davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10
vIRGINIANs WEEKLY SERMON
SAVE YOUR FRIENDS
DIR. II. NJ. WHARTON.
Grove Avenue Baptist Church.

From sermon preached by DR., II.
M. Wharton at the Grove Avenue
Baptist church Thursday night,
March 9:
When Jesus went home to Naza-
reth on visit to hts friends, he was
sitting in the synagogue one day when
a copy Of the Scriptures was handed
him.
The account OF this service is given
in the fourth chapter OF the Gospel
OF Luke.
The sermon is not given In full
only a glimpse here and there, and
Yet enough is recorded to afford a.
good deal for us to think about.
And first OF all, and we'll worth our
attention, is the fact that he was try
ing to save his own home people.
AS he hooked over that audience
he saw the friends of his youth and
young manhood, and how his great
heart must have yearned for their
salvation, May We not learn from
this. the precious duty, which is upon
us to seek the salvation of those We
love?
Ii must have been an Interesting
discourse. FOR we read that "all eyes
were fastened on him Often we
preachers see ali eyes looking our
way, but not fastened on US. The
minds of our hearer are wander
ing on wide excursions while they
give us the courtesy Of a. look. 1t ia
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

, that to advance to 1t would be i'm
practicable? We think not
Many preachers do not receive even
four hundred dollars q year each in
salaries, and they are expected not
only to educate their children. but to
buy books, entertain guests, and bear
other extras in living expenses. How
can they do it%
Moreover. the average preacher
should be paid more promptly. 1t is
certainly an unnecessary hardship for
pastors to be kept waiting for the
small salaries they have already earn
ed, How can man preach well under
such conditions. especially when I'M
paid grocery hills and other current
accounts are staring him in the face,
and perhaps being flung at him with
a tauntr
Ii Is neither business nor religion
nor civiIity for church to treat its
pastor In such a neglectful way. The
world observes such radical short
comings and is frequently moved to
protest against them.--Michigan
Christian Advocate.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

our business to tell the story OF re-
deeming love in such an attractive
and fascinating manner that the peo-
pie cannot help listening.
And he must have spoken some sharp
and cutting truths. for some wanted
to put him to death after the sermon
was ended. The man who breaches
the truth plainly and feariessly must
hurt somebody. but 1t is the only ef-
fecttve and faithful preaching. We
must cry aloud and spare not.
A very interesting feature OF the
Masters preaching ON this occasion
was that he gave the secret OF his
power. 1t was not money nor In
fiuence nor a great following. 1t was
the power of the Holy Ghost. ''The
Spirit Of the Lord In upon me" And
that is your power and mine We
may have all other resources. but our
sermons fail dead unless Quickened
by the power OF the Holy Spirit
Moreover. the Master tells of his
work ON earth. ITO comfort those
who mourn. to preatA the gospel to
the poor and to set the captive free"
This week has been delegated to US
He sends US forth with the message.
and the commission to save the world
and with the rapid assurance that all
power Is given unto him. in heaven
and on earth, and that he is with us
always. even Unto thu end OF the
world
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10
FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Air Home and seen the sick ba bies
and little children who we're brought
there to grow strong and we'll; she
had wished that she could do some
thing to help, and II made her very
happy to think that now abe would
be able to. At first It was just a
pleasure to MAYA to take care OF the
chickens to watch them eat and
grow. But they did have to be fed
SO many times q day. and when she
was busy reading or playing II was
not always easy to stop and attend
But Mava's mother knew that It
was best for her to do this. and II
ever MAYA was tempted to feel that
they were a bother. the very name
she called them. her Fresh Air
Chtckcns" would bring to her mind
the pale-faced little children. and
what stay at the home would do
for them
To be sure Mava's family did not
grow up without accident One OF
the chicks hurt its foot in the wire
fence and had to be kept in a baske ct
OF cotton batting almost a week. An
other was drowned in It's drinking
cup. MAYA buried II in a candy boz
In the edge Of the pansy bed, and she
said that the other chickens all came
to the funeral: but now that they
were big enough to run out in the
yard they were apt to follow MAYA
wherever she went.
Then at last when 1t was time for
MAYA to go back to her city home,
and the chickens were no longer balls
of yellow down, but big and smooth
and white. Mrs. Brill bought them Of
her. and as she knew what MAYA
planned to do with the money she
gave her dollar apiece for them.
MAYA did not stop to rest this time
See. mother" she cried, spreading
out eight silver dollars in row, "see
what my chickens have brought me!
Maybe this VIII save some babys
life ..- ....,s,4,-., ~ .ese,- =
And the chickens have helped you
overcome a bad habit
Il know what you mesn, and Tn,
so g1ad T never gave up the chickens,"
The Child's Hour.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10
4 d DE- onddedb
"A RevR Pitt

