The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-07

would be continued under the sanction of the
law, the seeds of disease bringing shame. steril-
fty, disease and death to unborn children and
the generations to come, would continue to be
scattered broadcast throughout the cities and
country districts Of our State. Mercy and pity!
Certainly we believe In both. but we cannot agree
to condemn the innocent with the guilty. and
to show pity and mercy to the sinful women at
the expense Of the pure and virtuous wives and
mothers of our State"
The Virofnian believes that the men are
equally guilty with the women. but the point of
its argument was that the houses Of illfame
should be closed. that the sinners of both sexes
might be prohibited from practicing immortality
under the sanction of the law until January L.
1915 because TO do would not only result In the
continuance of open immortality. but would
punish the pure and virtuous wives and mothers
Of our State"
Furthermore. The Virointrn does not believe
that Mr.. surber justify his wholesale in
dictment Of the men who are advocating the
passage Of moral measures by the general as
senbly. The ministers. to whom he refers all
teach morality and the Christian religion" from
their pupits as he can discover II he attends
upon their ministrations. 1t is because they
teach morality and the Christian religion, that
they advocating the passage of measures by
the general assembly which will promote
morality. 1t is absurd and unreasonable to
declare that ministers have lost "all sense of
reason and charity. impinging upon the
constitution which separates church and State
ETC." as Mr.. Surber declares, because ministers
and leading laymen and elect women are urging
the passage OF three or four bills by the general
assembly. II manufacturers and bankers and
fruitgrowers and oystermen have the right to
invade the halls Of legislation and urge the
passage OF bills pertaining TO their business In
terests. then the leaders OF the moral forces Of
the State. including the preachers (who are
citizens just like other mem. have not only the
right but 1t Is their duty to urge the passage
Of legislation which will diminish vice and
crime and advance the moral welfare OF the
State unless indeed Mr.. Surber and those who
think like him believe that the legislature has
| nothing to do with the moral welfare Of the
State.
| 1t has been held by the highest courts OF the
land that 1t Is the duty of the State indeed of
all forms OF government, to advance morality,
1t is because the forces of evil oppose 80 bitterly
and persistently every effort to protect the
boys and the girls OF our land from the wicked
ness and novetousness of ungod1y and wo
men that victories for moral measures are so
difficult to win. The ministers can well afford
! to endure the criticism OF those who believe
with Mr.. Surber. when they remember what was
said by the writer OF the Epist1e to the Hebrews
concerning their great Master: Consider him
which endured such contradiction OF sinners
against himself. lest ye be wearied and faint in
your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood
striving against sin" The ministry can wen
endure Islander and abuse when they remember
that they shall see OF the travail OF their souls
and shall be satisfied. Many who never know tc
whom they are indebted. will reap the results
OF the labors of those who for the sake Of moral
betterment OF the race have endured sneers and
ridicule abuse and Islander.