The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-06
MAIN IDEA OF CHURCH
IS THAT OF DEMOCRACY
Whole Question Ii a Living Issue OF
Our Time. Says Rev. George
u. Bray.
AFTER THE INDIVIDUAL
False Notion That Church Caters to
Wealthy-Want All Classes Of Citi-
zenship to Join the Lords Hosts.

WeaIthy-Want All Glasses OF C1tt-
zenship to Join the Lords Hosts.
Has the Church a Place and
Value In the World Today" was the
topic Of a strong sermon by Rev.
George L. Bray, pastor Of Clay-Street
Methodist Church, yesterday. He took
as his text, Psalms 4s:12--"Waik
about Zion, and go round about her;
tell the towers thereof" He said In
part:
Those who have investigated, and
are recognized as authorities, tell us
that there can be no reasonable doubt
that this Psalm was written soon
after Jerusalem had been saved from
the hands of Sennacherib, King or AS
syria. That was indeed wonderful
incident, and description of it Is
given in the second book of Kings.
1t is a we'll known principal of
Biblical study that Zion of the Old
Testament Is merged into the church
of the New Testament. That the
former is typical and prophetic of the
latter. The New Testament writer's
have this viewpoint. and. therefore,
we have the right TO adopt 1t. But /
shall have no censure for you IL you
cannot think of the church as Zion.
You seem to be well acquainted
with the fact that the whole question
OF the church, and church attendance
Is a living issue of our town time. 1t
is fact that during the past year
there have been ''Go-to-Church' cam
paigns in almost every community in
the land Great display advertise
ments in the leading newspapers, and
a number Of other clever tricks"
have been resorted to in order to
call the attention of the general pub
lie to the church. 1t would appear
from what We have read and heard.
t{snt-the -"eid-t4me-pFestt saa-af- the
church is seriously threatened. In the
largely read magazines. and other
publications, the whole case Of the
church, so far as being a positive
force or having a place in the modern
life Of the world, Is being challenged
To some extent the business world
has taken the same view OF the
church. In the bushes world there
Is a belief that the church has no
vital place in modern life. Quite
a number OF otherwise good people
regard the church as an antiquated
institution with no real message for
the men OF the age. There are others
who believe that 1t has only a social
message, that Jesus Christ was So
dom is only intended 10 be sort OF
social establishment where each tndi-
vidual will share the labor OF the
other With alfthis before US. / wish
simply to ask you to go with me round
about the church, and number her
towers. Has the church value In the
life of the world. and what are some
of the towering ideas of the church?
A Towering Idea.
One Of the towering ideas of the
church Is that of democracy. The
church is the most democratic organi-
cation in the world today. The church
takes In the whole world. The rich
and the poor. the high-born anu
the humble, the educated and the
ignorant. and the good and the bad
all find a place of welcome in the
church. The door of the church
swings wide to all who will come.
There is a comfortable seat and a
hearty welcome waiting. know
there Is an idea abroad in the land
and especially among the class OF our
sturdy citizens who compose the labor
world, that the church OF today caters
entirely to the wealthy.
1t seems to be the belief Of a large
number that the church only wants
the rich. 1t is a false notion. First
of all we want you've want the
individual. When we get you to
recognize the value OF the church
we will get all the money we need
The motto Of Socialism is From
every man according to his ability, 70
every man according to his need. 1
am not a Socialist, and never can be,
but nevertheless, that is the motto
of the true church.
We are also hearing, or have been
hearing much about beliefs. What
about your beliefs?" is the question
asked. THE church requires GER
tain belief on the part OF those who
come through her doors. cannot
believe. and. therefore. cannot
come" l wish to ask another Ques-
ton Just here:
How do you know whether you be-
lieve in the church or not, until you
come and observe It carefully from
the inside a walile?"
Yes, l know. you say you believe in
what your eyes behold. You believe
In business because you have given the
material side Of your nature chance.
You spend six days among business
men and business interest. and. there
fore. you believe in material things,
Would 1t not be eminently fair for
YOU to give your soul a chance? Would
it not be fair for you to come to
church with open and unpreJuoiceo
mind. Listen to the reading of the
Bible; join In the singing of the
hymns: try to pray to the God In
whom you believe In your heart Of
hearts?"
Would 1t not be entirely fair for
you to do this for a while in order
that you may study the value of the
Christian church I'm the life OF today :?
II you do this for q reasonable time
have no fear but that you will be-
come an enthusiastic churchman.
The ways Of the church are indeed
democratic. The true church Is a
household, that Is to say. family OF
FAITH. There Is equal opportunity
for all to be benefited and to serve
Jesus showed the way of service to the
church by choosing the field OF His
activity. He went not by the way of
the high and mighty. He called no
prince to- His standard. He depend
ed not on wealth or influence to adj