The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-19

The close of the winter. the ap-
proach of Easter and the effect of the
special attention given in a city to
church and religious interests In the
winter months make the next six or
eight weeks a period in the year when
In all the various communions and
churches there is an increase in
church membership larger than in
other months. The religious statistics
collected by the United States Census
and by DIR. II. X. Carroll agree In
showing that in 1909 there were about
$4,000 600 persons carried on the
Gus denominations This In not per-
sons merely baptized, but those who
on reaching adult life have by some
formal act established church rela-
tons for themselves. AS there are
about 5s,000s09e persons in this coun-
try over fourteen years OF age, the
presence of 33.e00.000 church mem
bers. in good and regular standing.
shows that over half the youth and
adults Of tine country have Joined the
church. Many drop away. Many for
a longer or shorter time backsiide.
Some personally and publicly disasow
their membership. But most who
have joined n church in time resume
their relation to 10. Marriage with a
good woman recalls many man.
AS children grow up both men and
women resume church going. Old as
sociations grow stronger with age and
church members return to the profess
sion of their youth. This. speaking
from the secular standpoint. is vast
public good. Nothing Is better for
men and women than a public pro-
fession OF faith in higher things and
in the final triumph Of righteousness.
OF the thousands who will become
church members In the coming weeks
in this city. all. with the fewest ex-
ceptions, will be the better citizens,
husbands. wives and parents for the
act. Church membership. like national
allegiance. is but public recognition
OF a relation already existing. 1t en-
lists men and women in the great
warfare with evil. 1t gives life def
mite ideal. to which the soul returns
owes much to Its churches, but in
nothing more than in the influence
exerted on individuals by church
membership. -Philadelphia Press.
Memory OF the Confcdcracy.
Mrs. Mary A. Wandless, patriotic
instructor of the Grand Army OF the
Republic, Is much disturbed In mind
over the action OF Robert Il. Lee
Capter Children of the Confederacy,
which at recent meeting presented
a sketch OF the life OF General Price
and a description of the Confederate
flag. 1t Convenient to consider this
latter offense first. Really, was any
thing more delicious than this protest
ever conceived outside Of comic ops
era? The Civil War was ended forty
five years ago. The children OF this
organization, the object of which IL,
we take IL, TO keep green the memory
Of those stirring days, and a descrip-
ton In read to them of the flag under
which their fathers served the lost
cause. They have never seen this flag:
1t would be as strange thing to them
as the orffiamnae OF France; they are.
therefore, told Of the bars that Cross
ed its field, and the stars II bore. That
such procedure should be necessary
is the best possible commentary on
the loyalty of the families OF ex-Con-
federates, and a perfect reductio ad
absurdum of the protests Of the critic.
But the ladies who conducted this
meeting also read TO the children q
sketch OF Sterling Price, Well, Price
was there. in those days OF strife Let
us approach this matter from the
critics own point OF view. The gal,
lantry OF the Northern troops cannot
be impugned: what made It neces-
sary? Why, for example. was the re-
pulse OF Picketts charge at Gettys-,
burg 80 splendid an achievement?
Was 1t not because OF the quality of
the courage and spirit Of the men
who charged7 Still keeping wholly
to the sectional view. could the great
meas Of Grant be established In rea-
sonabIe mind without. setting forth
tho greatness OF Lee? Could there be
. tribute TO Sherman which would not
be by the very fact tribute also to
Joseph r.. Johnston? Could there
have been great fight without a
great antagonist. TO ask these uues-
tons Il to answer them. hut what
does this woman fear? Another Sc
ceEston Does she remember i60s?
H1u EiIe forgotten FttxhuEh Lac and
Fighting Joe wheeler? II 70. doesn't
she foal lust Bit ashamed OF harseif