Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1908-05-28
VETERANS ATTEND
divine Service

ueieBaton VI Oons OF veterans, IN
J body marched to Pine Street Lutheran
church Sunday morning where they
| listened to memorial sermon preach
ed by the pastor, the Rev. LLOYD W.
Walter. The discourse very
able and appropriate one, which from
the beginning 10 the end held the
close attention Of the veterans.
The text was found in Ephesians
6-13: Wherefore take unto you the
whole armor Of God, that ye may be
able to Withstand in the evil way and
having done all TO stand. > Also the
latter part OF the 4th verse 2nd chap
ter of Isaiah: Nation shall not lift
up sword against nation, neither shall
they learn war any more
The theme was Heroic Defense. "
Following is synopsis of the sermon {:
Addressing the veterans of the grand
army or the Republic the speaker be-
gam 1T is with misgivings that l
stand before you. Many of the truest
lessons Of life are learned best through
the painful process of experience. The
years which have piled themselves up
on you have not been barren years.
Each year has brought its full quota
of joy and sorrow. Each has been preg-
nant with rich lessons and this morn
ing as l address myself to this task l
might we'll be silent and listen with
uncovered head to the tale Of the years
over which some grey old veterans
life has spread.
You have not come here because
you suffered hardships, because you
answered the call of the bugle in the
early hours of the morning, because
you marched to the beat of the rolling
drum, because you honored the folds
of the nations banner, which waved
over you, nor yet because you fought
for your country and your homes. You
have come here because you saw blood
flow freely and because those comrades
who bivsucked with you, who shared
the meagIe rations, who took your
place on duty when you were tired,
who gave you to drink the last drop
of water from their ca9teens when
your lips were parohed; you have come
because they are asleep. You are here
because Of broken friendships, because
of broken loves, because the ranks are
shattered and torn. You are here be-
cause the roll call has been dipsensed
with since so few answer to their
names
1t is right and fitting that on this
Sabbath morning, as is your yearly
custom that you should march TO the
house of God with your flag at half
mast, with your heads uncovered, and
with muffled step and there in men,
ory of those whom you "have loved
long since and lost awhile, that you
hold communion with God, who rules
battles and guides nations. You have
not come TO think of bloodshed, of war
and carnage. You have come 20 talk
Of peace, to honor those who have fred
their last shot, who have done their
last picket duty, who have answered
to the last marching orders What de-
serving tribute can we bring TO them?
Shall we say that they were brave,
that they fought at Bloody ANGLE"
that they were firm under the swelter-
ing fire of Cold Harbor? that they
died as they leaped the stone wall at
Fredericksburg?
But since then you have had time
for sober thinking and your hearts are
large enough and your minds are broad
enough to understand that there were
brave men, dressed in grey, who fought
at Bloody Angle, at Cold Harbor
and Fredericksburg.
'You suffered and endured hard
ships, hunger and the ravage of dis
ease your lives were given a willing
sacrifice for Gods truth in vouchssting
freedom and liberty to every des ble
citizen under the protection me
stars and stripes. We honor you and
ShaAl OllCi4 4si III "hdt iIdS
come into our p, session as blessings
from your lives. We love you because
you handed down to your children
free and united country. 1t does not
come to us as heritage Of luxury for
enjoyment. 1t comes as a heritage to
be cherished and fostered with equal
vigilance. 1t is for us to develop. to
enlarge, to purify, to mould, to shape,
to preserve, to maintain.
The war is over, but the fighting
is not through. The cannon are sink
ing into the sod the heavy artillery is
melting away, the clang Of the sword
the rattle of musketry, the champing
Of the war steed has given way to
times of peace. Nevertheless, the
skirmishing is not over; we must yet
contend. Paul knew this Where
fore take unto you the whole armor of
God that ye may be able to Withstand
in the evil day and having done all
to stand. This fighting must be done
single handed and alone. OF the real
ity of this enemy I need not speak.
No man can tell you Of the wonderful
struggles that you have had with him.
Your temptations are yours. Your