The Washington herald., 1909-05-31
TEXT FROM VIRGINIA TOMB
Rev. F. W. johnson breaches Memo
rial Day Sermon.
The Living Dead" the Theme Of His
Remarks 20 a Very Large
Congregation.

The congregation of Grace Baptist
Church, Ninth street and South Carolina
avenue southeast last night filed the
spacious main auditorium OF that church
70 listen % a memorial sermon by the
pastor, Rev. F. w Johnson
There were no floral or other decora-
tons. and while reference was made 10
the national Memorial Day, no sulogy
was pronounced upon the country's dead.
the pastor devoting his remarks 20 The
living dead. which was the theme Of
his sermon. He took for his text John,
ii-z5-15. I am the resurrection and the
life, ne that beIieveth In Ne. though re
were dead. yet shall he live. and who
soever liveth and beueveth IN Me shall
never de"
Dr. Johnson said that - announcing
his purpose 10 deliver q memorial sermon
It was 20 bring % the attention OF bis
congregation more strongly, on the eve
q the great national Memorial Day, the
theme OF Immortality, a subject that
should command the serious attention OF
every living man and woman. and espe-
ciaIly the consideration Of Christians.
Dr- Johnson pointed out that he had
selected his text from the scriptural Sc
lection engraved upon the tomb OF Wash
iuEton at Mount Vernon. which he con
sidered appropriate for the eve Of the
national day set aside 10 honor the he
roes Of the country's wars. He said that
while he accorded all honor 10 the heroes
[ OF the country. he was not disposed 10
set aside that day exclusively 10 the ns-
tons heroes, but felt that in the observ-
ance OF the day all the dead OF our
country should be Included
1t is too beautiful an occasion. said
/ Or. johnson, for Us 70 devote II exclu-
I siveIv 10 the heroes Of our wars. Let Is
/ in its observance pay tribute 10 or pa
( rriots and az the same tine tenderly re-
member those Of our dead who have
I passed beyond who were not fortunate
/ enough 20 have done heroic and patriotic
+ service for our great republic
/ Impressive memorial services were held
/ last night in s.. Mark Lutheran Church
/ commemorative OF the Ifework n the
( church OF members who have died in The
I last five years.
/ The pastor. Rev. J. Luther Frantz, wh0
/ has been stationed az this church during
the period the memorial services COW
cred. preached the sermon The sermon,
while not Specifying by name any Of
I the members o. the congregation whc
I have died during the pGstOrate of tne
/ speaker, was OF a general nature. treat
/ ing of the Christian lives OF the departed
/ men nd women who had IN so large a
! measure contributed by their lives and
I daily example Of living 50 much u The
+ good Of mankind duri3g their lives. and
! left behind them a Cody influence that
! tends 10 make the world better
/ The sermon was listened TO by large
/ CONGREGATION. There were no floral dec
! o-ations on the altar OF chancel, and no
attempt 70 display the national colors N
/ honor OF the heroes OF the civil war who
WILL be honored so generally to-day.
/ This memorial service will be made an
annual Observance OF the church a
( feature OF the musical programme was q
{ solo by Miss Florence Noack soloist OF
the chcir. and a violin solo by Frank II
Howard