The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-11-01
WHEN TRUTH COMES IN
0PTIM|!M PREVAILS
Honesty In business Methods
and Dealings.
WITH
PEsSS1MfSM
AWAY
Rev. r. \. Smoot Brings Good News
From Busy Cary street. Where He
Says Profanity Docs Not Exist.
Good Business Policy.

Honesty in business, optimism, and
a nand-to- hand trip through life with
the spiritual smile of consecva don,
was the theme of strong sermon to
the Rotarians last night. by Rev. T.
A. Smoot. at Centenary Methodist
Church. His subtect was The Good
New Times.
No one loves the pessimist, But he
is here, and he is found sometimes
among the preachers of the Word of
God. He tells of the truths of the
Gospel but he tells 1t with such a
drawn out expression ard such an
air o, uncertainty that at once he is
put down IS a pessimist, and rather
than bringing light into mans soul
he casts shadows of gloom, and
spreads clouds of despair.
Be An Optimist.
The optimist is the man who speaks
with profound conviction. and car
ries final note, Of triumph.
I'VE do not care to have the
pessimist In our midst" said the
preacher. The old days are gone.
The man who had no chance in those
days, is the man who has a chance
now. He is the man of the hour.
Never in all history has the young
man had such an opportunity as now.
Religion and business must go to-
gether to be successful They are
fundamental and cardinal parts Of
each other.
There has been from time i'm
memorial a scramble among boys to
enter the professions. II boy wishes
to engage in industrial pursuits he
should have the God-speed of his
family and friends. The world grows
more honest as the onward move
ment to elevate the commercial and
business life of the present day pro-
ceeds.
No CusaiR' in Cary Street.
II was glad the other day, when I
took a stroll through Cary Street
where the congestion is greatest, to
hear no words Of profanity. This Is
a good sign, and means much for the
efforts of the men who are oonse-
Grating themselves toward the work
OF God. The man who finds happiness
in his work is the successful one In
these good times men viii regard con-
secration in business which leads to
closer companionship with God
The speaker referred to the great
good the moving picture Is doing the
masses of people. He said censorship
could not be too close, thereby giving
TO the public the most enlighteniug of
Illustrations. He was also strong in
his condemnation of crooked athletics,
and felt glad that there had been
great change for the better in recent
years
Men will retrograde in the wheel
of industry, unless progress IL made
through spiritual grace" said MIR.
smoot. Work is good, for all OF us.
The most unhappy OF men Is the man
who does not have TO work. We should
all want to do something toward the
development of the world. and this
must be done through holiness.
"Hed-Blooded Man.
The old holy man. WAS not the right
one. He used to sit aloof. A wizened
man OF skin and bone. who did not
mix with human kind. There are some
of that kind now. God likes the red
blooded mantle man who mixes with
his fellow man. not the weakened one.
THE man who is filling his niche
honestly and faithfully. and is con
secrated to the great task of life liz
are setting the standard of life. Bust
ness men are making the theology of
life, not the preachers. Both are go
ing 10 mingle more and more to-
gether. Both worship the same God.
THE man who is honest and truth
full in business, has the right to be
worshipful in the house OF God. II
religion is going to appeal to men,
then the pews must be filled with
honest business men and not crooks.
1t is good business policy to do that
(which Is right"