Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-10
SUPREME OPPORTUNITY
OF THE CHURCH IS HERE.
Probably Never Before Has World
Felt So Keenly Need for Religion,
View Of Rev. j. II. Stevenson.
COMMENCEMENT ON AT UNION
Baccaiaureate Sermon Yesterday by
Rev. Ernest Thompson, d. d., Of
Charleston, w. Va, and Sermon to
Society OF Missionary Inquiry.

Throughout the world to-day there
is a greater sense Of need for religion
than has probably ever been known
before" said Rev. J. Ross Stevenson.
D. D., president Of Princeton Theologi-
cal Seminary. last night in his sermon
before the Society of Missionary In
qutry. the discourse being one OF the
opening features OF the commence
ment Of Union Theological Seminary.
'It is the supreme opportunity of the
church for the propagation Of the
truth" DR.. Stevenson declared
The text was Matthew xiv. II: And
the gospel Of the kingdom shall BIO
preached in all the world for a wit
ness unto all nations: and then shall
the end come"
GOSPEL THE REMEDY
FOR WAR AND CONFUSION
The conditions which Jesus de-
scribed In the text" said DR.. Steven
son, ARE similar to those which the
world Is passing through at the pres
ent time. 1t was a time Of war, con-
fusion and uncertainty such as we are
passing through now. and He tells His
disciples that under such conditions
there is just one thing to do. and
that Is to give the gospel of his king
dom to all the people
This corresponds to the worlds SUI
premc need and 1t also corresponds
to present overwhelming desire
There is at present greater sense OF
need for religion than has probably
ever been known before and IL is
the supreme opportunity of the church
for the propagation of the truth
In order to do this we must have
as great loyalty to the Christian cause
as that which the young men of Eu-
rope are displaying for nations
cause. In France and Germany. as
well as England, young men who have
been dissipated and dissolute, salts
ned with unworthy pursuits. have bs-
come noble-spirited and heroic. The
challenge of n great cause has brought
about the transformation
we have n greater cause in n king
dom of truth and good will, which is
TO rule over all, and which is to last
forever. We ought to heed the admo
milton or the great English general,
chinese Gordon, who, when giving a
young man commission, said: Az
Tor instructions, fear God and be afraid
OF nobody
THIS COUNTRY IN DANGER,
STRAIN on ADMINISTER ATxOy
The situation to-day is very much
as Jesus forecasted. Nation has risen
against nation. We have been living
In nope that our own nation would not
be drawn into the struggle. But we
realize that n greater strain Is being
placed on this administration than any
other administration in our time has
had to consider. We are seeing the
utter futility Of education and science
and we are seeing that the only remedy
Is the roofing out OF selfshness There
Is diplomacy OF distrust which only
gospel righteousness can relieve The
gospel must be applied to every rela-
ton and department OF life at home
and proclaimed to the people of every
land"
Comment was made on the effect of
the war on the people OF the warning
countries. 1--WE are living" said Or.
Stevenson. among some of the great
est catastrophes that have been known
in history.
A GREAT CHALLENGE TO
SELF-SACRIFICE, A NEED
The effect in Europe has been no
ticcablc. The churches in Germany and
also in Great Britain are thronged as
'hey have not been in years. In this
country there have been evidences Of
religious feeling that we have not
known in some time The hearts of
men cannot be satisfied with ordinary
pursuits. They are eager to know God
Especially is this true among students.
In tho University of Kansas no less
than 500 students recently stood up for
Christ 700 at Yale. like number at