Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-19
y BISHOP WARREN A. GAMBLER.

is now clearly defined. General Funston
has issued a letter which leaves no room
for doubt concerning the facts in the
case.
When General Funston's letter is TAX
en- with all its obvious implications 1t
virtually confirms all the statements
heretofore made by DR.. Gambrel, and
justifies all the criticism which has been
made upon General Funston.
1t is clear that from the start Cen
eral Funston did not meet the approach
of DR.. Gambrell with any sort of favor.
His courtesy was scant to state the case
mildly.
Among other things contained in Gen
eral Funston's letter is the following
paragraph: II further instructed Col
onel Barnum to say to you (Dr. Gam
brel) that did not accept, in fact, re-
scented the implication that because
man had put on his country's uniform
he was necessarily lost, or worse than
other men, that 1 thought there were
people who had stayed at home who
needed revivals worse than the soldiers
did"
1t is perfectly clear from these words
that General Funston resented any ef-
fort by DR.. Gambrell of an evangelistfc
sort on behalf of the American troops on
the border. He seemed to think that any
such effort carried with it the implica-
ton that the men were rather worse
than other people. Such view is pre-
posterous. Doubtless DR.. GambreH
would say the men were not worse than
others, but he would also affirm, what
no man can deny, namely, that men in
camps are exposed to peculiar moral per-
lis and deserve to receive particular re-
ligious care.
If General Funston resented the spe-
cial efforts of the Baptist evangelists
on such a ground as this, he might
have equally objected to the agents OF
the American Bible society carrying BIZ
bles to the troops. 1t is we'll known that
the Bible society found great restitution
of the Word of God among the troops
on the border, and this fact would show
that there was need of something more
than ordinary efforts on behalf OF the
spiritual welfare of our soldiers.
Why should the commanding general
object to religious work among the
troops? They are not engaged in active
campaigning and much leisure is upon
their hands. This fact exposes them 10
temptations and at the same time leaves
them free to hear the Word of God
preached to them. What possible rea-
son can De OIeTeQ OppOSiHS SpCSIeAA
services in their interest?
The most Objectionable part of
General Funston's conduct is his
avowed opposition to revivals of re-
ligion. In this matter he reveals
great ignorance and oversteps the
bounds of his legitimate authority.
The General seems to be very
jealous about the rights of the men
who do not wish to attend revivals;
but have the men who do wish to
attend revivals no rights?
1t is doubtless true that most of the
men on the border have been brought up
in families attached to those evangelistic
churches which use revivals in prosecut-
ing their work, and these men do not
hold the foolish views which General
Funston entertains upon the subject.
Have they no rights?
Moreover, revivals have had a great
effect in the making of our country. Even
1.-The secular historians agree that the re-
yival known as 1.-The Great Awakening
in which Jonathan Edwards, the Ten
nents. and George Whitefield were the
leaders, had a vast effect In making pos
sible the union of the Colonies and by
unifying them enabling them to secure
their Independence. These historians
agree also that The Great Revival of
1900" rescued the Northwest Territory
from disorder and probably saved 1t from
revolution 1t may be doubted If the
government, as it exist today, would be
in existence, or that General Funston
himself be in command of the American
Army. il these and other great revival
movements had not taken place. OF ali
this religious history General Funston Is
doubtless utterly ignorant; but before
he talks so contemptuously Of revivals 1t
might be we'll for him to read little
history of his own country.
That great Congregational minister,
Rev. Austin Phelps. D. D., who was a.
one time professor in the Andover Theo-
logical seminary, thus discusses revivals
Of religion:
Scarcely can a more memorable
exhibition of God be found than that
presented by a revival of religion.
Historians seldom take note of so
obscure an event; yet If the secret
connections of revivals with the des-
tiny of nations could be disclosed
they would appear to be more crt-
tical evolutions of history than the
Catholic invasions. A volume has
been compiled, narrating the decisive
battles of the world. But more sig
nifcant than this, and probing deep
err the Divine government of the
world, would be the history or re-
vivals."
DR.. Phelps does not exaggerate the
Importance of these great spiritual
movements, but simply discusses them
in a clear and striking manner. he
claims no more for revivals than the
skpetical historian Leckey confesses con-
corning the Wesleyan revival in Eng
land during the Eighteenth Century.
Leckey says:
although the career of the elder
Pitt. and the splendid victories by
land and sea that were won during
his ministry form unquestionaoly
the most dazzling episodes in the
reign of George II, they must YIELD
/ think, in real importance to that
religious revolution which shortly
before had been begun in England
by the preaching Of the Wesleys
and Whitfield. The creation of a
large. powerful, and active sect ex-
tending over both hemispheres, and
numbering many millions Of souls,
was but one of its consequences. 1t
also exercised a profound and last
ing influence upon the spirit of the
Established Church. upon the
amount and distribution of the NOR
al forces, and even upon the course
of it's political history"
To the same purpose speaks the Aus
tralian historian, w. H Fftchett in his
admirable work entitled, How England
Saved Europe" who says:
Great Britain was invigorated by