The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-21
DEFENDS
MODERN BUSINESS
Minister Declares Most Trade
Transactions Are on Square
and Honest Basis.

The vast majority OF busine s.
transactions are on square and hon
est basis. and we should set ourselves
to the task of overthrowing the bic
rascals who place before our American
people the bad example Of dishonest
and unfair business methods" said
Rev John Roach Straton. d. d. OF
Baltimore. in his sermon at the First
BAPTIST Church last night a large
congregation heard him with deep In
terest Good singing was feature
DR.. Straton had announced as the
subject OF his first sermon In the re-
vival meetings now in progress at this
church The Worlds Biggest and Best
Business" He said In part:
This is day Of great business en-
terprises. We see them around MS on
every side. 1t is q busy. busting
time. The emblem OF this age might
we'll be a whirring wheel. and its en-
sign the smoke banner OF rushing
locomotive. The outstanding charac
teristic Of the age In which we live
is its colossal commercial enterprises
and It's business activity, We should
not despair of tho age for that rea-
son. Some dcplore the fact that we
are living In q practical era, and de
clare that men have degenerated into
a race Of mere money lovers and
money grubbers. Such an assertion
is u libel on our modern times. which
eXemplify the highest and most mag
niiicent civilization that the world has
ever seen.
There is more OF charity. more OF
enlightenment more OF poetry. chival-
~ and romance in tho twentieth cen
fury than in any age OF the past.
Requires Itenl Ability.
And ours is not only Il good age,
but supremely great age as we'll.
It requires as much ability to con-
ceive and execute great business en-
industry. or any one Of our insurance
! companies or railway systems as it
did TO write Hamlet or the 'Iiiad' or to
win the battle OF Waterloo II is a
different sort OF ability. to be sure.
yet it is very great, nevertheless: and
our modern. typical business man ex-
rounded manhood that the world has
yet seen. And tie practical work OF
this business age has dcep mission.
for It is binding the nations OF the
the day of universal peace"
DR. Straton deplored the bad ethics
OF the day In some parts Of the bust
ness world. but said at the same time
there was much room for optm SIN in
regard to business conditions THE
very fact, said he. that there is so
and dishonesty Is proof OF progress
and not OF degeneracy Dishonesty
has always existed. hut the discussion
OF 1t to-day demonstrates keener
public conscience against It, and con-
ditions are getting better ell the
'rhe most important business in the
world, however continued the speaker
us tho Kings business II is the win
ming OF souls--the bringing OF men into
touch with Gods righteousness.
First, soul winning is the worlds
biggest and best business because of
its partnership, This partnership is a
partnership between God and man
When we enter into this business we
become fellow workers with the
Divine, and all the resources OF heaven
are behind us in the work.
Second, soul saving is tho worlds
biggest and best business because OF
Its field Of operations. The field Is the
world Every business enterprise
seeks the widest field for It's opera
tions Christianity has set, itself the
task or capturing the soul markets OF
the whole world The purpose OF Our
Divine partner. Jesus Christ, is to cap
ture the whole world for Himself and
Ills truth"
Third. tho last reason for believing
that soul saving is the worlds biggest
and best business Is the splendid III
terest that comes from even he
smallest Investment"
Dr. STATIONS subject tonight viii
he The Mos: Valuable Thing in the
4 ,t,rr n y. :