The Washington herald., 1909-07-05
WARNS AMERICANS
OF FATE OF JUDEA
Bishop Williams in Scathing
EYangelistic Sermon.
EMULATEs JOHN THE BAPTIST
Episcopal PreIate Declares Nation
Cannot Tell Difference Between
Are Too sIateriaIistic - Demands
Better Laws for Protection.

New York July 4-John the Baptist
never preached a more scathing sermon
in the wilderness or anywhere else against
an Israel that was satisfied with itself
because its father was Abraham, than did
the Rt. Rev. Dr. Charles D. Williams.
Bishop O. Michigan, az st. Barthoio-
news Church to-day against the Amer
lean people He admitted that it was an
odd sort OF Fourth Of July sermon.
Bishop Williams took for his text TWO
quotations one from John the Baptist
and the other from Jesus Christ In
both instances the prophet and teacher
of old had upbraided the Jews, and in
both they had replied that they did not
fear taunts from such sources. They
were sons OF Abraham, and that was suf-
fcient- Said Bishop Williams:
Even on the anniversary OF the na-
TONS birth and al the risk Of being
counted sensational I shall venture 10
mention some things wherein Americans
commit the sins against which John the
Baptist and Jesus Christ preached. One
thing IS that Of our wealth. We are
more crudely materiaHstic than any other
people on earth
Bigness, Not Greatness.
We cannot tel the difference between
blgness and greatness. Bigness is mate
rial You can measure Il with a tape.
Greatness is spiritual. II is that which
Sod alone can measure. We call New
York and Chicago great cities Are they2
They are big. Honstrously big. but have
they the civic conscience that is neces-
sary 10 greatness2 Compare them with
Athens Of old. with some OF the small
cities OF Europe of the present day.
where real problems Of humanity are be-
ing worked out
'As a people We are big. on land We are
big, IN enOrmity We are big. but In any
or these are We create What are our na-
tional ideals2 Have We any2 fear We
have not. We are so fndividualistic that
the nation has hardly an existence The
state seems 70 exist 70 take care OF per
sons, especially rich persons. Congress
Is just now spending its time looking al
ter particular interests. u Is the indi-
vidUal and II he is cared for. the devil
csR take the general public.
I'VE have no social solidarity. Il Is
material wealth that is producing public
and private ills II we as a people and a
who have gone over this road. II win be
becsuse a miracle IS performed in our
behalf
Dislike Being Sentimental.
I'VE are inhuman we care little for
art. for sentiment OF for anything that
cultivates humanity. We have a horror
Of being called sentimental Our uni
versities teach trades. not the higher life.
We turn out graduates fitted 10 get rich.
and when they get rich they don't know
how TO use. much less enjoy. their money.
We are lnhuman. The doctors kill thou
sands each year and say nothing In
the protection OF life and property We
are away behind the nations OF Europe.
an laws protecting women and chii-
dren. especially those who labor. we are
classed with barbarians. On this very
point two nations cannot be put on the
honor roll Those nations are Russia and
the United States.
The Yankee in Europe is often more
shrewd than honest. and when we hap
pen behind him and hear OF his tricks We
are apt 70 laugh rather than to blush
with shame. as we ought to do
Concluding, The bishop said that he saw
signs Of Improvement. and that he be-
heved that If Christian people would sup
port prophets who dare % tel the truth.
and If the people would stop in their mad
rush for wealth long enough 20 consider
whittier they and the nation are going.
America might know the fate OF Israel
and OF Rome