:22:34
Wipe sorrow's tears away
:22:41
Nor let me ever stray
:22:48
From Your side
:22:59
In these troublous times,
when many of our loved ones
:23:03
are making the supreme sacrifice,
:23:06
I've searched the Holy Scriptures
and my heart
:23:09
for some message of comfort
and inspiration to you.
:23:13
On other occasions
I've quoted from St. John
:23:16
and the prophet Zechariah.
:23:18
I've reminded you
of the 23rd Psalm...
:23:20
"Thy rod and Thy staff,
they comfort me."
:23:24
Today I offer you the words
of a Maryland lawyer
:23:29
of another day,
when Americans were fighting
:23:32
to preserve their
sacred heritage of liberty.
:23:37
"O thus be it ever
when free men shall stand
:23:41
"between their loved homes
and the war's desolation.
:23:45
"Blessed with victory and peace,
:23:48
"may the heaven-rescued land
praise the power
:23:52
"that hath made
and preserved this nation.
:23:55
"Then conquer we must
:23:58
"when our cause, it is just.