The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-03

Christian--aul none has ever given
any but a futile answer. The cultured
unbeiievcr OF modern times, equipped
with tho vast stores Of accumulated
knowledge ana the wondrous resources
OF the science OF our day, and, VIVA;
is more, allowed to think and to OK
press his thoughts unmolcsted By IT.
resistible power. has also faced tho
problem. lie has not indeed attempted
to solve it. for he knows that BY him.
through the iuStrumentalitiea he can
emp!oy, Il is Insoluble The most nc
considers himself able 10 mako OF It
Is that tharc are certain laws appoint
81 to control the pchemc Of things,
that these laws are memorable, ANA
that they are inhexibiy obcyed. one
Of these laws. he linds, is that whom
:. l!ghtad lamp Is applied 10 = mass OF
in1anh,ablc canvas. the canvas will
surely take fire and burn, and that the
combustion itself Is likewise governed
by ineXorable laws, and that the burn
ing mass VIII !nexorab!y burn ,.
otherwise iuJurc whatever vulnerable
thing is in Its way. lie also secs that
it seems 10 be indifferent, SO far as
tho law is concerned. whether It is
Saint PAM Or Judas lscar.ot who has
applied the lamp--thn result Is the
same-only. II Saint Paul be a lame
man, as Is reported of him, 1t Will be
worse for tho saint than for the SIN
ncr Indeed. as we'll as the inquirer
can understand thesc laws, they are
not in the least Influenced by personal
creed OF conduct. The playgocTs OF q
century ago. sinners as they we're
thought to be. and In our time the
thousand little Protest ant Sunday school
worshipcrs OH the steamer Slocunl. ana
the company of little Catholic girls
adjoining the gauzy image OF the Virgin,
~ EnI
same horrible fate-nll pcrishcd help
lessly by fire.
As for me, approaching the majestic
mystery in all reverence. I feel that
can comprehend no more thar :his OF
Gods ways OF ieallng with His uni
vcrSc. There arc laws given by Him
TO What VIC call h'e!ess matter no less
stringent than those given to living
matter. ana whatever may be believed
as TO mans obedience to moral laws,
Gods physical laws are. by material
things at any rate. sacredly obcyed.
Rejecting or this rs I sat with many
others under the massive galley q
the church, realized that had tho
workmcn who long ago constructed It,
Willingly or unwlttingly. vitlliv In
fractcd the law of Eravitation ns y
WAS at this moment operating. there
would even row he another TRAGEDY on
this spot. such as had occurred from n
like infraction sixty rcars actAr the
burning OF tho theatre. at oug C!pi:ol.
An intensely pathetic characteristic
Of nc church Is It's profound reliance
on God. II is indeed "a Characteristic
that deserves 10 be called sublime 1t
is not peculiar to Ch.istianitr. INT
Christianity has developed ana prat-
ticea !; beyond AL other religions.
Through all the churcii's history. from
the days Of unqucstionni; belief to
these Of Widespread skaatirism. lis c;y
out Of the utmost depths mas eve" bc.n.
ct hougii He Stay me. yet will t,i.st
in Him" The feeling is srandiv tx-
crossed in i Is noble hymns. 20. God, our
help in ages past "1'h"u wnst their
Rock, their Fortress, and :hcir Might"
and in L.uther's Psalm,
~ safe stronghold our ci,I.ls still.
y trusty shield ana weapon"
The Christian people Of richmond,
,.mid evastating war ana wasting pes
iilcucr, and WHEN fiery destruction had
swept away their dcar st. ana GDd's
own face was ;tYcrted from them. never
lost their trust in Him. Some OF their
trustful hymns. rail- Of pathos. fun OF
melody. full Of sweetness, they sang
Oh the memorial night An unbclicvcr
who chanccd to he among them. unless
he was hopclessly uDfeclinS. could
scarcely nave TclfaiNeu from lOnS IllS
for Il faith so strengthening, SO COM
for;ing. And as the glorious music
rose 10 heaven, softenIng and blessing
him IS il iioatcd on. though perhaps
he could not quite say, Lord, be-
licvc," it might he that there would
we'll up from his swelling heart the
revcrcnt aspiration, Help thou mine
unbaiicf' WM II. TAYLOR.
January ! ls12.