staff? Apparently he gave the order
before he had received divine direc-
ton. And apparently he made a mis-
take. Even a prophet is not safe
from mistakes OF judgment.
When the prophet reached the
home OF the Shunammfte. what did
he do? La Ii pro ga BILE that the Spirit
OF God had already told him that
the child was to be restored? Why
did he stretch himself upon the child !?
Did he hope TO resuscitate him by
such means? Or did he only try TO
prepare the body as best he might
for the return of the spirit? Or was
he simply yielding to the desire TO
do what he could? Why did he walk
to and fro in the house? Evidently a
great struggle was going on in the
heart of the man of Coda struggle
like that OF the wrestling of Jacob
with the angel. Here IS the struggle
of mighty faith laying hold upon
God. This suggests the heart of the
lesson.
The Heart of the Lesson.
little room: prophets bed; a
cold form stretched out upon II; "a
man of God kneeling by the bedside
with upturned face.
This Is q scene more worthy of q
painters brush than the scene of the
worlds greatest battle. for something
is going on here more wonderful than
ever happened on any battlefield
Faith is storminR heavens castle. But
there is something more than faith
here. The man who could kneel be-
fore God in the presence OF death
and ask for the return OF the soul
to the cold body-that man must not
only have had wonderful faith, but
he must have lived so close to God
as to have an unusual insight into the
mind OF God. 1t takes more than
faith in the power and love OF God
to make such prayer as Elisha
made. One must be as close to God
as q friend looking into the face OF
friend. Certainly Elisha could not
have supposed that 1t was Gods will
TO raise the child from the dead IL
no had not lived so close to God as
to think Gods thoughts after him: far
rarely has II ever been in the mind
of God to recall a soul that had once
taken Its flight.
We cannot look upon this scene
without a sense OF humiliation. Here
is a giant taking hold by faith of the
very throne of God. and it can hardly
be said of us that we take hold of
hs1 throne hL All we nAruty StretCn
out our arms at full length toward
heaven. Our prayers are so faint that
We are only led to hope that they
will reach the ear of God because
God leans down to listen. We make
such feeble requests of Godi If we
ask for great things at all, II "a more
an act OF piety than of faith. Why
do we fall SO far short OF our privi-
! leges? Why are our prayers so pal
! sled? why do we not go to our closet
and shut the door and pray for the
! greatest things God has told us we
| may pray for, and ask as children
| would ask Of loving father? Is II
| not because our faith is so weak
| And Is not our faith weak because we
! live SO far from God that we are
| strangers to Gods thoughts and dc
| not know what God really desires
| concerning us?
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

ume, purity and sweetness. has won
derful command over his audience
and is greeted with great congrega-
tons wherever he goes.
He is the author OF several volumes
OF. sermons. has written two novels
and has complied THE War Songs
and Poems of the Confederacy." His
latest book. just out. 10 entitled "Sto-
ries, Short and Sweet" DIR. Whar-
ton began his meetings ut Grove Ave-
nue. on Monday evening. In spite of
the severe weather the congregations
have been excellent and the outlook
for a great ingathering In very hope
full
Accompanying DR.. Wharton In
these meetings s Mr.. P. Woodbury.
Bush. the gospel singer" Mr.. Bush
began his active career on this line
in November, 1891. and for nineteen
years has been a song evangelist, most
of his time being associated with DR..
Wharton. He studied voice culture
with the late DR.. George J. Webb.
Of New York city. who was a pupil
of one Of the great masters of Milan.
Mr.. Bush was formerly medical direc-
tor OF the Second Congregational
church. Of New London. Conn. and
in several of the leading churches in
New Haven. He, too, took part IN
the great Brooklyn meetings above
referTed to-
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10
The Lesson .Anaiyzed.

