Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-01-22
THE GREAT REVIVAL.
Chapman = Alexander Meetings
Stirring Richmond.
GOV. swI NsON EXPRESSES
HIMSELF.

GOV. SwI NsON EXPRESSES
HIMSELF.
Standing on the platform beside DIR.
j. Wilbur Chapman, and with twenty
two of his fellow-students, John E..
Rowe, young man of Richmond Col
iege, told the great crowd that filled
the City Auditorium how he was led
to Christ by his mothers prayers
twelve years after she had passed into
the great beyond. 1t was one of the
most wonderful testimonials ever heard
at religious meeting in Richmond. and
1T moved many women and men to tears.
| From Times-Dspatchl
A new departure in the Chapman
meetings was made yesterday when the
business men of Richmond gathered at
the Masonic Temple to welcome DR.
Chapman and Mr.. Alexander, first at
an informal reception and afterwards
at lunch. That the meeting was in
every degree representative of the
business interest of this city was char
acterized by the fact that those present
came from all the various industries
and interests that go to make up the
commercial life of this great city, and
represented every vocation, from the
humblest clerk to successful captain
of business.
DR.. James p. Smith asked the bless
ing, and after the main portion of the
lunrh had hoo,, coDcl,,JoJ NJ
arose, and In few short sentences cap
tivated the audience. At the request
of very many of his hearers, Mr..
Alexander then led in short chorus.
which was sung with earnestness and
feeling.
acknowledgement Ellyson intro
duced DR.. Chapman, and in the course
of his remarks said that he felt this
occasion was one of the greatest that
had ever come to Richmond, and he
prayed that Gods Spirit might lead to
the ministry many of the young men
who were feeling the call of the Spirit
today.
In way that clearly touched and
held his hearers, DR.. Chapman pleaded
for the ministers of the gospel. II
would be wooden man." he said, eff
l could not preach under the atmosphere
of enthusiasm and influence by which /
am surrounded. The man have on nv
heart is your own minister. He gets
distressed, he faces problems that are
too heavy for him. The great majority
OF them are underpaid and overworked.
and the struggle they have to endure is
severe and painful. We want to raise
them up, to make their lives fuller and
richer, and to do that we will have to
raise the lives of those whom they serve. 4"
GOVERNOR SWANSON SPEAKS.
Just before the conclusion of the
luncheon, Rev. Thomas Semmes called
on Governor Swanson, who responded
In way that took the audience by
storm. II am glad" said Governor
Swanson, Ito be present at this meet
ing. and especially am grateful that /
have had the privilege of attending the
meetings at the Auditorium. This is a
great work, and one that has steadily
grown in my estimation. When / was
young man at the Randolph-Macon
College we thought that religion ought
to be left to the preachers alone. / now
know that it is the duty of every citizen, |
whether he be member of the church |
or not, to try to carry into his own life, |
IN business, in politics. in the home circle |
and in the church, if he belongs to one.
the spirit of the Master whom he
serves" Continuing, Governor Swan
son said: True religion makes better
citizens, it makes honest business men.
it makes the work of governing easier.
it makes the lives of communities purer.
and above all, it carries into the heart
of the humblest that divine and blessed
doctrine that each mans soul is of eter-
nal value. Kingdoms may rise and fall.
governments come and go, laws fall
into decay. the glory Of this world pass
away, but the soul of the individual
stands secure and eternal, and it is on
the appeal to each individual that re-
ligion ultimately depends.
This line of thought the Governor
developed with great force. and at the
conclusion of his remarks the opinion
was generally expressed that ne had
never made better or more convincing
address.
eff Mr. Chapman gets ILL.," said Mr..
Alexander, 1--WE know where to find mis-
substitute now that we have heard Gov
ernor Swanson speak"