Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-05-29
MEMORIAL DAY
SERVICE SUNDAY
Rev. LOvett Delivers a
Splendid Address.
THE CHURCH WAS PACKED
Decoration Day Services Will Be
Held Tomorrow Afternoon
The Program.

The Memorial services held at the
Newman NJ. E. church last Sunday
completely filled the church and were
listened to with marked attention
throughout, while the sprinkling of
old veterans made the scene mott i'm
pressive. This sermon was delivered
by the Rev. f. O. Lovett of the
First Baptist church, and the general
verdict seems to be that it was an
excellent memorial address. Mr..
Lovett took for his text, Exodus 10 IA.
And this day shall be unto you for q
memorial. Mr.. Lovett said in part:
The memorial day here recorded for
the great event in Jewish history.
Like our Declaration Of Independence
it marked beginning Of a nation.
Like the close of the bitter Civil War
in '65, race of slaves we're liberated.
The Jewish memorial day combined
our May 30th Dsnd our July .4th. 1t
marked also the beginning Of a march
which lasted 40 years, a march not
alone of an army of 600, 900 men, but
of many more of men, women and
children. 1t was the journey of the
people 10 times the number of the city
Of Portland against enemies and
through deserts with but few days
provisions in store. Such an event
naturally was an epoch in history and
must not be forgotten.
The observance Of that memorial
day was unique. No marching Of
uniformed men grey of head and bear
ing marks of the strife. No laying Of
flowers over the graves of men who
have gone before; instead quiet
home gathering with feast. A spot
less land must yield it's crimson life
blood, the flesh be roast entire and in
turn eaten with bitter herbs in IN.
leavened bread. The observance of
this memorial Was under Divine di-
rection. Hence there was purpose
in it as in all of Gods acts. The
bitter herbs in symbol remind them
afresh of their grievous bondage
AMI the never to be forgotten night
of deliverance. 1t pointed to the
past. The unlesvened bread looked to
the present and told them that
National purify WAS ever the condi'
ton of continued freedom. The
lamb with life taken pointed to the
future and foretold the death OF
spotless lamb-tbe Son Of God. May
not our national flag in embelm re
present these three thoughts, tn,
red the bloody price paid for freedom
! the white the national purity-th'
God ordained condition of continued
freedom and the blue, the eterna
purpose of God for our future well
being. May not this Memorial Day
veterns and friends, be as broad il
its scope as that instituted Of God il
the early dawn of Jewish history.
What a wonderful thing is memory
IL is kind OF storeroom where all o
the treasures Of life are garnered l
we we're to blot out memory, VI
would stand like mass Of idiots los
and helpless. Memory is the carry
ing power OF the soul. Without !
a
ting all that came into il leak out
You veterans today can go back
the old battle grounds. You can .visi
again the teuted fields and nsmip
campfire, the hot dusty road, an
bridgsless streams aud hear the sick
ening roar Of the cannon and susr
the high excitement Of conflict, G
perhaps the quiet place among til
wounded and dying. 1t 10 well to d
so. Your remaining days will
richer and more patriotic.
We do well TO look back aud est
mate the price paid for the liberty "
enjoy. We do well to erect mont
msnts in memory Of those who pal
for our blessings with their ow
blood. While we pause to review II
thinning ranks and look over ShiloI
vicksburgh, Chicamaugua, Bull RI