Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-11
OUR C0UNTRY'S PERIL
Address OF TIE CELEBRATED DIR.
STRONG LAST NIGHT.
Re Speaks to tho Evangelical Alliances and
Urges Church Cooperation in
the Lords Work.

An April storm, but large and appre-
ciative audience greeted the distinguish
ed author OF "Our Country" at the
Grace-Streot Presbyterian church last
night. The services were conducted by
Rev. DIR. Drew, and the congregation
united heartily in the opening hymn,
go, Jesus, let Thy Kingdom Come,
followed with the reading OF Psalm xiv.
by Rev. DIR. Landrum and prayer by
Rev. DR.. Hoge.
The great congregation was composed
OF representatives from most OF the
evangelical churches of the city, in
cluding nearly all the ministers OF Rich
mond.
THE ALLIANCE.
DR.. Landrum briefly stated some facts
OF interest regarding the Richmond
Evangelical Alliance, dwelling upon the
harmony and unity existing among tho
different denominations OF the city, and
regretting the absence of the president
Of this alliance, Rev. r. p. Kerr, ID. d..
who is now conducting a series of meet
ings in fredericksburg. He then hap
PLY introduced DR.. Strong rs the "Fa-
iher Of Our Country" and the secretary
of the Evangelical Alliance of America.
DIR. STRONG.
The gifted speaker entered ct once
upon the vast and important theme of
"rhe Perils of Our Country" pre-
missing with the rapid growth of the
evangelical alliances throughout the
country-in the North, South, East, and
West-and new ones springing up in
every direction. The rapid increase OF
our cities is one OF the startling facts of
the day, and the cities are rapidly domi-
mating our country. The saloons in
crease, and wickedness grows far more
rapidly than churches multiply. Discon
tent. particularly in the North, is
growing, especially noticeable among
the artisan classes, and the cause
assuredly springs from increased
intelligence. They are reaching out
| for something higher and better
than their fathers had. But there are
possibilities even in this restlessness, for
this very unrest indicates progress The
perils which now threaten our civllza-
[ ton are largely located among the non
church-going population, and the great
duty OF the Church is to reach ont and
use oil its powers g. slve the masses.
Can this lie done? Will our church
goers grasp the opportunity which God
! has placed within their reach? One dif-
iiculty in the way is the lack of pcrsoHdi
scork and contact with the multitude
outside the Church. Life gives life, and
we need more of such consecrated work
as that done by the lamented Earl Of
Salisbury in the slums and alleys OF
England's great capital.
HOW THE WORLD Is TO BIZ SAVED.
The world is to be saved, said DR..
Strong. by saving individual souls. 1t
may seem slow aud almost hopeless pro-
blem, but it il Gods way, and the busi-
ness OF every individual Christian is to
save souls hy personal effort.
another obstacle in the way is the lack
of cooperation. The power OF organi-
zation IS known and felt in politics, and
in nearly every branch of business and
trade. Even sin and wickedness is or
ganized to drag down men to death.
Shall the Church ignore this power, or
will 1t join hand in hand and cooperate
in the mighty work Of eyangehzing the
masses!
| co-Oprp ATrON