Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-21


them now, when we know they used not
to be made? You ask big questions, that
go to the very root, and it may be wrong
ness Of our social and industrial organiza-
tions-questions the Christian Church
must study and answer, either as the
Good Samaritan did, or as that priest
and "Levite" will have TO do at the day
of judgment. A true answer to these In
the life and living of Christians Is far
more acceptable to God, and grateful and
saving to man, than mere eloquent ser
mons. exquisite singing, magnificent
church buildings, and ease-ioving con-
gregations. Eloquence, music, architec-
ture, and assemblings are right ana
grand only in so far as they aid in and
press towards the purposes that carried
Jesus TO the CrosS-that is the saving Oh
this world, and the bringing Of Gods lost
and wandering children back to His love,
His home, and 10 each other / say, and
say most unhesitatingly. that all churches
Of all denominations are agreed as to the
importance of thus saving men from
degradation and shame and wrong and
despair down here, and that they should
study and pray and suffer to do 1t, until
they can come together as with the heart
Of one man just where the Good Samarl-
tan stood, by his fellow in the midst OF
mis- misfortunes, to obey the undoubted,
and undisputed command OF our Lord
eco thou and do likewise" We want
practical religion with eyes, ears, heads,
hands, and hearts, just as well as with
creeds. Not only do we want it, but we
must have it, or something like IT, that
Jesus called salt" if we are to escape
being thrown out and trampled under the
feet of coming men, on their way to a
truer, more cody, and more human ana
Christ-like faith; the faith that Is not
trying so hard TO go to Heaven as 10
bring Heaven down here and set UP the
kingdom of the "Man Christ Jesus on
earth. where homes are being blighted,
hearts broken, and hopes dying for the
want of that sympathy and purpose that
finds the expression of its life In making
man in the image Of God, rather than by
greed pressing the worth OF his Delng INTO
gold and gain, wherewith 10 poison our
own souls and degenerate our own hui
mainly. The fact that we had nearly as
many murders in 1896 as I've had in the
twenty years from 1870 to 1890 tells how
alarmingly fast we are going the wrong
way. Conditions that go to produce the
tramp are multiplying with geometrlcal
ratio. Machinery gathers It's workers 10
great centres, and in mighty armies,
producing state or conSestiohi
the closing, down Of the machines throws
thousands out of employment In lump
and the community cannot assimilate
nor support them, and so they are forced
out on the world wanderers. More than
this every day the genius Is lnVentihs
more and more machinery, simplihed,
that can be run by the unskilled ana
cheap laborer, TO the exclusion OF the
higher type and nobler man, trained and
nv
instead of men climbing 10 vaster man
hood and nobler living, the trend Of in
yention is TO make them ever smaller
coks on bigger wheels, and more comph-
Gated machines. This is alarming, ana
shows how vast, strong, and deep reach-
ing the forces of redemption must De 10
handle such productions, when they pc
come tramps by the hush at the mills, the
close of the shops.
This much | have written, Mr.. Editor
with the hope of getting more people 10
thinking and praying hard. For L frank
ly confess the battle is so vast, VIDE,
aud growing, that DO not
see even a CLEAN of the end; but see
what / think Is better-i e., duty OF
to-day-God will show to-morrow's chill
dren to-morrows duty IL they are true.
What are known as charity organiza-
of the wisest and best men
worked out into practical form, and adj
ministered for years in many cities, and
are therefore. too we'll known in this
country to be classed as experimental.
is too large and important a
city, ana its peril Is too imminent not 10
avail itself of such help as has proved
a relief, II not a cure, in other places. |
We are weak and wasteful here for want ]
Of mutual understanding and wise CO.
operation. The Council cannot, the COM |
must handle the tramp and the |
moor questions. When tramp becomes |
, law-breaker-a criminal-then the law |
can inflict punishment upon him, but TO |
do Il before Is TO harden the tramp, out
rage the feelings of justice IN the bosom
Of humanity, and breed contempt Tor
law. Provision, rather than punishment,
IS what should be sought Tor the work
up to that point where they crop
out of that class into vampires upon
- hody social Lawlessness should |
be dealt with with a strong. just and
severe hand; mauidlin sentiment shouid
be thrown to the winds. ana naked rlgh'
dome and home and virtue protected. But
we must have. Righteous
ness must go with law, or II Is no law.
mt Impression and wrong and ruin.
Mans inhumanity to man" dealt out
wholesale in the name OF right, endorsed
BY the peoples representatives. NO, we
must do right II the skies fall.
There should be provision made Tor
he work seekers TO get lodging and food
without begging for n. This can be done
~ having Friendly Inn" or place
where they can 20. sleep. and get PLAIN