The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-07-03
DEAN BOWLING
ON PATRIOTISM
SPLENDID SERMON PREACHED
YESTERDAY MORNING AT cETH.
sEMANE CATHEDRAL ON A
TIMELY ToPIc--A PROPHECY
AND ITS FuLFILLMENT.

For the theme Of his sermon. al
Gethsemane cathedral yesterday morn
ing, Dean Bowling took, World EN-
bracing Patriotism. and used for his
text, Galatians v: IS, Brethren, Ye
have been called unto liberty.
After citing the gigantic strides OF
progress taken within the compare
lively brief period since the signing OF
the Declaration of independence, 1876
years ago, as related to the long his
tory of the world, Dean Bowling said
the life Of the country has been won
derfully FULFILL to overfiowing, and
productive of marvellous results.
ITO every loyal American one day
stands out prominently in all the list
of holidays On Tuesday we are to
celebrate Independence day - the
Fourth Of July, las 1t is popularly
called), is observed in every part OF
the union as one of the great DIS
tinctive national holidays" said the
dean. This is as it should be, be-
cause this day beyond question cele-
brates one Of the most, If not the most
important event in the history of the
United States.
1T is privilege and duty that the
American people should celebrate the
anniversary of an event so vitality inn
portant to them. At the time of the
passing Of the act OF independence,
John Adams, who had long favored the
independence of the colonies, even
when 1t was believed to be a most UNI
wise and extreme measure wrote a let
ter that has become historic. / am apt
to believe, he wrote, that it(theday)
to believe he wrote, that 1t (the day(
will be celebrated by succeeding gem
erations as the great anniversary fes-
rivals. 1t ought to be commemorated
as the day of deliverance, by solemn
acts Of devotion to God Almighty. 1t
ought to be solemnized with pomp and
parade, with shows, games, sports,
guns, bells, bonfires, and Examinations
from one end of this continent to the
other from this time forward for ever
more
These words have proved prophetic.
We may be grateful that there is today
a happy change of sentiment condemns
ing the emphasis upon the lighter part
of the prophecy. There has been a
danger lest the solemnity of the fes-
tival might be forgotten and the pat
riotic joy and thankfulness relegated
to obscurity. ! think that danger is
past
This day is patriots day. 1t is a
day for the stimulating of a noble SEN
timent. Patriotism has been called the
noblest sentiment that enters the hui
man heart. While / believe it is a
noble virtue, I am tempted to believe
difficulty might be encountered in es-
tablishing so comprehensive a claim,
yet it is truly a tremendously big SEN
timent. Patriotism is loyalty to prin-
ciple. True patriotism is based on hon
esty, truthfulness, generosity, self-sac-
rihce, and genuine love OF freedom,
that is why 1t is a great big moving
sentiment Sometimes its exhibitions
are sublime Rising above partisan
ship, 1t is a challenge to men to bring
forth what is best in themselves to
promote the worlds well-being. There
is such thing as a, World Embrac-
ing Patriotism. 'Ye have been called
unto liberty to give that liberty to the
world. Patriotism shuts the door to
selhshness in whatever form it knocks
at the door Of mans life. The christian
church in America has a definite share
In our national celebration. The best
citizen is a man of God, who recog-
nizes Him. Men Of this stamp have
been and are the country's boast. To
God we give the glory. Without God
nothing of what we value today could
have been. without God there could
have been neither nation nor nations
birthday. 1t is He that hath made and
kept us one.
History is not made without God.
His hand is in 1t. And the man who
loves God is the better citizen. Our
patriotism must be world embracing
virtue, 1t will begin in the home, 1t
will 90 out and out in all the activities
that make us responsible men to city,
country, to the world, and to the I'M
seen God. We have been called unto
true liberty. Each step today taken in
the light under the guidance Of honor
and truth prepares for smoother and
broader way tomorrow. They have
rights who dare maintain Them said
James Russell Lowell. That is the
epigrammatic story of our country's
history. Prophetic, yes. And as the
years roll on, new occasions will teach
new duties. The futures portals will
open widest when we become patriots
Of the world, loving all and living in
the spirit Of our common brother
hood"