Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-05
SERMON TO I. P. AS.
REV. MIR. GRAVATT breaches TO
THE RICHMOND POST.
OTHER SERVICES HELD ON SUNDAY.
Uniou Services Among the Presbyte-
rians-NeetinG of the baptists-
,D;.nctaI Condition of the Sacred
Heart Church.

The annual sermon before Post A. OF
the Travellers Protective Association Vi
America. was preached by Rev. ). J'
Cravatt at Holy Trinity church Sunday
evening. The organization was Wen rep
resented. ami had been provided with
seats at the head of the centre aisle. Inc
church was crowded and the service was
very interesting. The music, which was
admirably sung by the choir was appro-
,,iate 10 the occasion. Mr. Gravatts sub
5ect was the apostle who travelled un>
der Divine command TO speak TO his TEL
low-men. who. when he reached his desti-
nation. held up the life Of Christ inc
great exemplar, who went about doing
good"
OPENING OF THE DISCOURSE.
Mir. Gravatt prefaced his sermon with
a few words Of welcome TO the members
of the association, and took his text from
Acts X. verse 3S-"Who went about DONG
good for God was with him.
"There is no chance of people outgIo"-
ing the life and teaching Of Christ ne
said I'VE must try 10 measure up 10
His statute. He travelled under great az
fculues There were no Pullman palace
cars then and no steamers lie had not
where 10 lay His head, yet everywhere ne
went he did good leading the blind. az
sisting the lame, uplifting poor humanity
and dropping benedictious.'
Mir Gravatt in particular allusion 10
the association. said: First. 1t IS a
travelling mems association. rms Is 4
commercial age. There are 5VNWV traVel-
ling men in the United States, 600 OF
whom are in Virginia. The railway ana
telegraph lines are making the world very
small. BY means of the press the mar
kets Of the world are at our doors 10y
the enterprise of this commercial age
the markets Of the city are open 10 the
country. Time was when country people
came 10 the city 10 make their purchases
now the travelling men take the goods Il
the country To do this they have u
travel.
THE ADVANTAGES OF TRAVEL.
"What are the advantages of travel &c
commercial men? They see more OF the
country, enlargng their thoughts anc
minds which is an education IN ltseil
some Of the wealthiest men in the city
of Rome never go fifty miles outside the
city. because they say the world comes
10 them. yet in many things they are
babes. and are regarded by the world al
most as barbarians.
Another advantage Is the deepening
and broadening Of their sympathies fo
their felow-men The world needs mor'
sympathy" .,
Speaking Of the disadvantages Of travel
Mr.. Gravatt said that ii took men ava!
from home and home pleasures, and TIN
brought them IN contact with tempta
tions. There is a tendency, he said TO d.
away from home what they would not o.
al home Men are held In check by publ
opinion and home ties but when IN
pressure Is lifted the natural self assert
itself: when the tightly-strung bow i
loosed Il seeks its natural position. Som
men are prisoners from what is wron
and some from what is good Whe
Judas was In company with Christ 10
three years. under that restraint he wa
kent from evil. when the pressure wa
lifted he went 10 his own place.
So two apostles were imprisoned 70
loyalty TO the King. When liberty wa
given them they went 10 their own com
pany and fellowship. with Gods people
Mans character is tested not under re
straint but under liberty. Mr. Gravat
illustrated the foregoing 10y citing severa
instances. one OF which was that OF
lady going 10 Europe and attending thea
tres on Sunday. which she would not d
IN her own city IN America.
DISADVANTAGES OF TRAVEL
Another disadvantage IL that rallrOa
travel however comfortable, Is not con
ducive 70 ones private deyotions. Their
Is not the same opportunity for the stud
OF Gods Word and daily prayer so Is
sential TO spiritual growth.
Another disadvantage Is that there
a tendency. after the labor ~ the weel
for travelling men 10 spend their Sunday
In hotel Hobbies and on hotel poruco
discussing the current affairs OF the dal
rather than joining In the worship
the people where they may be- Mr.. Gra
watt pointed his remarks here with a
illustration that came within the scol
4 OF his experiences. aud was the resu
OF observation Of the habits OF trayeilln