The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-21
PR0SPfR|AG BUT IS
CITY RICH TOWARD Cow
Alaskan Missionary. an Old RfchmneAdl
Boy. Brings Out Pertinent
Thought in Sermon.
breaches IN OLD ST. JoHNs
-
Not Pcssiinistic Eut Sees Sad Lack a.
Many Old Friends Enjoy Serraon Of
Rev. Guy Christian, Who VIII ne.
turn To- AIaskan Field.

Rev. Guy Christian, a native of
Richmond and well remembered by 4
large number of friends here, ON Sum
day evening filled the pulpit OF old
st. Johns Episcopal Church. He has
for some years been engaged in the
Episcopal mission field of Alaska,
where success has followed his labors.
His Sunday evenings discourse was
strong contrasting of the value OF
material and spiritual things. In the
course of his discourse he referred
TO the impression the city made upon
him after an absence of twelve years.
There has been wonderful commercial
and industrial progress, he declared
expansion of territory, once old fields
now occupied by handsome dwellings
and stores, many fine school build
ings added and every evidence pre-
sented of wonderful material pro.
gress--but impressivefy asked the
preacher. What of the city's spiritual
development and progress ?" He
wished it understood that he was no
pessmist. and that he did not over
look the bright side, but the dark
spot is too large. Look at your
hurrying. busting crowds In how
many faces do you see serious soul
purpose? The young people are Civ
ing themselves over TOO largely to
frivolity and the quest of amusement
leaves no time for the proper contem-
plation of the serious and vital things
OF life. There Is a serious neglect
of filling the mind with knowledge.
Few Think For Themselves.
Few people, comparatively speak
ing. thing for themselves. and are
able To converse inteiligentiy on
great problems of the day. Why,
way out IN the interior of Alaska
people are better informed than
many who have your great advan-
tages here. Baiment and the meat
that perishes seem to be the prevails
ing Idols. Nor is the raiment wor-
ship confined to the female sex ex-
clusiveB," Continuing he asked how
many of the women who speak on ths
street corners for suffrage are willing
to speak there on matters of spiritual
concern? ?" These criticisms. he AYERS.
We're not more applicable to Rich-
-mnnd than other communities, but
were specially noticeable TO a visiting
Richmonder after an absence OF many
years. The miasma of materialism
is sapping the spiritual force of the
church too largely and it is we'll for
us to look the situation squarely in
the face and for the church to rally
its forces in formity with the
Saviour's enunciation of life's great
truth that the body is more than
raiment and the meat that perishes.
and that the development of the
spiritual faculties is the vital Concern
of life
The sermon was clothed in beauts-
full language, and delivered in a calm
and impressive manner. commanding
the undivided attention of the congrc-
CATION.
Glad Hand Extended.
At the conclusion of the service q
large number of the minister's old
friends fingered to give him the glad
hand, including some who had como
from the western part of the city.
All of the odd Richmond boys"
chums and friends who cordially
greeted him congratulated him upon
his successful career and even moro
promising future.