The Mena weekly star., 1913-06-05

On the old earthen battlements. the trees are growing and spreading their green foliage to the morning light. and the forest warblers are neSisng among the boughs.
 The Union that was divided is a Union again. A nation of liberty loving people, whose hearts are the nations in love, and whose hands are here for service. And thus, when on next Friday the graves of the boys who wore the blue will be decorated with flowers, the symbols of love, and flags, the symbol of union, remember the boys who wore the gray and scatter flowers upon their graves and plant a flag upon their silent mOunds-nOt that the issues which arrayed the gray against the blue were right. but be- cause he whose shrOud was gray was a brave man, fighting for what he thought to be his best interests. and because those who once, in the midst of the battles storm. were ar rayed against each other. are now united. And may the pure mantle of Christ's love permeate every breast.
 Scatter your flowers alike today. Over the graves of the Blue and the
 Gray.
 Time has healed all the Nations
 scars,
 Peace has hushed all the noise of
 war;
 And North and South and East and
 West,
 There beats but one heart in the
 Nations breast.
 The grass is green and the flowers
 bloom,
 Alike upon the soldiers and sailors
 tomb;
 So scatter your flowers alike today. Over the Blue and over the Gray.
 But aside from those who have fallen asleep, whose bodies are mouldering back to native soil, be- meath the sod of the valley, there are others who have claim to our remembrance. Not all the heroes were slain in battle. Many of the boys, for boys they are and always will be in the Nations memory. can no longer keep step to the music of fife and drum. for the crutch and cane refuse to march on time. or to be thrilled by the strains of mar tial music that stirs the soul. There may be some of you here today who gave to the Union all the strength and health and vigor of your manhood; who have not real ly got rested since you took that long tramp with sherman to the sea. or with Banks to the red river: or who took part in that daring and intrepid charge under Hooker up Lookout Mountain. the far-famed battle above the clouds. or in rout- ing the enemy from their strong po- sition on Missionary Ridge.
 But oh. we pray, as you gave your lives and willing service to your country. you will remember Jesus Christ gave his willing service and shed his precious blood that you might be saved and enter into that eternal rest beyond the river, where the drums call not to battle and where war can never molest.
 Old comrades, soldiers. brothersl Your ranks are thinning rapidly. The report of James L. Davenport is that the total number of Civil war veterans living February 2S, 1913. was 476,l7O and the number of deaths in February was 3,0Si. or about loo per day. Over four per hour died in March.
 Soon the last bugle call will sound. Soon the last roll call will be made, and oh, may you wear the glorious armor of God over the regimental blue. Put on the hel- met of salvation, the breast-plate of righteousness. Take the sword of the spirit, with the Lords of Hosts as your commander, and un-.l der the blood-stained banner of King Emmanuel. go forth to fight and win the final victory.
 None of you are too old to enlist in the service of Jesus. No matter how old or Wrinkled, Jesus has a place for you. If you will, he will save you. The contest will not be long and the victory is sure if you trust in the Lord of Hosts; and it will be much more grand and glo- rious than Gettysburg, oF the con- quest on Lookout. or the surrender at AppomattoX. Yes. after the marching and toiling and battles of l life are ended you can shout . Victory victory" as you hang your battered armor on the walls of i Zion.
 A train-load of old veterans were | going to an annual reunion in Ili- nois. They were singing old war songs and having a good time gen. erally. Someone asked, why are you so happy?' They replied, We | are going to our yearly encamp- ment, and oh, we have such good | times, such greetings and fellow ship; such blessed brotherhood | when we get together! We sing all the way there and shout all the | way back"
 Said the questioner: Men. I re- iOIrp with NO1l fhank God for v-o,,p