The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-22
AUDIENCE CHEERS
BIBLE REFERENCE.
Minister'S Statement That 1t
Should Be Read in Schools
Warmly Applauded.
STIRRING SPEECH BY HAND
Junior Order Holds Big Wash
ington Day Celebration at
Auditorium.

Two thousand men and women
cheered, applauded and waved tiny
American flags following the declara
ton OF the Rev. Leslie j.. Hand, Junior
past State councillor of New Jersey, at
the Washington birthday celebrat ton
OF the Junior Order of United American
Mechanics and the Daughters of Lib
erty last night in the City Auditorium
that the Bible must be read in tho
pubic schools" Coming without warn
lms, the sentiment so passionateiy
shouted by the New Jersey minister
seemed TO carry the audience Off it's
feet.
Such applause does my heart good"
said the speaker when calm reigncd
Tor moment. TO perpctuate the
splendid heritage of our forefathcrs to
the coming generations it is absolute
ly necessary to read the Bible to the
young people as they grow up. Get the
Bible before our children. If we are to
develop the finest qualities in our race,
was delighted this morning to hear
OF the recent action of your School
Board. would go farther however,
and make the teaching of the Bible Il
part of the regular school course.
Il have no sympathy for the man
who is afraid to have the Bible read in
the public schools. He had better get
on his knees and renew his allegiance
to his God"
SHTrtcu BlDic ana Flag.
Then while the band on the stage
played The Star SpanEled Banner"
three Whitehead little girls and one
boy marched to the front bearing an
open Bible and huge American flag
There they struck tableau and Da-
Wis Bottom. presiding officer, said: THE
two fundamentals of our civilization"
DR.. Hands illusions to the recent
controversy in Richmond over the adj
visibility Of having the Bible read in
pubic schools rs Il part Of the daily
opening exercises came at the conclu-
sion of long grafton on the subject
The Underlying Principles OF True Pa
trlotism IT is Il blessing, he said. to
live in this age; the golden age of edu-
cation and industrial expansion But
IL the nation is to keep forging ahead
on the right lines, soul culture and
moral development must keep pace
with progress along other lines
The reading OF the Bible in the pub
lie schools is the first step toward soul
culture. he said. The nation Is going
about the reforms which are needed in
the wrong way: these progressive
steps must not be sought so much
through the intervention Of Presidents
and Congresses. but must come
through the moral development Of the
race. Instead of devoting so much
time to clothes and personal adorn-
ment, men and women should think
what to do TO help their neighbour he
said.
BY $3.50 the main floor OF the Audi
forum was two-thirds filed. and peo-
pie continued to stragglc in after the
Blues Band had played the overture
which opened the meeting. Following
prayer by DIR. j. b. Hutson, the audi
ence sang America" under the lead
ership OF Professor j. Herbert Mercer.
The spirited recitation by Mrs. Eula
Bailey Crouch of Raise the Flag on
Every Schoolhouse" was greeted with
applause that ended in graceful en-
core. Mrs. Jennie Proctor, OF Freder-
icksburg. sang two very pretty songs
In n charming voice.
In short and graceful speech Mayor
Ainslie introduced DR.. Hand. who de-
livered the principal address. The
meeting adjourned with the singing Of
"Blest BE the Tie That Binds"