The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-09-07

greatest who does the most Of good.
And how this old world will be trans
formed when this standard or great
ness becomes the standard OF every
life,
Christ also lead the way to peace by
giving US a formula for the propaga-
ton of truth. Not all of those who
have really desired to do good have en-
ployed tho Christian method-not all
Christians even. In the history of the
human race but two methods have been
used. The first is the forcible method,
and II has been employed most fire.
quently. A man has an idea which he
thinks is good, he tells his neighbors
about il and they do not like II. This
makes him angry; he thinks Ii would
be SO much better for them if they
would like ii. and. Selling aclub, he at
tempts to make them like il. But one
trouble about this rule is that it works
both ways. when a man starts out to
compel his neighbors to think as he
does. he generally finds them willing to
accept the challenge and they spend
so much time in trying to coerce each
other that they have no time left to do
each other good.
The other is the Bible plan--"Be not
overcome of evil but overcome evil with
good" And there is no other way of
overcoming evil. l am not much of
farmer--I get more credit for my farm
ing than ! deserve. and my little farm
receives more advertising that 1T is en-
titled TO. But l am farmer enough to
know that IL / cut down weeds they
will spring up again and farmer enough
TO know that IL plant something there
which has more vitality than the weeds
l shall not only get rid OF the constant
cutting but have the benefit of the crop
besides.
In order that there might be no mis-
take in his plan of propagating the
truth, Christ went into detail and laid
emphasis upon the value of example
80 live that others seeing your good
works may be constrained to glorify
your father which is In heaven" There
is no human influence SO potent for
good as that which goes out from an
upright life. A sermon may be an
swered: tho arguments presented In
speech may be disputed, but no one can
answer Christian life--it is the unan
swerable argument in favor of our re-
ligion.
My faith in the future-and have
falkland my optimism-for l am an
optimist-my faith and my optimism
rest upon the belief that Christ's teach
ings are being more studied today than
ever before and that with this larger
study will come larger application of
these teachings to the everyday life of
the world. and to the questions with
which we deal.
But this Prince of Peace promises
not only peace but strength. Some
have thought his teachings fit only for
the weak and the timid and unsuited to
men of vigor. energy and ambition.
Nothing could be farther from the
truth. Only the man OF faith can be
courageous.
Only those who believe attempt the
seemingly impossible, and, by attempt
ing. prove that one, with God, can
chase a thousand and that two can put
ten thousand to flight / can imagine
that the early Christians who were car
ried into the coliseum to make spec
tacle for those more savage than the
beasts, were entreated by their doubt
ing companions not to endanger their
lives. But kneeling in the center OF
the arena, they prayed and sang until
they were devoured. How helpless
they seemed. and. measured by every
human rule. how hopeless was their
cause! And yet within a few decades
the power which they invoked proved
mightier than the legions of the emper-
or and the faith in which they died
was triumphant DER all the land. 1t is
said that those who went to mock at
their sufferings returned asking them
selves, what is 1t that can enter into
the heart of man and make him die as
these die?" They were greater con-
Querors in their death than they could
have been had they purchased life by
surrender OF their faith.
What would have been the fate OF