The Washington herald., 1908-06-22

Fifty members OF the Survivors As
ISOLATION OF the District of Columbia
Volunteers OF 1861 assembled at the Nc
Kendree NJ f. Church. Massachusetts
avenue near Ninth street northwest, last
evening TO pay tribute to their departed
brothers and 70 listen to words OF praise
by Rev. r. L. Wright. d. d., pastor.
The services were simple, but signih-
cant OF the purpose for which the large
audience gathered. The veterans, who
were the first to defend the National
Capital In the civil war. silently con-
CURED in the praises heaped upon their
fallen brothers by raverently bowling
their heads.
March Into the Church.
Amid the strains OF Onward, Chris
tian Soldiers" the old soldiers marched
into the church at the beginning of the
services. After preliminary prayers and
hymns. W. II. Braund. president Of the
association. made a speech. explaining
the motives that prompted the memorial
J. d. Ford was introduced TO read
the names of those who have died within
the past year. The roll-call Of those who
have answered the last summons was
the principal part OF the ceremonies
Rev. Or. Wright began his sermon by
welcoming the veterans 20 the church
on behalf OF the congregation. He said,
in part: I'VE deem # appropriate that
you should assemble for worship at this
season of the year, when the public
heart turns almost instlnCtively TO the
spot where sleeps our patriotic dead For
another winter has lifted its icy clutch
from the form of nature. The warm
sunshine OF spring again brings Joy and
life into the world The majestic
mountains again wear their lovely robes
OF tender foliage, and the valleys wave
with rich. dark grain. 4ne songs OF the
birds from the tree tops ill the air with
strains Of sweetest music, and on every
hand are the evidence of life and JOY.
But In the midst Of these impressions
there comes rushing in upon MS the re-
membrance OF friends. loved ones and
comrades who once enjoyed these scenes
with US. Their hearts once thrilled with
the same impulses that stir Us to-day.
Could they but stand by our side to-
night their whole being would respond
with the same deep, subtle. and indescrib-
able influences that take possession Of as.
Your presence In this house of GOD
this evening testiics that while the Grim
Reaper In the last year had made vacan-
cies In your ranks, II did not make vaean-
cies IN your hearts. Your homage shows
that your comrades dead stN live IN
loving memory; that though dead, they
are still your brothers, and that you were
bound together by the common link Of
patriotism and love of country
Heart that Does Not Thrill.
'Duu and insensible IN the extreme is
the heart that does not thrill with true
patriotism as We contemplate our na-
tIonal greatness and Gods proyidential
leadership over us. We believe our Ameri- |
can people need but little eXhortauon
along this line. It seems TO be innate in
the heart Of every son Of American soil
know Of no country that eXcels ours
in true devotion to national institutions.
There seems TO be something in the vast
extent of our territory, in the pure free
dom of her very atmosphere that fills
each breast with the breath Of patriotism.
Like the giant oaks that cover the
mountain sides and send their roots down
between huge powders until they are fast
ened 20 the granite pillars Of the everlast-
ing hills. so the principles of patriotism
have imbedded their roots in the depths Of
honest hearts until Il stands a bulwark
against every enemy in the world. IL Is
these principles Of patriotism that have
ever kept a multitude Of men such as
YOU gathered here tonight ready at a
moments notice TO obey your country
call FOR volunteers
Perhaps we are safe in saying that
outside OF the religion Of Christ, pa
triotism is the strongest impulse that ever
takes possession of the human heart.
Patriotism and the love Of country are
closely related 10 religion. The man who
truly loves his country will have some
lust appreciation Of God as the Supreme
Ruler and head of the nation.
a man is not patriot simply because
he gets drunk on election day. and hur
rahs for his political party or candidate.
He no doubt feels patriotic, but feelings
are sometimes deceptive. Some men are
filled with the excitement of a political
parade or campaign, and they march and
hurrah to the swell of martial music
and think their souls are consumed with /
patriotism. The probability is they have |
mistaken politics for patriotism. and all |
politics is not patriotic. True patriotism |
forgets self. fOrgets party, fOrge.s |
honor, forgets spoils. IL lays all these |
a sacrifice upon the altar Of the country. /
That kind Of politics. which IS simply |
a scramble for Office and spoils, which /
reaches the goal Of selfish ambition by |
wading neck deep in tho mire Of political |
dishonesty, is not patriotism although the |
populace shouts itself hoarse over the /
victories.
Religious Patriotism.