The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-11-26


same sphere of business and politics.
And there is none that is apter, if
a man be true to his principles, to
develop the strongest and noblest
character, the finest heroism, the
truest sainthood. These are the new
quests for the new knights of to-
day, infinitely better than a crusade
for the rescue of the holy sepulchre
from the hands of the inf1del. This
then is the call the church should
lift up with trumpet voice in the
ears of her youth.
God give us men; times like these
demand
Strong minds, great hearts, true
faith, and ready hand
Men whom the lust of Office does not
kill,
Men whom the spoils of office can
not buy.
Men who possess opinions and a will
Men who have honor-men who will
not lie
Men who can stand before a dema-
gogue
And down his treacherous batteries
without winking.
Tall men-sun-crowned who live
above the clouds,
In public duty and in private think
ing"
Here then lies the searching and
final test of our modern Christianity.
Can it produce such men to-day?
Can it produce to-day the type of
Christian who shall meet the needs
of this age; the man of solid con-
science who rings true whenever
you strike him? 1t is for us each to
answer that question. There is no
greater question before the church
to-day than this-America must be-
come the ideal nation, that the ideal
may sweep the world up to God.
We owe our country the best we
can possibly give. At the West Point
Centennial observances, General Por-
ter, in addressing the class about to
go forth, said: "In closing, let me
mention by way of illustration a
most touching and instructive scene,
which Itonce Witnessed at the annuar
meeting, in the great. hail OF the
Sarbo1ne, In Paris, for the purpose
Of awarding medals Of honor to those
swho had formed acts of conspicu-
Gus bravery in saving human lives at
y tieals eyed boEsc Of seeyoeIS,
SGlis
form. The story was recounted' of
how one winters night, when a fierce
tempest was raging on the ruae
Normandie coast, he saw signals of
distress at sea, and started with his
father, the captain of small vessel,
and the mate to attempt a rescue. A
wave washed the father from the
deck. The boy plunged into the
seething, foaming, raging sea to
save him, but his attempt was in
vain and the father persisted. The
lad struggled back to the vessel to
find that the mate had been swept
overheard. Then lashing himself
fast, he took the wheel and guided
the boat with it's cargo Of precious
human souls throughout the howl
ing storm safely into port. The
minister of public instruction, after
paying a touching tribute to the
boys bravery, in voice broken with
emotion, pinned the medal to his
breast, placed in his hands a diploma
of honor and then seized the brave
lad in his arms and imprinted kiss
on each cheek. For a moment the
boy seemed daZed, not knowing
which way to turn, as he stood there
with the tears streaming down his
hro oh rrYhi1 tn
that vast audience wept in sympathy.
Suddenly his eyes turned toward his
old peasant mother, she to whom he
owed his birth and his training, as
she sat at the back of the platform
with bended form and wearing her
widows cap. He rushed to her,
took the medal from his breast and
casting it and his diploma into her
lap, threw himself on his knees at
her feet.
Men of West Point" said Gen.
Porter, 'in the honorable career
which you have chosen, whatever
laurels you may win, always
be ready to lay them at the feet of
your country, to which you owe your
birth and your education"
In speaking of the cathedral of
our national life, Ambassador White
said: DAY by day the structure
rises, its foundations-great truths,
far more lasting than mere granite;
its pillars great rights, far more
beautiful than mere prophesy; its
roof, great hopes. swelling higher
than any dome of bronze and gold.
And from it's summit shall come
light, beaming brighter, flashing
farther than any that ever flung into
Serf's eyes from crown diamonds;
for it shall reflect that light of lib
erty and justice which cometh
from the very throne of the Almigh-
ty. All the blessings of our free in
stitutions are ours because our nation
has been true to high ideals-has
suffered and sacrificed that she might
be true to high ideals. We stand
N