Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1917-04-26
Patriotic Sermon by
Rev. Gay c. White

Rev. Gay C. White, in his Sunday
evening sermon at the Methodist
church, touched upon the question of
patriotism, averring that while he
was not raising boys for military pur-
poses his country could have them
and use them when necessary for the
preservation OF that liberty for which
our forefathers fought to found upon
American soil a government for the
people and by the people.
Mr.. White said, in part:
South Dakota can help in many
ways, with her vast natural resourc-
es, her stalwart citizenship, her SPLEEN
did facilities. The middle and north
west are far removed from the more
immediate points Of danger, but we
are in the war as definitely as if
We were living on Cape Cod. Their
danger is our danger.
To-day the nation is united. A per
son cannot point to the flag and a
that one star is more loyal than an
other star; but we are likely to forget
how much it cost to keep all those
stars in there. Surely the principles
that were worth fighting for in the
days of Washington and Lincoln are
not wholly worn out"
Mr.. White warmly endorsed the
plans for patriotic day, recommending
that the people spend the day, not in
recreation and jollity, but in solemn
prayer and in community demonstra-
lions of patriotism. He told the story
of his W fathers going to the civil
war, saying that the civil wal veteran
went as prayerfully to the battlefield
as his 0 ever assembled the pulpit
stairs to deliver a sermon. Continuing
he discussed the several phases Of
essential patriotism.
ut is an almost universal emotion
deep and earnest, inspiring men to
noble endeayor. That which is so UNI
yersal and ennobling cannot be other
than the gift of God. How we cherish
the scenes of our childhood, and the
songs of u native land, The Marseil
laise; Italia, Italia; Blue Bells of Scot
land; Rule Brittania; God Save the
King; Die Yacht Am Rhein; Amer.
lea, and the Star Spangled Banner!
The soil, though barren, that nurtur.
ed u parents is dear to our memory
1t gave them their daily bread, it en-.
tered into their bent of character, it
received their hallowed dead. Even
the viands of the old homeland are
dear to us in a distant country.
Patriotism implies protection. A
man is expected to defend his W
home and his own country; for a con.
quered country means a desolate
home. The true Christian must be a
patriot, although, of course, many pa
triots are not protesting Christians.
The best patriotism is Christian. Again
patriotism implies development. We
a e more than defenders; we are CO.
laborers together with God. The pa.
ltriot must develop his community, his
state, his nation. He must encourage
industry, reform, art, justice, educa-
ton, religious freedom, and pure home
life. Merely to defend ones family
the wild cat can do that and we call
instinct. Our constant obligation
is to safeguard and develop the life
of Il nation" =
sifour " skirts are not wholly
clean. We have been too ready to
make money out of it. We have not
been neutral, commercially. We
would have sold to the central powers
as readily as to the triple entente, had
It not been for the British navy
Sc the lawyers got about all OF
the estate. Did Edith get anything??s
aoh. yes; she got n of the law.
yers'-Boston Transcript.
1 EE~H ~ -EIl q - ELHn 49,