Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-12
OF AM SORTS. herbs. and flowers. and trces.

Of all sorts, herbs. and flowers. and trees
The first animal life was moliusk
something like an oyster. The next thin
was one with vertebra, or backbone
and II was succeeded By higher and high
err organisms. and more and more deli
cate organizations. until animal lif
reached its perfection IN man. OUTSIDE
OF the little thread Of Scripture history
the clue OF the historic labyrinth an,
human chaos mankind have been for tn
most part In masses. The dews Of civil
cation and enlightenment for ages work
cd n slow disIntegration OF the masses
and effected more or less Of individuality
and organization. Crude and barbara
"cities" and kingdoms and empires came
into existence. But, up TO the coming OF
Christ. the bulk Of mankind were In
masses suggestive Of stocks and stoHes
and worse than senseless things or OF
the insensible oyster or brute. The COM
ing OF Christ was as the sun rising over
the hard surface of the rocky earth. with
all It's attendant dews and frosts and
showers and heavenly, softening infiu-
ences and agencies. with healing IN its
wings. His ministry was TO the masses
His following was the multitudes. His
business was 20 disintegrate the masses;
to make each one Of tho vast crowds 10
feel his individuality, his dignity. his re-
sponsibilty; to think and feel for himself,
to use his powers and assert himself. and
not be moved stupidity and solidly. en-
masse. so. at first. individuality would
result I'm antagonism and variance Going
apart. So those that were closest to-
gether would be set one against another.
Awakening to their native rights and dig
mites, they would find themselves con-
tending with depressing and demorallz-
| ing influences.
The early history OF Christianity show
ed Chris TANNED members of households
at variance with heather parents. bro
theirs, and sisters. Later families were
arrayed against families communities
against communities, and nations against
nations. No doubt. these were rightly
called religious wars. But the conditions
of things only showed mankind in differ
ent stages OF development Paul, the per
secutor, was a most honorable and reli-
gious man in the earliest stage OF his de-
lightened religious man full of the Spirit
Of God. Nations and the whole world
have shown the same development and
passage from stage TO stage.
The present condition OF the religious
world bespeaks general and full and
growing understanding and appreciation
Of Christian teaching, suggestive Of high
and mature manhood. The work OF right
eousness is peace, and the effect Of It
quietness and assurance forever. The
whole human race is showing the inhu-
ence of Christian principles. contempla-
lions. methods, and motives. We are all
members one Of another. And we are
members Of one body-the ideal Of man.
hood, the Divine Man, our I.aw-Giyer,
and Governor and King
This great republic Of ours IS based
upon the dignity Of man. Liberty. equal
it,, fraternity constitute the light and
living principle Of our government But
with US they are not Of an ignorant,
licentious. degraded. and mad style. They
are after a divine ideal, a result OF ODE
dience 10 law. Of justice. and of unsefsh
devotion to the public good. Our govern
ment is not the control OF an atheistic
mob. wholly self-dependent and selfish
The ignorant and irresponsible masses
are not 10 rule the responsible. But yir-
tue of the highest order. known as right
eousness and enlightenment OF the high
est order, known as God-fearing Chris
tianity through the people, are TO estab-
fish them in their rights and make them
prosperous and happy; every man learn
ing the perfect ways Of honor and under
his own vine and fg-tree rejoicing
1t is interesting to notice the leavening |
processes that are going on in our day |
the wonderful development OF organiza- |
ton i'm the least and greatest things.
This is day Of rganiZations-cOnge- |
NAL crowds, clubs. associations. fraterni-
ties, societies. lodges. conventions and
the lke-all the way up to grand trusts
and combinations and consultations. And
every one Of these is an educator OF all
the powers Of the mind and cultivator Of
the aspirations and sensibilities OF the
soul. Every one is a promoter Of organi-
zation. Whenever people come together
m these forms they claim to have honor
able aims, and they conduct them on
principles. They are under tho
control Of public opinion that avows
ideals
In the business world all these organ-
.ations consulting best interests are wise
md conservative. Chairmen and pres-
Tents and directors are selected for their
character, intelligence and ability The
selection of the fittest is the controlling
dea. And this same principle controls In
III organizations, whether business plea
ure. or religion. Through these elemen-
airy organizations our whole society be-
ONES not only organic but a highly-or-
an!zed and strong system. Through
hese organizations our people are edu-
ated and ytalzed in a practical way,
nd their humanity is raised 10 a higher
rider Of being. The eifectual working I'm
he measure Of every part-no part dark,
10 part lfeless-respOnsib and inteli-
emily, makes for the safety, frmness.
nd perpetuity Of our whole country. Our
hip OF state is made up of many inte-
ers. all safe and reliable, and adapted
o the preservation Of the whole We are
n no danger OF being ruled as a mass by
despot, or Of falling by our own insen-
ible and irresponsible weight We are
eople, the dignity Of whose citizenship is
IS glory and safety. In this we are af-
Pr the divine ideal. Steadily and surely,
housh, maybe slowly we are approach :
lS the ideal status Of kings and priests.
.Verage American citizenship is becom-
lg higher and higher in dignity, enhght- .
nment, life. And the great republic IS :
ecomins thing that has life In itself; 4
lade up Of high-minded men, knowing
leir rights and privileges. and daring
nd able TO maintain, TO preserve, to i'm
rove them; an evolution Of manhood 1