Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1911-06-02
DECORATED TIE GRAVES
6. A. r., W. r. c. and Citi-
Zens Observe Men,
oral Day

s4s ~Sy
The local post of the u. A. R. and
the Women's Relief Corps assembled
in body at the Congregational:church
last Sunday evening for the Memorial
Sunday sermon, which was delivered
by Rev. r. b. Walker of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church. Taking as his
text a verse from Isaiah They shall
beat their swords into plough shares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against
nation, neither shall they learn war
any more. Rev. Walker gave a very
able and interesting talk on the civil
war, its high purpose, its heroes and
its attainments.
He stated that history was not a
mausoieum where dead men we're
buried but a store. house for the
preservation OF the choicest spirits,
deeds and thoughts of the age for the
men of tomorrow. It was necessary
that the nations youth should look
upward toward the illustrious masters
and models. Our nation has not only
heroes but savlours. who saved from
destruction the greatest of nations,
and Memorial day was day when the
nation gathered at the graves of the
nation sleeping heroes and review the
nobility of their sacrifice. The speaker
stated that though history s pages were
stained with the blood of MARTYRS to
religion. it was not to be compared
with the sacrifice of those who fell to
save a nations honor, and that the sur
viving members of the q. A. r.
should receive due recognition for the
part they took in it.
The debt OF the nation to the fallen
heroes was the enlarged nation, indus.
trial stimulus. and the humanizing of
the world. The years from 1860 to
1870 marked an epoch of social pro-
gress ana concerned the destiny of the
world. The civil war was war of
principles, and was civilizing in it's
effects; a struggle between right and
wrong.
Our fathers of the revolution died
for liberation from barbarism of the
past and from the grasp of tyranny
and for the attainment of freedom.
That war established nations prin-
ciples, justice, liberty and kindness.
Later these principles became enslaved
and the nations life was threatened,
and it was for the saving of it that the
heroes marched to war and for four
long years the roar of battle and the
tramp of mighty host shook the con.
tinent to bring back the nations be-
loved. Today these principles are the
champions of the nations progress and
the foundation stones tor its prosper
ity, which is due to the heroic men,
their wives, mothers. sisters and
sweethearts.. The nation shall not for
get their sacrifice when the last has
gone to the grave, and memorial dav
will be kept more sacred as years
roll on.
Those who gave themselves to the
nation under the leadership of Lincoln
had no thought Of material things. It
was not so, the speaker added, that
the nation is wholly materialistic
and given to self and plunder nor will
it as long as American spirits sur
vive. This nation has never fought
for gain of territory, but instead has
opened its doors to the world and Of
fered political freedom. religious toler.
alton, happiness, prosperity and peace.
he said we owed this, our glory, to
the heroes Of the civil war.
The loss of public vitue, the spread
of falsehood, the reign of treachery
and the depreciation of manhood are
enemies Of a nations highest welfare,
and war as the only and ultimate
means of their elimination Rev.
Walker claimed is honorable, glorious
and heroic.
He stated that the dawn of the full.
fillment of the prophecy of Isaiah for
universal peace was showing itself.
and he hailed the heroes of the civil
war as heralds of that peace.
Many nations problems are yet IN.
solved, the heroic age has not1 passed,
and men and women are called to
enlist under the banner of truth
through the ballot, personal influence,
propagation of Christian ethics and
build q nations future.
The speaker concluded his sermon by
stating that we should heed the call
of God to the establishment of His
Kingdom on earth.
Mr.. Vernon said in part. This is
the sacramental day of the nation, the
day that commentaries the successful
termination of it's great crisis AS an
eloquent orator has said, It is day
sacred to those who kept this flag
above our heads, SCARED to the living
and the dead, sacred to the sacred and
the MANNED, sacred to the wives who
gave their husbands, to the mothers
who gave their sons.'
He then reviewed briefly the pro-
gress of the war of the Rebellion, re-
counting the circumstances that at
first made it appear very doubtful
whether so powerful and united a Re-
belion could be put down.