The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1921-11-18
sBAPTISTS UNVElL TABLET.
Continued from page 4

Ralph Ellis, Lieut.. Lyle Kneeland
sasd Private Harold Bailey.
The services were most impressive
A splendid musical program had beer
prepared. When the time had come
to unveil the tablet the audience
stood while the two gold star moth
rsSS. Mrs. Kneeland and Mrs. Bailey
ssoVd on either side of the pulpit anc
slowly lifted the flag from the face
'cf the tablet, l. G. Tannehill sounded
taps. AS the sound faded into
fssaence Rev. Waite, with great feel
Sng, read Tennyson's poem, "Cross
ing the Bar" All eyes were wet with
tears as the old scenes were so vivid
" seeatled to memory. Rev. Waite
Said.=
The church as the greatest mem
oriai ever erected in the world, time
defslng, enduring throughout al
Srises in human history. Unlike the
great memorials that man has
erected; it abides because it's build
s'g and development is within the
wood and fiber of human life. In
flesh and blood is this great memorial
TO the ministry of Jesus Christ un-
wsisst before the eyes of the world.
When you and l are mouldered back
TO dust this great church of Christ
Slu challenge the thought and ad.
rairstion of oncoming generations.
The time is coming when only a
pile of. dust will mark the spot upon
which the age-old pyramids of the
Nike stood; Ancient Babylon, Assyria,
Persia, Greece and Rome have faded
from view, and in this ever-changing
world of material things all land
marks and evidences of past great
ness will be swept away forever from
the gaze of man but, hear me: the
Church will continue, fresh, virile,
Potential with power to greet the new
generations that shall move through
the earth.
This famous memorial Of Christ is
being unveiled throughout the entire
earth by faithful disciples, who, like
these dear heroes whose memory we
cherish tonight, have gone forth with
the purpose to give up their life if
neressary to carry the message of
HE to the ends of the earth. From
a, very insignificant beginning the
church enfolds millions tonight with
An her arms and points the way of
hnvaa md can,rr.fry of
steady feet and wavering souls.
The tablet was first thought Of
three years ago when a gift Of ten
dollars was made for the Bible school.
1t was then decided at teachers and
sfficers meeting that it be put aside
urtiI there be enough in hand to COM
pIete the purchase Of the memorial.
From time to time this sum has been
augmented by offerings and other
gifts until the tablet was finally Sc
eufed. 1t is 36x30 sufmounted by a
spreading American eagle with the
flag of the nation in it's talons. On
the face of the tablet are the words
of Jesus Christ: Greater love hath
no man than this-that a man lay
DOWN his life for his friends"
The tablet will be placed in a
sightly place within the audience
room Of the church.
While congregation that filled the
church stood in silent tribute to the
three Baptist boys who gave their
lives overseas in the Great
War, bronze tablet, erected in
honor of their memory, and 80 other
living war heroes was unveiled with
ceremonies at the Bap-
list church Sunday evening.
The Baptist soldiers who made the
supreme sacrifice were Corporal
Ralph Ellis, Lieut.. Lyle Kneeland and
Private Harold Bailey. Two of the
mothers of these three heroes-gold
star mothers-played a part in the
services. They were Mrs. L. Bailey
a7d Mrs. J. Kneeland.
The services incident to the un-
yc ling were most impressive. AS
the congregation stood with bowed
heads, a bugler, standing o in the
choir loft blew taps and the two gold
star mothers reverentlyI raised the
American flag with which Sthe tablet
WIS covered. x Fp' NV
As the flag was laid over the
peak o. the tablet, the choir, stand
in in Gre choir loft, Joined in hymn
"Onward Christian Soldiers, March
ing as TO War, With the Cross of
Jesus Going on Before" AS the
words of the choiresters floated over
The large auditorium the song was
picked up by the congregation and
noon the entire room rang with the
martial hymn.
As che last notes died away, the
audience remained standing as the
pastor, Rev. H. A. Waite read Ten
nyson's poem, "The Crossing of the
Bar"
The address of the evening was
made by Rev. Mr.. Waite. "The
:hurch of today is fitting memorial
10 Christ and His sacrifices centuries
.go for mankind" Mr.. Waite said,
out that man-made struc-