Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1910-02-24

character, set high standard for Am
erican citizenship, but not too high. The
private citizen, emulating his virtues,
will be a better citizen. Those who
would qualify for public service or pri-
vate usefulness, should lay foundation
in the bedrock of massive manhood and
stainless character Washington be-
comes the ideal citizen for all future
time.
We cannot in this brief discourse mar
rate in detail the events and labors of
his life. With these everyone is more or
less familiar. We have been centering
our gaze upon the character of the man,
rather than upon his achievements, for
it was out of the man that went forth in
fluence, force, nation-conquering power,
nation-constructive genius These things
flowed from out of himself like as the
stream flows from its fountain head.
And everywhere, and in every position,
great or small, which he held, fidelity to
that position or post of duty marked the
man; whether as a boy in the West Ind
les nursing his sick and dying uncle, ad-
ministrator of his uncle's estate, as sur
veyor of lands, as young soldier carry
ing message from Governor Dinwiddie
to the French on the Ohio river, haz-
through the wilderness, as member of
the House of Burgesses, as commander
in-chief of the Continental army during
the war of the Revolution, or as presi-
dent, for two terms, of the newly organ
lied United States of America, fidelity
everywhere and always characterized
his career. Fearlessly and conscientious
ly were the tasks of his life performed.
The term was not misapplied when the
patriots OF Boston addressed him as "his
Excellency."
Last, but not least, he was Christian.
One of the rules he adapted for his moral
guidance was, Labor TO keep alive in
your breath that little spark of celestial
fire called conscience"
While in command he put the ban on
whiskey, gambling and profanity, in the
army, for he said, Eve can have but
little hope of the blessing of God upon
our undertaking if we insult him with
blasphemies and vices" He was man
OF prayer and of profound faith in God.
Lincoln was man of prayer During
the dark days of the Rebellion it was
not an unusual occurrence for him to
leave his seat with the Cabinet, and TAX
lag his well-worn Bible, retire to a pri-
vate room for prayer
General Gordan, one of England's s
noble soldiers, was man of prayer. A
half-hour each morning he reserved for
private devotions in his own tent. Dur
ing this period a handkerchief lay on
the ground outside the Generals tent.
By that sign, which every soldier re.
spected, all knew that their commander
was talking to his God. So General
Washington prayed. During that long
and dreadful winter of 1777 while in
winter-quarters with his army, at Valley
Forge, he had his place of prayer out
under the forest trees. His was Christ
patriotism, the kind our country most
needs to-day.
If into the young manhood of our
country therefore, is instilled Christian
patriotism-a patriotism which puts God
and country first, patriotism that
that will purify politics, protect the
sancity of the home, and the noble in
stitutions of our government; a patriot
ism that will provide for the education
of every child under the care and pro-
lection of our flag, a patriotism which
will protect the Chstirian church and free
dom of worship in every part of the land,
patriotism entwined about the Cross
of our Lord Jesus Christ, seeking his
glory and the worlds redemption
through his suffering and death, who
must ever stand as the worlds greatest
Hero and the worlds best Friend, then
we shall have a patriotism which will
make our Nation safe. Such was the
patriotism of the illustrious parsonage
whose character and work has claimed
our attention at this time, as we cele-
brate again the anniversary of his bir tn,
Our country calls for the patriotism of
every man, woman and child, which,
next to the love of Creator, is love of
country.
You, my brothers, members of this
Order, welcome you in body to this
service tonight. welcome you as
body of Christian patriots, whose ideal
patriot is George Washington, for whom
your Camp is named Patriotic Order
Sons of America, Washington Camp,
Number 382. Your declaration of prin-
ciples elicits highest commendation. As
an Order you stand for Patriotism,
Education, Fraternity" and your OBJ
jects are the inculcation of pure Ameri
can principles and the spirit of loyalty
to American Institutions; the cultivation
of fraternal affection; the protection of
our public school system, and the con-
servation of the Constitution of the
United States. What could be more
commendable? Being strong and
NUMEROUS body throughout the land
you cannot fail in making your infiu-
ence felt along the lines indicated, if
concentrated and properly directed
May the heartstrings of all Ameri-
can citizens be entwined around our
countrys' flag, and the Holy Bible,
emblem of our independence, and key
stone of our American liberties
THE BANQUET.
Tuesday evening, February 22nd,
Washington @ mp, No. 3S2, P. o s
A., completed the plans m. de by them
to perpetuate the memory of the i'm
mortal Washington, by giving ban
quet for the members of the Camp and
a few invited guests at The Warner.
w Scott Sterner, acting as Master of
Ceremonies, made few remarks and