Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-19

an example given by Gautama the
Buddha-all of these trees OF life, all
of these civilizations rise and fall, ma
ture and decay, ripen and die. And
in the place where the tree falls there
shall it lie.
But there is one civilization on eth
er side Of that long, mighty river of
the centuries-there is one tree of life
on this side Of the river and on that;
and the leaves of the tree are for the
healing of the nations-there is one
civilization which is unique, which
stands in a class by itself. 1t is the
Christian civilization. 1t begins with
the simple, pastoral life in a garden,
and ends with the exalted. celestial life
in a city. And. as it stretches through
the long span OF the ages, it rises, but
it never falls; it natures, but it never
decays; it ripens, but it never dies;
it is built up, but it is never broken
down. 1t takes the ruins of the past
and builds them into a foundation for
the future; it takes the stone which
the builders rejected, and makes it the
chief stone of the corner. 1t has with
in it the redeeming power, not of law
given by Moses; not Of an ideal given
by Plato; not of a patriotism given by
Caesar; not of a golden rule given by
Confucius; not of an example given
by Gautama the Buddha-all of these
powers are real redemptive forces; but
they wear themselves out; they be
come dissipated; they lose their mo-
mentum. But Christianity has within
it the redeeming power of personal
ity given by Jesus Christ He is the
first and the last, and the Living One :;
who was dead, and behold He is alive
forever more. He restoreth my
soul"
When about the year 1888 all the
religious denominations in Rock Is
land worshipped by common consent
in school house which stood on the
corner of Third avenue and Thirteenth
street; and, though they were minis
tered unto, first by a Mr.. Stuart, who
claimed to be phrenologist, and who
afterwards became a Swedenborgian
preacher; then by a Mr.. Hummer, who
professed to ba a Spiritualist; yet
there was introduced into the life OF
our city this redeeming power OF
Christianity-the redemptive force OF
a sublime personality. And | look up
on the blockhouse of old Fort Arm
strong, which has been restored on
the original site, and which will be re-
dedicated tomorrow morning at 1C
o'clock look upon it as monument
to the heroism, the patriotism, the
spirit OF adventure, of sacrifice. OF
abandon of those faithful Christians
who fought the good fight, who fin
lshed the course, VINO kept the faith
those consecrated souls whose utter
confidence and devotion was attracted
and commanded by the sublime person
ality of Jesus Christ To our rising
generation and to all our incoming
citizens. as we'll as to the old settlers
and pioneers still living-to all who
pass by and look upon the restored
blockhOuse, every stone in its founda-
ton should be sacred sign; every log
in its walls holy symbol: and every
| tile on its roof divine emblem of the
spiritual life proceeding from the sub
lime personality of Jesus Christ, who
| is the first and the last and the Liv-
! ing One; who was dead, and behold
He is alive forever more.
He restoreth my soul" His power
never becomes dissipated; it never
wears itself out; it never loses its
momentum. In every signal revelation
of redeeming love; in every mighty
reformation of morals and religion; in
every great revolution like a thunder
| storm, sweeping away the evil to make
way for the good-in all of these His
power is felt, His glory is manifested
His majesty is seen. And there car
never be a reaction in the life of our
city back to the paganism and heath
| enism of the Indian life of 100 years
ago SO long as He restoreth my soul.