The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-27
Christ Ina Norfolk.
Norfolk. Va. Feb. &c. $50

The undersigned has come back in
answer to the call made him in The
NirgIniGu OF Tuesday morning. He
feels himself truly ccmplimented by the
fact that he is nov engaged with
knight Cd the Quill" OF so long expe-
riemce. 1t was rather the infections
Of the statement, than the truth II the
statement made by the muan esteemed
correspondent OF the christian Gun"
To which this one now writing had re-
srect.
Any minister of the Gospel in the
earth. speaking from any point or place.
might say: We need Christ and need
him very much" 1t Is an axiom which
the Christian world over accepts. R.u:
as circumstances alter cases. the adj
vertiscment of such statement with
reference TO Norfolk might indisputably
invite and warrant some comment.
/. AS 10 being proud Of his church. he
now makes no special objection to the
charge. 1t has worthy and remark
able history of which pastor and mem
beers might justly be proud. Such pride
Is highly commendabe.
.. With regard to the "lost ring no
good citizen Of Norfolk has shed a
single tear but the ring that has been
found is the one that gives most pain
TO those having to wear il. 1t hts
tight.
,. In the history of Norfolk. reccnt or
remote, there is nothing to make out
Of II case the diagnosis of which re-
veais A cause. whose effects are dissi-
milar fran those affecting other cities
and communities. All the evil that
may be paradcd and advertised against
the city by Adventures seeking Office
and gold may not be justly chargeablc
20 faithless church members or to cor
rupt politicians. But II luoceeds on,
NfA no Il, F,,l rrNt.
is in every city. and those very ob1tc-
ticnable conditions beset every munich
pality in the land.
4. The question now furnished for this
writer to consider is. What lies be-
tween the absence of the Christ and the
unfa!thfulness of His church," In the
same breath follows also this compound
cathaNic: Where are the bar-rooms,
the gambling dens. the houses Of i'll
fame, corruption, public and private.
which formerly the authorities are said
to have "winked at?" l would an
swer this last in a trice, by saying they
are stlll down In town. or sca:.tered
all around. The former ask permits
sion TO notice mare at length.
The contaSt OF the authors question
suggests that the existence OF the vices
listed above is due to the unfa!thfulness
Of protesting Christians. and that said
direliction consists in their failure to
legiSlate them out OF being
Now. first, the chaste and pure Chris
tian mind and heart prefers to pu.
these eyesores of moral deprayity be-
mind him, and not every day have them
in the papers TO disgust him and every
Sunday besmearinS the sacred desk
with the slime of the slums. There 6
no good in II for saint or sinner 1t Is
my duty is Christian to desire to COR
rect moral evil by resort TO law and
force of arms, and so coerce men from
sin to righteousness? Never The vic
TINS of human weakness and immorali-
~ are to be found on every street no
well as In every lane and alley in the
city. They call for pity from the
christian rather than for prosecution nj
his hands by q politico-religious fanati.
cism.
In the all important work Of Christian
civilization there are three God-given
factors which must be recognized and
brought into exercise--viz, ability. lib
er!y and faith Grant that every man
has the ability TO do right and there is
power 10 force him to do right. should ne
be forced? If SO. Christ never would
have wept over Jerusalem. Liberty is
the greater word. Let the appeal be 10
liberty. rather than to ability to do
right, and the highest civilization Is
the outcome. Were II possible to es.
tablish system OF government that
would force men to quit all wrong
against their will, would it be the
proper thing to do? Never. Faith Is
the Christians peculiar factor in saving
the world. and when he elects law as
the means, rather than grace, he has
lost the power inherent in the cross OF
Cnrist. This citizen would no. write
a single word to Justify the Inference
that he does not believe In good govern.
ment for State and city.
JEREMIAH"