hhc LNSSOu -tlEiiNItl. -
Let Us look at this broken hearted
woman at the feet OF the prophet.
What do We know OF her? Note her
social position; her hospitality: the
evidences that she was a faithful SER
want OF Jehovah q Kings 1: 3. 23).
Recall how it had come to- pass that
she had been highly favored of Jeho-
yah. 1t began with an act OF hospi-
tHiIty. an act which has proven to be
the open door 20 so many blessings
Note that nor hospitality developed
into great liherality She built n
broom that the prophet might have a
place OF his own whenever he came
TINT way. Note that this liberality
was brought out by her recognition
of the fact that the presence Of the
man or God was a benedictlon TO her
nome. Here Is q means Of grace We
are prone to neglect Show how many
blessings come from the presence or
good men in the home, In society, In
the nation. Note how Elisha seeks an
opportunity TO make some return to
this good woman for her kindness
how at last for this compare lively
EttIe thing Jehovah gives her the de-
sire of her heart q Kings /: 12-17).
Ana Yet Jehovah allows this boy to
die. our ungrateful hearts seize upon
this thought and overlook the years
OF happiness, of which there Is no
record, which passed between the
hour or his birth and the day OF his
death. Doubtless this woman felt ius,
as we would have felt about it. She
could only remember that after God
had given her this son he had snatch
ed him away. She could not under
stand al ~.
OF happiness that had come with this
gift from God. She could only re-
member that God had taken away
her boy. How could he care for her
and yet tear her heart strings? Was
the boys death an evidence that God
did not care for her? That he was
Indifferent to her happiness? We
know to-day that Il was not Ia the
death of loved one to-day any evil
dence that God does not care for us ?
Nay 1t not sometimes be an evidence
that he does care for US? Many OF
ns in the midst of such bereaven ants
turn coldly away from God. wha,
did this woman do? II she had shu,
herself up in her room and nursed
her sorrow and her doubts and her
complaints. would her boy have beer
restored to her? Note that she Wen,
straight TO Gods prophet Just a.
quickly as she could go. She went
straight TO God It Is the first thinp
| to do in such an hour. And II is tht
only thing II was because she hast.
ened that her sorrow came to go earJ
an end.
/ Why did Elisha send Ciehazi to la,
/ his staff upon the face of the child
! Did he suppose that he was not rea;ly
| dead? Did he expect supernatura
| power to pass through his prophetic
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10
BY Adele L. Thompson.

by A0S4e %. lnOLlpSou
There was q nice big stone beside
thu path and MAYA sat down. not be-
cause she was tired. only she want
ed more time TO look at the burden
she put so carefully on her knees
nine dear. fluffy yellow chickens! 1t
was no wonder MAYA smiled, that
she had been smiling ell the way
from Mr.. Brilrs, for the chickens
were her very own. Their mother
had been killed by dog and Mira.
Brill had said that MAYA might have
them.
Mava had thought nothing could
be so pleasant as summer In the
country. There she could take Off
her shoes and stockings and run bare
foot and be out OF doors all day In
the beautiful green world, and now
to have nine fluffy. yellow chicks gave
the very last touch to her happiness
But she did not sit still long. for
she wanted to show the chickens at
home. Mother DEAR" MAYA called
as she came around the corner OF
the veranda, carefully holding her hat
with both banda see these dear
chickens; Mrs. Brill gave them to
me / can keep them. cant I?'
They are very dear"--Mava' 3
mother was holding one of the yellow
balls against her cheek-'but who 10
going to take care OF them? ?"
81 am" answered Maya. Mrs.
Brill told me how. 1t Is so warm
they will want TO be out of doors
most of the time. and they must
have chick food and sand and water
| shall love TO take care of them
'.Or SO you think now" corrected
Mava's mother But do you remem-
Der when you wanted the rabbits, and
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

