Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-03-20
MEMORIAL NOTE.

afternoon, following the dinner at the
Relief Corps headquarters.)
Dear Comrades of the G. A. r. and
Sisters OF the w. r. c.:
How beautifully true the old famil-
lar words: up to that city where
falleth no night. the dear ones are
gathering home"
We herewith offer memorial tribute
of love and reverence to those dear
ones of the G. A. r. and w. r. G. cir
cles who have recently or within the
last autumn and winter months been
removed from earthly duties. We re-
fer to the passing of our beloved
comrades, Commander Carter, Com
rades Fishel, Merry. Trenchard,
Crosby, Sedgwick, Utley, Wheeler,
Tompkins, Sickles. Marvin, and our
patriotic instructor, Mrs. A. G. Car
ter; and Thos. Given, husband OF
our sister, Mary Given.
Each year adds to the already long
list, and soon the old veteran will be
laid among those upon whose graves
he lovingly and with reverend hands
now lays the wreath of 'forget-me-
nots," but he will leave behind him a
perpetuation of this beautiful cere-
mony in the young heroes who, in the
passing years are marching with them
and mingling Of the young with the
gray-headed old soldiers. To every
thing there is season: Leaves have
their time to fall and flowers to
wither at the north winds breath,
and stars to set, but thou, O death,
hast all seasons for thine own. Time
rolls his ceaseless course and brings
its changes and sorrows, and the
reaper as he has garnered has come
very near to us as an organization.
Those loved members and comrades
who were weary have passed to their
rest, and it is fitting that we as a
fraternity assembled today. at this
our regular place of meeting, offer
this memorial to our departed he
roes who, only little in advance Of
us, have crossed the threshold Of the
future, have entered the gates ajar,
where promises are fulfilled, where
the unknown will be revealed. Who
knows how thin the veil between the
mortal and immortal? Let us hope
| that those wearing eternal crowns
are not forgetful of this little life
but are az guardians interceding for
tAnd helping those who wait this side.
Our sympathies are with these be-
reaved relatives and friends of COM
rades gone on before, and we would
express an earnest hope that even so
great bereavement may be Overruled
for their greatest good, and would
point the sorrowing ones for consola-
ton to the Supreme Lodge above,
where loved ones are united in
songs of rejoicing, while we who are
left below are mourning.
Truly they were loyal men, appre
ciating what our country cost and
what the word soldier signifies. and
although their work is done their in
fluence continues-that will live on
and in the near or far future may
we not be found with our talents hid
den but ever with an eye to duty, un-
folding what we may do, and what
we may be when we are called up
higher.
We cannot think them dead; it is
that they have journeyed heavenward:
and while we find those on earth
more lonely, our sky has gained a
star. Beyond the setting is the rising
sun and coming day; beyond the
darkness is the light; beyond the
storm is the calm; beyond the earth
quake's fiery throb are green fields
and smiling sky. The coffin and the
shroud are often separated but lit
tie way from the bridal scene, with
garlands and music
The road may be long and weary
but 1t will have an end. The voyage |
tedious and anxious. but land is
reached at last. All things change!
The seal of every mystery shall be
broken, all griefs will end, all tears
be dried, all signs shall cease. In
happy crowds we shall gather on the
crystal sea and greet those loved ones
who have preceded us to- the celestial
home. But now "These Queries Of
Why" come so often before us
Freighted with mysteries we cannot
unfold,
Why must we suffer, why part. why
sorrow
Still we are grieving and wondering
today,
Why must our loved ones have been
taken from us,
Why, oh, our Father, why could
Luey uOL stay
Home is made desolate, happy hearts
broken,
When death, the invader, steps in at
the door,
And through CLEANS of bright sun
shine we often still gather.
Yet we miss them and weep and say,
'Why" evermore?
Oh why are we born and why must
we labor,
Why do we live and why do we die,
Why cling to life so, why at last
long to tarry,
Ringing back on the air-listen-
echo says, "Why?"
And now word to these Grand |
Army men, you old soldiers, comrades
of the years of fratricidal strife; you
who stood side by side at Gettysburg,
in the Wilderness, at Chickamauga,
Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge,
Donaldson, Shiloh, Atlanta, Nash
Vile rapidly, surely you are being
out. 1t will not be long
til the taps will be sounded and the
signal given lights out" Then all
he passions will be stilled and tired
'eet will rest, the busy hands be quiet,
he throbbing hearts cease to beat,
Ind natures pendulum no longer
Indicate time seconds-for eternity
will have come; but your great Com
nander has given you your orders
GO We forth in my name, tell all the
people, command every soul, in My
lame, publish My orders, saying: 7
lied to deliver you from the bondage
# sin; and whom the Son makes
rec is free indeed -