The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-27
PREACHER BALkED
At CIDER IN PLEDGE
Congregation Followed Him Unani-
mously-Relents, signs Up, Flock
Follows and Prohibition Sweeps
County.

County.
In a very strong and eloquent adj
dress delivered by Mrs. 8. Hortense
Ropp at the Salvation Armys new
hall on Seventh Street Thursday night,
the speaker recited a most Interesting
incident illustrative of the power OF
influence and the individual Chris
tian's duty to make personal sacri-
fee for the common good.
"A few years ago." said Mrs. Ropp
II spoke to a church congregation
on tn, temperance question ana urged
the principle Of total abstinence from
the use of all intoxicating beverages,
pointed out the plain duty OF the
Christian to make personal sacrifice
in one spirit OF Him who made the
supreme sacrifice for US all. The
truth impressed the congregation AND
at the close Of my address read
tho white ribboners pledge from one
Of the pledge cards and proceeded TO
distribute these cards, handing the
first one to the preacher. who hatly
refused to Sign. | wanted the pas
tors influence. and. surprised at his
blunt refusal, calmly asked him why.
He said audibly: I won't sign any
such pledge' knew the effect OF
my address would be nullifled by this
action, but mechanically. as 1t We're
handed q card to each person In the
church--And did not obtain ono sigma
ture! / had a conversation with the
minister after the benedicton had
bet\ pronounced and asked nm
calmly please to tell me his objection
to the pledge He frankly replied:
I love cider and drink II. and ] see
no harm in it, l undertook TO tea
son with him along the line OF innu-
ence and self sacriflce-told him how
cider was so often the kindl.ng wood
OF the alcoholic fire tina. consumes
the souls OF men for whom CHRIST
debut he was obdurater and upon
leaving him. l said: Ny brother. the
advice am about to give you is NOT
in anger or resentment, but honest
words from my heart. If you are ur-
willing to make SO small personal
sacrifice for you feilowmen as fore
going a glass of cider. you should re-
Sign your commission as minister
Of the Christ gospel" l went to my
room. burst into n food OF tears and
prayed earnestly that the minister
might turn from the error OF his
way. The good man came 10 the
meeting the next day and said he had
given the matter prayerful thought
ana was convinced his action was
wrong. signed the pledge all his
church members and many outsiders
followed his example, temperance
revival started and swept the COM
munity for prohibition"
Mrs Ropp gave many examples OF
the power OF influence and strongly
stressed tho Christian virtues OF hui
mtl.ty. kindness and helpfulness. IF
some OF the flowers with which caskets
are laden were strewn along the path
ways a re living, Post-mortenl love
is "a vain hing The old world Is
hungry for love-
The hall was filed with the friends
OF the Army and OF the speaker. who
IS well and favorably known here
from her memorable and effective
campaigns for prohibition in 1914 un-
der the auspices of the w. c. 7. T..
and which were so effective. During
one OF these visits Afjutant Johnson
secured her promise 10 speak In his
new hall when completed. and she
is filing the engagement
Mrs Ropp speaks Sunday afternoon
a, s4s o'clock at william Byrd Park
and at o'clock in the evening at
the new Salvation Army Hall She Is
certainly an eloquent and effective
evangei and proclaims the old gospel
in sweetness and simplicity, eschew-
Ing all the new cults OF marked
down" religion