Connecticut western news., 1917-05-31
UNION PATRIOTIC SERVICE
Home Guard Listens to Inspiring Ser
 mon at Methodist Church.

By invitation of Rev. A. H. Nesbitb the Canaan Home Guard attended evening service at the Methodist church last Sunday.
 T'he CompaI gathered at the tuwn hall at o'clock for roll call, marching to the church in a body. The center uf the church had been reserved for ahara so that, with the exception of those members who were in the choir, the members of the Guard were seated to- gether.
 Patriotic songs were sung under tho leadership of the mems chorus. Mir. Nesbitt took for his text tie words from 1 Samuel 4:9 "Be struas, quit yourselves like men and ight''. He said in part: We have duty as a nation to establish real, living demo- cracy in the face of a common fee Our country has always stood for peace and democracy
 It is easy to choose the way of ksaH4 resistance, to wash our hands of the sins of others and cry, "See ye to it. '' but tho present situation is not one on which simply to express our views,i it is no time for the use of peaceful methods in dealing with the Devils hordes Knn amuck over Europe. This is no timc for pacitists, for concensus of public opinion. At such time as this the pacifist ranks with the fool and ths stacker.
 Nations that violate the laws of civilization and commit gross crimes against women and children, cannot bw let to pass unchecked in the present world struggle. One nation alone has shown disrespect for the sacred things of God and man. Germany alone hns committed gross crimes against churches and holy men and womens perpetrating . despicable vandalism that belongs 10 tho dark ages of tho world history. Among the crimes far which German Imperialism must sn- swer are, the murder of Edith Cayoi and Captain Fryatt, the inoculation of prisoners with typhoid and tuhercn- losis germs, the sinking of hospital ships, the tarturing of wounded sol diers. tearing down of altar rails and sacred ornaments in the churches, iE one instance taking a life size image of Christ from the cross and crucifytng wounded Canadian Sergeant in iw place, burning houses, mutilatlng women and children, destroying trees. poisoning water supplies, and render ing land useless for generations All in the name of German Kultur which turns all Hell loose to propagate Nna- perialism and Militarism.
 For three years our nation iius stood by patiently watching the shedding of Europe's blood and tears. We have hoped for peace and sought to arbitrat0, but the only answer has been the clash of weapons against our national lif1 Remember the Lusitania.
 The question before us is; What are you willing to do for this great oa1se7 Germany must be crushed forever. We stand with our president in declaring that we have no quarrel with the Ger man people, but we-will fight the pam German propaganda. This nation must stand in line, its sons side by side with the sons of other nations in the work of establishing the worlds peace. ty crushing this most despotic and gigaR- tic enemy of peace. This cause lays claim upon the cooperation of every man, woman and child in our country.
 Our Christian duty is plain, 1t calls for sacrifice; 1t is no time for shirkers, slackers, molly coddles and pacifists. but the times demand men and women of metal. Men who will be strong, qnft themselves like men and fight.
 Let us leave to generations to come Il blessed heritage of peace, lasting peace; 8 peace with honor.