hcS. IN. M. WhhTNiAs Ds -.
Rev. II. M. Wharton, D. D.. Is now
engaged in special meetings, aiding
the pastor, DR.. w. c. James, at the
Grove Avenue Baptist church in Rich
mond. DIR. Wharton is known far
and wide al an evangelist of singu-
lar winsomenexs and power. He has
held successful meetings in every i'm
portant city east of the Rocky Noun
tains. and in hundreds of town and
country churches. He Is a native of
Culpeper county, and his first pastor
ate was at Luray, Va From Luray he
went to Baltimore, where he became
pastor of the Lee Street church, sue
ceeding Rev. John Pollard, ID. D..
who had come from that church to
the Leigh Street church in this city.
AT a later period he organized and
became pastor of the Brantly church
In Baltimore, and during his pastor
ate built the handsome and commo-
dious house of worship which that
church now occupies. 1t is now the
largest Baptist church In Baltimore,
and is very active and progressive.
DIR. Wharton was associated with
the late Dwight l.. Moody in many
of his great meetings. He comes to
Richmond now fresh from participa-
ton in the great Chapman-Aiexander
meetings In Brooklyn.
He is a man Of fine personal ap-
pearance. with a voice of singular vol
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

In the table below are found the
statistics of 1909 and 1910, taken from
the estimate made by Dr. IT. K. Car
roll. The figures for the Methodist
Episcopal Church. South, are taken
from the General Minutes. The Dis
ciples OF Christ stand highest in per-
centage og gain. .07. 1t should be re-
membered that according to DR.. Car
rolls figures, this Church showed a
net loss In membership for the year
before This we think is incorrect
The Baptist tSouth) stand next. with
a gain of .o6. The Methodist Episco-
pal Chruch, South. stands third. with
a gain of .026.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10
SOME STATISTICS

We publish below the statistics OF
six branches OF Methodisn for 1905 and
1910. IL will be seen that the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, South, made the
greatest percentage of gain in mem
bers. l2-i per cert or the three ne
gro churches, only the Coiored Metho-
dist Episcopal Church made any gain.
There is a remarkable decrease for the
African Methodist Episcopal Church.
A loss OF 342,023 mem bers In four
years only shows that there has been
some bad bookkeeping. The figures
are taken from the compilation made
by DIR. II. X, Carroll, with the excep-
ttor that the figures for the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, are taken
from the General Minutes:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10
GEMS OF THOUGHT

To sin by sin snce, when We should pro-
test.
Makes towards out of meE.
The human race has climbed on pro-
test
Had no voice been raised against in
justice. ignorance and lust.
The Inquisltion Yet would serve the
law.
And guillotines decide our least dis
putes
The few who dare must speak and
speak again
To right the wrongs of many.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
ldleness Is one OF the greatest enc
mics of character. AS some one has
said: The devil tsmpts other men.
but idle men tempt the devil" Do
not envy the idle man, whoever you
may envy. Y GU may have too much
to do and too many things TO think
about: still, do not envy the man
who has not enough to think about
and has to fall back upon himself.
The Passions Of human nature break
loose in idle men and wander over
forbidden places seeking what they
can devour.--Dr. James Stalker.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

The typewriter girls Of the British
War ONCE have lately received cir
cular from their department.. giving
them directions as TO clothing ana diet
The circular was issued. because It was
noticed that the girls wsre absent on
sick leave more frequently than the
men who worked beside them. Warm,
common sense clothing must be worn
and nutritious body building food Sc
looted. Thin waists ana sweet trifics
OF diet are not allowed. The War or
fee explains that these directions are
not arbitrary. but founded upon the
laws OF health. and must BIO respected
IL thu girls would avoid infiucnza and
other similar ailments.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

The next table shows the statistics
for eleven Churches for 1906 and 1910
IL Will be seen that the, PreSbytertans
tNorth) had the largest percentage OF
gain IN mem bership, II. The Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, South, stands
fourth in the list, with a gain OF 13
per cent. IL win be noted that the
gains for the Disciples OF Christ and
the Baptists (North) show the same
percentage OF gain OF, The Baptists
tsouth) stand second, with a gain Of
10 per cert.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

