Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-16

with spring flowers, and the entire
service of last evening was a splen-
did community affair. The scripture
was read by Rev. Dan Huntington
Fenn, pastor of the All Souls Uni
tartan church; Rev. A. Francis
Walch of the Winthrop Street Uni
versalist church offered proyer. and
the benediction was pronounced bv
the Rev. Andrew T. McWhorter of
me South Parish Congregational
Rev Stuart B. Purves said in part
that he appreciated very much the
invitation to say few words to them
at this time. He said his thoughts
would center round these words,
-"Patriotism"- God"
Your education as graduates of
iilghschool is one that you should
deeply appreciate. Your High School
education Is only held by a very small
proportion of our American popula-
ton. What use are you going to
make of it? Is 1t going to be en-
]oyed selhshly, for your .own ease
and comfort? Danish such a thought.
Our Lord served individuals. There
Is much unrest in America, simply
tax viii bring US nowhere, but SER
vice for others will do everything.
Your education is a trust for others.
Your country and State and CITY
have done this for you. Over the en-
trance to the Chapel of the Naval
Academy at Annapolis are these
words: Not for ourselves but for
others" Use your education in the
spirit Of those lines.
"Patriotism-Love Of country Is a
heaven sent virtue. Our Lord loved
ms country with a passionte devo-
tion. He wept for it when he real
lzed that the day OF her judgement
was close at hand. We hear a good
deal of talk today about internation-
alism. Nationalism must come first.
We as Americans in order to be
world citizens must first be good
american citizens. Our Nation is
young, very young, but we already
have long list Of splendid Patriots.
Ihey have left US high ideals and
America Is truly idealistic today. She
means every word when she saws.
Liberty and Justice for all. We are
living in a war-sick world. The
greatest question before America to-
day Is duly constituted court for
conference at which the nations of
the world may settle their differences.
len thousand times better a confer
ences before fighting than after it is
over. Men have the right to differ as
10 now such a conference will be
constituted. League of Nations,
world Court. Court. Of international
justice. call it what you WILL Soon
after the truce of the world war. we
mad a 0sight at Washington to make
men and angels weep. The so-called
League of Nations was banded like
a football between the Executive
Mansion and the Senatorial Chamber.
The American people today are
away ahead Of our representatives in
washington in demanding some kind
or world court of justice for set
Ting the differences that must in
eVltably arise among nations. Am
erica, in my judgment leads all the
nations of the world in an honest de-
sire to live peaceably with all men.
There Is insidious teaching going on
amongst too large a number that
would say, no matter what the pro-
vocation is. don't fight, even though
our country is invaded.
l"God-There are dark clouds on
our American horizon but the dark
est or all Is q lack of strong virile
iaitn on the part of some in an
overruling Providence. 1t was not so
at the beginning of our National life,
names that you are all very familiar
with believed strongly in an over
ruling Providence. 1t has been said
and Of course, truly that you cannot
find the name of God in our Ameri-
can Constitution. The answer came
at once, 1t was not necessary as the
name of God was written in the heart
OF everyone that framed the Ameri-
can Constitution.
you are passing another mile
stone in your LIES journey. Aim
high like the great Apostle to the
Gentiles. disappointment and fail
ures you win have. but go on try
ing. You have heard the story of
the drummer boy of the great Ma
poleon. In a dark hour of seeming
certain defeat, he turned to the lad
and said. "Beat q retreat" He re-
peated IL thrice and with anger
turned TO the boy and said why is
my order not obeyed?" "Sire." he
replied, II only know how to beat a
charge" "Then beat a charge" said
the great general and seeming defeat
was turned into victory. So you, my
friends never beat a retreat. Let II
always be forward, onward. upward.
and some day the great Captain of
your salvation will say, Well done,