The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-06-03
Address Of Welcome.

the occasion of the gathering of many
children at the church in that place to
commemorate Children's Day. 1t was
submitted for publication some weeks
since, but because of the tax on the
columns of the Banner occasioned by
the publication of so much legal matter,
space could not be given it in previous
issues.-Local Editor
Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls and Boys,
Young Ladies and Young Hen:
l am glad indeed to be with you on
this important occasion. am glad be-
cause it pertains to the worship of God
and to the clarifying of His cause.
An invitation was extended to me by
your worthy pastor to welcome you to
this, what is known as Children's Day.
Yea, you are welcome, welcome; yes,
thrice welcome to come and participate
in this grand and glorious days work.
The beginning of it dates back to the
year of our Lord 1868, and l am OF the
impression it was inaugurated by the
Methodist Episcopal Church, both
North and South. 1t even dates still
further back-to the inspired writings of
that grand old man Matthew. He tells
US that Christ then and there placed his
hand On the little children and blessed
them and he says further, Jesus said,
"Suffer little children, and forbid them
not to come unto me, for of such is the
kingdom of Heaven" Therefore, it is
an evident fact in my mind it originated
from the above quotation. So, also,
you have gathered or assembled here
to-day to receive the blessings of our
blessed Lord and Master of the days of
antiquity. This is indeed a very sacred
occasion. l want to impress upon you
we are not here for play or mockery,
but to praise God for His compassion
and tender mercy shown us during our
everyday life. The Scripture tells US
still further that we should keep clean,
and that cleanliness is the next thing to
| Goodness, and if we expect to be God
like we must keep clean. Now, mind
you, this does not refer to physical
cleanliness alone, or wearing apparel.
Of course you should keep your person
clean, also your clothes, in order that
you may maintain your health and hap
piness; but, my dear children, there is
something far more important than that
your minds should be kept clean and
in tune with the infinite, ever striving
to cope with all Nature-With the" beau
tiful trees and heavy-laden foliage
hanging therefrom and the ever green
carpeting of this glorious earth Of ours
that God gave us to live on. Now then
don't you think you should love God for
the gift of all these glorious things,
your pleasure, joy and happiness. Just
think of the towering mountains, heav-
ing oceans and flowing rivers, the rich
and alluvial lands for cultivation that
we may grow all sorts of fruit, vegeta-
bles, etc.-in fact, everything for ou1
sustenance. That is not all, my dear
children; we should love Him the more
because He first loved us. Just think Of
the sacred ode that reads thus: 30 How
l Love Jesus Because He First Loved
Me-"
And, again, want to call your atten-
ton to another important thing, and
that is inscribed in the 9th chapter Of
Ephesians. 1t reads, "Children, obey
your parents in the Lord, for this is
right. Honor thy father and mother
which is the first commandment with
promise that it may be well with thee
and thou mayest live long on the earth. .
Show me a boy or girl who does moi
honor, respect and obey his father ant
mother, and I will show you one who
is an absolute failure and nonentity
without respect for himself or any one
else. They corrupt and defile every one
who comes in touch with them. On the
other hand, show me one who does
honor, respect, love and obey, and l viii
show you one who is an honor to society
one who will succeed, triumph and sur
mount all difficulties and become a mar
or woman of renown or note.
want to impress upon you the i'm
portance of attending Sunday school ant
church services. You can always lear
something good there that will benefi
you throughout life. Never miss any
: thing that will benefit you. It will teacl
you politeness, grace, and in all proba
) bility save your soul from eternal perdi
ton. Let me beseech you, my young
friends, to get out of that state of leth
argy and dereliction; get forward
march movement on you, soar aloft, lie
your ambitions and aspirations go on
ward and upward, higher and higher
until you reach the topmost pinacl
spiritually, financially and intellectual
ly. Boys, take for your notices, fru
gality, morality, sobriety and fidelity
and success will be yours.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, / wan
to talk to you about sanitation and pro
gress. You may open your eyes az
! ask the question, What is the matte
) with and what has overcome DR.. Bush
Well, | can and will tell you. He ha
been elected health officer, sanitar
. offer, secretary, collector, and is receiv
i ing all the abuse and cursing possibl
from the opponents of health and clean
illness. [ know as well as | know m