American progress Is based upon the
fact that the best In all classes Of
people decline to stay put A happy
supplted BY . correspondent Of the
Worlds Work: II was brought IN In 4
log cabin with one window and four
small panes Of greasy muslin. nv
One Of these children 10 professor 81
botany In Maryland Agricultural Col
loga; another. n an axpArt In plant
breeding In the Department OF Agrf-
landscaps gardeners wife 1t Buffalo:
another n the wife Of Z prosperous
contractor and builder in Idaho, and
my baby girl 10 teaching domestic
Colorado
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

Happiness grows at our own fire.
sides. and Is not to be picked in
strangers gardens.r~Douglas Jerrold.
Verify / say unto you. the heart
OF man that loves Is a paradise on
earth. He has God within him, for
God is love ..,.....
A friend whom you have been
gaining during your whole life you
ought not to be dispeased with in a
moment A stone liz many years be-
coming ruby: take care that you
do not destroy II in an instant against
another stone.--SaadI.
There in an idea abroad among
moral people that they should make
their neighbors good. One person /
have TO make good. myself; but my
duty to my netghbor IL much more
laaarly expressed by saying that I
have to make him happy. II may
Roberr Louis Stees nson.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

have heard Of a boy who lived long
ago.
tsuch boys are not found nowadays
though!)
His friends were as troubled az they
could be
Because Of q hole in his memory.
message for mother went in one day.
The boy answered Yes" and hurried
away.
But he met . lad with a musical ton.
And his mothers words throuxh this
hole did drop.
a lesson went in, but--ah, me, an, mey
For the boy with the hole In his mem.
oryi I
When he rose to recite. he was al In
doubt,
Every word OF the lesson had fallen
out.
And at last one day--oh, terrible lot!
He could speak only these words. r
forgot"
Would IL not be. sad r. you were to be
Like the boy with hole In his mem-
Dry?
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

II you desire a stenographer. type
writer. or help OF any kind, use the
Richmond Yirgtnian Want Ads.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

Plans have been formulated BY the
missionary committee Of the Prot
estant Episcopal diocese OF Maine for
having every church In, the diocese
visited BY one or more members 81
the committee with the view OF pre-
senting the missionary work OF the
denomination and interesting the W.
rious parishes In larger participa-
tinn n tho work OF evangoltxing the
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

Hou sometimes SEQ m old Joke
wrapped up In such new clothes thak
Il gsas Awav without bstnS eaushE !,
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10
Elisha, the Prophet, Restores Child to Life
BY Edward Leigh Pell, D. D.

The sundayschool Lesson Kings ss7,
reprinte
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

The Official papers OF the Metho-
dist Episcopal church show a loss OF
$1,000 subscribers In the last sfx
years.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

The Woman's American Baptist
Home Mission Society employed last
year 800 missionaries teachers. and
matrons In Its work among negroes
in the South. immigrants on the IRON
tier. and among foreigners Of four
teen uattonalities
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

Ex-President Roosevelt II to de-
liver q lecture In the Greek theateY
at Berkeley. CAL. March Is. under
Congregational auspices. which In to
be the first notable address In connec.
tion with the approaching tercenten.
airy OF the King James version OF the
English Bible.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-10

Rev. George Washington, q Semin-
ole Indian. left Wewoka, Okla, and
has gone TO Florida a. a missionary
to the remnant OF the Semtnoles who
stin live In the everglades of Florida.
He IL supported by the Wewoka In
dian church
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-03-29
hReaM 0fReHqj0n


between the religious conservatism
of this region and the great instellect
ual ferment of the age says Presi-
dent w. =. Few Of Trinity college,
North Carolina. Again, the problem
is to keep the good that has come
to us out OF the past and adjust II
to the conditions and needs of the
present lhe inflentfal place which
the church holds in the South
should like to see not only abide but
grow and extend, for 1t Is the busi-
ness of the church to guide the spir-
itual forces that control the world.
The Southern college, II 1t be wise
enough to understand It's opportun-
ity will work in hearty cooperation
with the churches. 1t will not seek
to make friends with the churches
for the purpose of using them as bill
boaras on which to advertise its
wares it win NOT court their good
will in order to rally its constituency
but in all sincerity ii will labor with
them that to the end OF strengthen
Ing and sweetening human life"