sacrifice, and even martyrdom, tented
at its every flank.
Reaching to the period of l776, the
! Declaration of American Independence
was pronounced almost divine. By the
valor and fortitude of one and all, re-
CARELESS of nationality or church creed,
/ in maintaining the doctrine of that de-
claration down 10 the present day, the
speaker showed to what magnitude this
army for the right had grown, and how
blessed is mankind in consequence.
Following proper and due recogni-
ton of the undaunted bravery of the
I living and dead soldiers of the civil war,
was beautiful and touching tribute to
the self-sacrificing, hope-inspiring wo-
men of America, on the battle field, in
the hospitals, and as organized bodies
of the present day for the relief and
comfort of veterans and suffering hui
mainly everywhere.
1t was grand sermon, one in which
Christianity and patriotism were i'm
pressively woven in every sentence by
the scholar and orator.
Through the courtesy of Father
O'Keefe, we are able TO give the fol-
| lowing report of the sermon:
|. That it was meet and just in human
affairs to turn our thoughts to God !,
our Creator and Redeemer, in prayer
and Thanksgiving, as from God came
all good, power and strength. so is it
meet and proper to assemble in mem
orial prayer and gratitude for the
great good preserved unto US by the
patriotism and fidelity of those Chris
tian soldiers who went forth at their
country's call, prepared TO suffer and
offer up their lives that their country
might live.
2. There are in Christian times two
distinct bodies Of soldiers--those Of
the cross and those of the nation.
The former suffer and fight for eternal
reward and life; the latter for temper
al power and happiness. The apostles
and their successors were and still
are on the battlefield of the world
/ fighting TO save the souls of men and
bring them to eternal life. In eloquent
words he recounted the labors and
sufferings Of the apostles, Of whom
eleven were martyrs, who with abiding
trust and confidence in their Master
never wavered. They taught the
things he taught them to teach
obedience TO God, humility, neekness,
mercy, charity, purity, etc. Through
prosecutions, FOR three hundred years
they struggled, until through the
power OF God the Roman emperor
converted, proclaimed freedom OF
worship for the Christians. Then from
the catacom bs, and secret hiding