Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-05-29
UNION MEMORIAL
SERVICE AT FIRST
BAPTIST CHURCH
Sunday Evening under Auspices
of Seth Williams Post, No. Is,
Department of Maine, G.. A.
R.-Rev. E. S. Philb roo k
Speaks upon Subject, "The
Supreme Test of Devotion

The Winthrop Street Baptist church
was filled to it's seating capacity Sun
day evening at the union memorial SER
vice held under the auspices of Seth
Williams Post, No. 10, Department OF
Maine G. A. R., and at which very
interesting order Of exercises was car
ried out in an impressive manner.
Promptly at 100 the members of the
Post marched into the church and were
followed by the Henry G. Staples Camp.
No. So, S. of V: Co. NJ. End Regiment,
N. G. S. M; the Seth Williams INDIE
pendent Relief Corps, Seth Williams
National Relief Corps. No. 90; Ladies
Of General Phil Sheridan Circle. No.
5; Ladies of the G. A. r. and the Sons
of Veterans Auxiliary. No. is.
The platform was decorated with
large American flags. The service was
conducted by Rev. E. S. Philbrook of
the church. Rev. H. W. Haines Of the
Unversalist church, Rev. c. G. Mosher
of the Penney Memorial church and
Rev. W. ]. Layton of the Green Street
Methodist church.
Rev. Mr.. Philbrook gave the sermon.
taking for his subject, THE Supreme
Test of Devotion His text was John
1913, Greater love hath no man than
this, that man lay down his life for
his friends He spoke in substance as
follows:
Every nation has it's great memo
rails. Sufferings, deliverances and vic
tories are signalized by fitting cere-
monials upon stated occasions. Thus
the country's noble dead are 1onored
and the memory of their distinguished
deeds is kept green in the hearts Of
the living.
"Livy. the historian, tells us that by
some CONFUSION of nature, a piece Of
ground in the middle of the Roman
forum suddenly sank to a great depth.
The oracles declared that the common
wealth could be perpetuated only by
the sacrifice of the most valuable thing
in the state. Marcus Curtius dressed
himself in full armor, mounted a spir-
tied charger and, in the sight Of great
gathering, plunged into the abyss.
Thereupon, it is said, the chasm closed.
So mighty CONFUSION shook this
country. yawning chasm CAPPED be-
tween the states, which could only be
filled by the most precious thing the
nation had to offer. Lincoln called for
$4,000 volunteers: but before that was
over more than 100000 men had re-
sponded. They stood the supreme test
of devotion, giving time, toll, suffering
and life itself for the freedom and per-
petuity of the Union.
More than half a million men persisted
IN the gigantic struggle, but every man
who went to the front took his life in
his hand. 1t was by the accident of war
or the decree of an over-ruling Provi-
dence that any escaped death. All honor
then, to the men, living and dead, who
had sacrificing part in the great con-
fict. We of the younger generation owe
to them a great debt of gratitude We
have entered into and are now enjoying
the fruits of their sacrfice-a free and
undivided and mighty nation, purified by
fire, enriched by blood and destined to
lead the world. The last 80 years have
seen a great advance in science and dis
covery and in civic and moral reform
"In toll. suffering and death the soldier
of the Union was a type of Christ, the
Lord. His life was battle: His death a
sacrifice.
"All over our land are graves over
which float the colored bits of cloth,
faded and torn by wind and rain. Flow
ers and tears and flags for the Nations
dead; gratitude and loyalty and devotion
for the Son of God, who lives and reigns
as King Of Kings and Lord Of Lords.
During the war President Lincoln OF
ten visited the hospitals in and near
Washington to comfort and cheer his
wounded soldiers. But even he must stop
by the dark river Only Christ, the Sa-
viour.. can see this nation through and
bring us to that land which is fairer than
day