Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-11
WORLD GETS BETTER.
REV. MIR. BAGBY TAKES THIS VIEW
OF THE QUESTION.
REV. Mr.. SWEENEY ON SPAIN.
He Discusses the Changes That Have
Taken Place on Her Escutcheen-
Drs. Cooper and Starr Preach to
students-Mr. Tucker to Red Men.

as the World Growing Better or
Worse?" was the question which Rev. ii.
A. Bagby, pastor of Calvary Baptist
church. endeavored to answer Sunday
night. The sermon was the first OF a
series of three on this subject. The text
was Philippians H., 15-"Children OF God
without blemish in the midst OF crooked
and perverse generation, among whom We
are seen as lights in the world, holding
forth the word of life"
He said, in part: "Our theme is one OF
great practical moment. If the Christian
world is OF up grade it owes great debt
10 the religion or Jesus. If the world is
lapsing more and more from the ideal
standards Of ethics. it would look as If
Jesus had failed of his hope. AS prelimi-
nary to the discussion, 1 shall undertake
a partial enumeration of the forces now
in operation from which we would natu-
rally expect sure and steady moral ad-
yancement in Christendom.
"There Is a limit TO depths or irrengion
and immortality, such as was reached In
Noah's day, and In that historic period
which we call the Dark Ages re-
action from extreme wickedness is as In
evltable as the drying up OF the stagnant
summer pool. The nausea produced by
the dregs at the bottom Of the cup OF
wrong-doing makes the way Upward the
only way out. and this Is the way OF SELF
interest.
Then the expansion of the worlds COM
merce ought to be a benefcent factor In
its ethical life. If there are now no her
init nations, the hndermost in all things
good are brought in touch with the fore
most IN all good things. Activity gives
relief 10 the congested haunts of vice, and
by driving away idleneSs delivers us OF
much temptation.
1.-THE advance OF learning leads us TO
expect much. Education is not able alone
TO prevent wickedness. The keen mind is
not a guarantee OF q good heart. The age
Of the glory of the fine arts In Italy was
an age OF unspeakable moral degradation.
Talleyrand had the genius of statescraft.
but Talleyrand was by no means saint.
Byron could write with the pen OF an
angel and sin like a demon. Few could
write better than Burns when Burns was
sober. Culture alone is helpless before
the sin Of the world. but broad educa-
ton can do much. II ought to be able TO
lift the common mind out of the degrada-
ton of possible sympathy with the mean
or the base. A man of intellectual In
tegrity Is bound to condemn the crime of
his own hand. The educated conscience OF
Europe or America would have made any
sort OF sympathy in such a thing as the
murder OF Jesus of Nazareth impossible.
God be praised for the Christian colleges
OF our lapdl
''The nature OF the Christian religion
would compel US to look for solid moral
advancement. The Christian religion, II
Il does anything. makes bad men good
and good men better The principle oil
righteousness In Christianity leads us TO
expect the betterment Of the world along
with the spread of our holy religion"
Mr. Bagby closed with some particulars
in which our age has the advantage over
the age OF the last days OF the apostles OF
Jesus. Next Sunday night he will ask
whether the expectations are being rea-
llzed.
RaIiy-Dny at Crnce-street.
The services at Grace-Street Presbyte-
rian church Sunday were unusually in
teresting, beginning at $50 O'Clock A. NJ.
with a grand rally of the officers, teach
ers, and scholars OF the Sunday school.
Many members OF the church, as well
as members OF the Sunday school, were
present. The services were conducted by
Or. Witherspoon, assisted by Mr.. James
Sordon, the assistant superintendent.
Inc singing by the Infant Department
curing one part Of the service. and by
inc covenant Band at another. the whole |
tcnooi joining In the chorus. was much |
sh1oysd by ali present. Mr.. Richie, with
ms cofnet added greatly 10 this part of |
.ns service. Mr.. Mckee. Of the Young |
meas Christian Association. delivered |
the address OF the morning. and mis- re- 1
marks, addressed mainly 10 the teachers |
ana scholars, were very appropriate.
Ire school showed their appreciation |
y the services rendered by Mr.. Richie |
snn Mr. Mckee BY rising vote. The
WANG % the roll Of officers. teachers.