Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-05-30

Who Delivered Memorial Sunday Sermon
at Gardiner.
The church was well filed with the
members of the organizations and their
friends. Decorations of flags and bunt-
Ing with beautiful flowers were taste
fully arranged in honor of the occa
sion.
The Memorial sermon was preached
by Rev. J. r. Clifford. the pastor of the
church. His text was Exodus 12:xxVi
What mean We by this service?" In
his beginning Mr. Clifford related the
story of the first Feast of the Passover
by the children of Israel and how by
obeying the Divine command they were
saved from the scourge. They were
commanded also to keep this feast for
ever unto their children and children's
children. Such feastS and fasts are
kept to remind us of past events and
future glory. Such are memorial days.
Others are our observance of Christ
mas, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July and
Memorial day.
LAS the years sweep by farther from
those years of blood there is a danger
4 that we may become forgetful of the
dangers taught in the past. American
institutions might not be preserved and
the youth of today must be frequently
reminded of them and to appreciate
them and transmit to their posterity
the care of them.
You meet not as men who have not
had enough of war or to stir again in
your hearts feelings of bitterness but
to let those sad recollections be ef-
faced. only as to recall your blessings
more: not to rekindle the feelings of
81 and IS and not to break the peace
which has been obtained The true
soldier not only knows no VITO conquer
but to forgive his enemy. You may
not be able to forget but you may for
give. You have lived to see those be-
come true subjects of the flag and die
in'its defence as eargerly as they were
to tear it down. t .
By this service we mean memorial
for those who fell in defence of their
flag and country. Men good and true,
Gods own noblemen. One-half million
fell that the nation might endure and
the majority neither lived or died in
vain. You are not so filled with grief
as on that first Memorial day as time
has done much to show us also how TO
apprecte that which they have accom-
pished e
BY this service we show the educa-
tive power OF example. The men at
dutys call went forth They taught
lesson of true patriotism which Will
last as dong as time endures.' Their
Sacrificing devotion and its in
huence shall never die The real work
they accomplished made possible the
nf nf els
Or to the men who made the Emancipa-
ton Proclamation possible. They also
saved the country from permanent d.
VISION. The results of their work was
never better seen than today with all
tnis nations growth in territory. pow
ers and wealth. The soldiers of the
Union Army made this possible and
demonstrated the stability of republic
'othe European countries.
We also show by this service an ex-
PRESTON of the American institutions
oy doing honor to those who died de-
iendtng them. 1t is said that the Civil
S. war cost nine billion or dollars But
what is that compared to the shattered
Meath, the million or more lives lost.
we can but appreciate the more that
which has been so dearly purchased.
We should remind ourselves that the
heroes are not all mustered out. May
mey stay long. Many garlands which
should have been given in life are re-
served for Memorial day. We should
saow by kindly words and deeds of love
mat grateful nation cannot do too
'auch for the veterans. A few more
sariands and words of cheer to those
about us.
This service means to express our
sratitude and confidence to the Lord
" Hosts, the God of Battles and who
Sswith us still Meeting on the LORD S
.ay and in the House of God we plain
declare that we recognize him as
uur guide and our faith in him. In the
uark days of the war a constant vol
ume of prayer arose from the churches
~ sad homes for the nations deliverance.
me God of Battles heard Rnd sent US
Me victory and to him ever bring gar
tahus of praise and thanksgiving.