Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-26
annual SERMON
TO VETERANS OF
The CIVIL WAR
Rev. Otis G.. Dale of Central
Presbyterian Church Pays
Tribute to Heroes.
SERVICES ARE IMPRESSIVE
Priceless Heritage of Free institutions
Handed Down From the Past
Must Be Preserved.

In an unusually interesting service. |
veterans of the Civil war listened yes
terday morning to the annual memo
rial sermon given at Central Presby-
terrain church by Rev. Otis G.. Dale.
There was large attendance, not only
of the patriotic bodies, but of citizens
generally
Members of John Buford post No
243 gathered at 10 o'clock at Memorial
hall and marched in a body to the
church. The Spanish-American war
veterans, Company A, w. R. c., Ladies
of the G. A. R., and Helen Gould auXil-
larry to S. w. ", opened ranks and
allowed the G. A. R. men to march
through into the church, where special
seats had been reserved in front. The
church was prettily decorated for the
occasion with old glory much in evil
dence. The church choir rendered
special music.
Rev. Dale used as his theme Our
Debt to the Men Who Saved the
Union" He took his text from |.
Samuel 1923: so Jehovah saved Is
rael that day and the battle PASSED on
to Beth-aven." In his introduction he
said:
IN the providence of the God of ma
tons and of all history, there is a
time for war, and He becomes the
God OF battle. Throughout the course
OF human events a ceaseless purpose
runs-We cannot yet read its full
meaping; the records CT the past spell
1t out but family still-that it is a
definite, bereficent purpose for the up
lifting of the whole race becomes more
and more evident as We watch history
in the making. And in the accomplish
ment of this great central purpose God
sometimes has use for war. What He
cannot do for men and with men
through peace, He must accomplish
by war"
Continuing, he said: Our debt to
the men who saved the union cannot
be reckoned up in the figures which
measure the material and economic
benefits which have followed. It is
true there have been. 1t must be
viewed from the standpoint of his
.
then did a work not alone for them
selves and the nation, but for the
world and for all time.
OTHERS LIBERATED.
THE successful issue of the war oil
: 1s61-G5 made possible the liberation Of
Cuba and the Philippines and made
E possible Our present influence il
: China, Japan, Russia and Turkey We
have become the dominant power fol-
Righteousness among the nations. Now
Te are assuming active and powerful
leadership in the most significant
movement Of all history-the demand
for worldwide peace.
The value of all this to the present
> and future generations is still beyond
, our full comprehension. But it woult
have all been spoiled in the making
had not you men stepped forward a.
the call of God and the country in the
>. greatest crisis Of the centuries Bu
we who have entered into the priceless:
heritage secured by the faithfulnes!
of our fathers cannot discharge oul
debt to these men, either in eulogie'
: or appreciation or enjoyment of tn,
! blessings. Something more is requir
{ ed of u.s. God wrought not this Worl
u for us alone. His far-off purpose still
l. awaits fulfllment We owe it allow
{ all things to the men who wrought, 70
h us at such cost to preserve inviolat
+ the freedom and rights they saved 70
l. us-and TO carry forward TO a gloriou
l. contamination the work of God for tn
uplifting and freeing of all men every
where. The dangers that today threat
en- the stability of our free institU
E lions and the wrongs that cry to Go
II for remedy amongst us are all too ev
II dent and common to need repetition
y No easy optimism or snug concei
h should be allowed to blind US TO then
n Civic corruption, political graft, socia
D. istic anarchy, capitalistic greed an
lie oppression are eating at the vitals c
d our free institutions. IT. is as true Il
o. day as when Lincoln first said w
r shall nobly save or meanly lose tn
E. last best hope OF earth
n PRINCIPLES SURVIVE.
y Our fittest memorial, therefore, I
the men who saved and transmitted t
us the priceless heritage or the father:
is not the stone. or iron, or brass W
= erect over their graves, nor the flow
e ers We strew over their resting place
e tender and fitting as this is, nor III
r memorial services we hold for thos
y still living. But to incarnate ip GU
ii lives the principles by which and &c
which they fought and died. Remen
Al bering their leaving home and love
ores, let us love home better. Remen
bering their sacrifice of comfort an
fortune, let US pay the price. Remen
bering their heroism in the cause {
"a right. let Us stand unfiinchingly for III
t. rights of men IN social, political an
IS industrial life. Remembering the