The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-09-06
PRICE OF LIBERTY HAS
ALWAYS BEEN BLOOD
Freedom of Worship and Conscience
Cost Europe Lives of Hundred NIL
lion Martyrs, Says Serns.
Last night Evangelist Ser

Last night Evangelist serns con-
Guided his lecture on The Vatican
and the War" During these nights
he has addressed well-filled tent;
and requests are coming In for rope
tition of the lectures. In his sermon
Mr.. Serns said last night:
The great French statesman. Hon
orable Camille Pelletan, has said. II
was during tho epoch when there were
sects and heresies that Christianity
made the conquest of the world
when we think on the illumina-
ton furnished Europe by the Morn
ing Star Of the Reformation and see
the cloud of smoke roll away from
Constance, we begin to appreciate the
awful price paid for liberty of con-
science, and freedom of speech and
the press.
Just as the founders OF Christian
ity were prosecuted because they knew
it was better to obey God than men.
so the apostles of the Reformation
encountered persecution. The price
of dissention, granting independence
of thought IN worship and religion.
cost Europe the blood Of 100. 0o0 900
martyrs The price was dear. but 1t
was worth t. The price of liberty
| has always been blood, and until men
can live in the Gem eterv whore the
enemy of liberty IL extirpated Gods
children will not enjoy the full pur-
suit OF happiness.
| TN the great struggle for freedom
| Of worship. which Europe purchased
SO dearly with her best blood, and
which has been transmitted to ue as
natural heritage, we are but the
recipients OF undeserved blessings. To-
| day we see most alarming revelations.
| Protestants are sheathing the sword,
the Word of God: and in an attempt
to bring about Cancellation with the
| hierarchy whose motto is 'semper
eadem.' are fast surrendering the
cause which cost their benefactors so
dearly"
Evangelist serns then referred to
the large Protestant council held in
| Chicago In December. 1919 (the
quadrenniel session Of Federal Council
OF Churches. He continued: Tn
| commenting upon the work OF this
council, Bishop Mcdowell, Of the
Methodist Church. in his sermon OF
December 4. 1913. at Baltimore, de-
| clared that It was one OF tho most
splendid signs OF the times when the
council drew It's pen through the
| word Protestant When the word
Protestant Is eliminated from the
worlds free institutions. the church
Will nave llItcN tIlc WnIt6 itdS
OF truce to give place to the yellow
and the white flag of truce to give
place to the yellow and the black.
Some may surrender the hard
earned gift of liberty. but the Scrip
lures declare an ultimate and grand
victory for those who through pa
thence keep the commandments of God
and the faith of Jesus.
ANY system that would try to make
men and women good by civil laws
will prove disastrous at the presence
Of the King of kings Only those
who have clean hands and clean
hearts can abide the everlasting burn
ings. This old earth will be Gre
matorium TO all who willfully deny
the faith of Jesus. and the binding
claims of each of the immortal ten
God will have a clean universe in
which the only motive for obedience
win be love"
Tonight Evangelist Serrs lectures
on Finding the Right Church"