May 24, 2009
Morning Service

James 3

Memorial Day Order

I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and comrades will, in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, Comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers sailors and Marines, who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead? We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security, is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains, and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon the Nation's gratitude—the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

II. It is the purpose of the Commander in Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this Order effective.

—General Orders No. 11, Grand Army of the Republic Headquarters^[1].

HISTORY.

According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic Washington Race Course (today the location of Hampton Park) in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who died in captivity.

The freed slaves disinterred the dead Union soldiers from the mass grave to be inhumed properly reposed with individual graves, built a fence around the graveyard with an entry arch, declaring it a Union graveyard. A daring action for freed slaves to take such in the South just shortly after the Union's victory. On May 30, 1868, the freed slaves returned to the graveyard with flowers they had picked from the countryside and decorated the individual gravesites, thereby creating the first Decoration Day. Thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers paraded from the area, followed by much patriotic singing and a picnic.

The alternative name of "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882. It did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. On June 28, 1968.

 

COMMUNITY OBSERVANCE:

Towns often hold a Memorial Day parade in honor of such residents.

Not only is this Holiday used for showing respect to our fallen Soldiers, but also to all our deceased loved ones.

We Christians should enter into these observances with great respect, and should give honor to those to whom honor is due.  Romans 13:7; 

 

MEMORIALS OF THE BIBLE:  OLD TESTAMENT;

1. PASSOVER:  Exo 12:14  And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever.
2. FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD:   Exo 12:17  And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance forever.
3. THE SABBATH:   Exo 31:16  Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
4. FEAST OF the firstfruits and the Pentecost (Lev_23:9-22)
5. THE feast of trumpets (Lev_23:23-25);
6. THE day of atonement (Lev_23:26-32);
7. THE feast of tabernacles (Lev_23:-44).

NEW TESTAMENT MEMORIALS:

1. WHILE EATING THE LAST PASSOVER MEAL WITH HIS DISCIPLES;  Luk 22:19-20  And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.  (20)  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
2. THE APOSTLE PAUL GIVES US A VERY ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF WHAT GOD WANTS US TO DO;  1Co 11:23-27  For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:  (24)  And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  (25)  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  (26)  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.  (27)  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT THE COMMUNION SERVICE IS A MEMORIAL TO THE D.B.R. OF JESUS CHRIST.

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO? TWO COMMON CONCERNS ABOUT COMMUNION.

1. I don’t feel worthy of taking communion.
2. Why commune every Sunday?

First of all, I don’t think anyone is worthy of themselves to partake of the body, and blood of Christ, but if we are doing our best toward living a Christian life we should partake.  The point is, He makes us worthy.   He has also told us how important this is to do.  St. Jn. 6. “Except a man eat My body, and drink My blood he shall have no part with me.”

 

The second part is answered below:

Paul said;  2Th 2:15  Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

The Apostle also instructed us to be in unity in what we teach, and do;  1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

·        Tradition, and the unity of the teaching, all shows that the early church began meeting on the first day of the week, after the Sabbath, in which the Jews were told to keep, and the Apostle Paul clarifies this in the Scripture above.

 

THE ONE GREAT CHRISTIAN MEMORIAL.  “DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.”