Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
iDR. BOWIE PAYS TRIBUTE
TO THE JEWISH PEOPLE
In Sermon at ST. Paus He Outlines Effect of This Scat
tered People on Civilization and History of
the Nations of the World

Choosing as his text the "MiGhticst
Influence Upon Civilization,' Rev. w.
Russell Bowie, p. D., in his sermon at
the ST. Pauls Episcopal Church last
night, paid an eloquent and glowing
| tribute TO that small. broken Jewish
nation. scattered to the four corners
OF the earth" as having given to civil
lization the greatest contribution and
welding the mig;ltiest influence in tho
history Of mankind.
In his sermon on the uncomfortable
and permanent results wrought upon
the civilization OF the world DIR. Bowie
spoke of the influence of the children
OF Israel from Il moral. ethical and So
cial standpoint. In each of these scDa-
rate and distinct spheres he showed
how the influence of the Jew had been
supreme, how it had given TO an un-
realizing and unconscious world tho
greatest gifts in their possession.
That the children OF Israel had been
able to bring TO bear this unrivalcd in
tlucnce upon the civilization of man
because they had lived Il life In touch
with God" was the unmistakablc con-
clusion OF DIR. Bowie.
PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY
INSPIRED by JEWISH PEOPLE
In discussing their influence upon
modern times he pointed out that tho
greatest principles esta blishcd by the
greatest statesmen OF the world as the
only right method for the government
of nations were the direct result Of
the inspiration of the preccpts OF the
jewish nation. He declared that the
great principle declaring thar people
should not DC governed by the tyranny
OF the few. nor by men set up as en-
perors, as the irresponsible viccgcrcnts
an End hsIf lN..x. ..l..
ed by the consent of the great demo-
cratic people. owes its inspiration to
the jewish nation. The message OF
Israel is the mighticst force in the
world for real democracy"
Basing his entire sermon on the
prophecy of Micah in chapter vi. "Ie
hath Showed thee. . man. what is good:
and what doth the Lord require OF thee.
but to do justly. and TO love mercy, and
to walk humbly with thy Cod Or.
Bowie showed how the life and the
prophecies of the Jewish nation had
been woven around this saying OF
Micah.
In continuing he said that the great
est things III the world are the things
about which we wonder the least. be-
cause they arc so closely knitted into
the fabric OF the day. The stars. the
sun. the power and strength OF the
moving tide. the power of friendship
call forth no surprise or wonder on
the part OF the average man.
MIGHTY INFLUENCE OF
CHILDREN OF TsRAEI.
so is the influence of the children or
Israel. Although small in number
broken and scattered to the four
corners OF the earth, that small number
has exercised the miE;,tiest influence
upon the thought. literature and Will
o; the world from the beginning OF the
Jewish nation until now"
He said that the biblical figures and
incidents of the Old Testament arc all
familiar words, and that they are better
Known than the history Of this country
and modern nations. The thoughts.
duties and work are saturated with
them.
Gods greatness is measured by the
depths and qualities Of the soul. Their
souls were attuncd TO this greatness;
they lived life in touch with God"
PtcturinE the power, strength and in
nucncc of Bapylo Rome and Greece.
Or. Bowie said that they had left "A
great heritage to the world. but he
showed how it had faded into insight
iicancc in comparison with the influence
OF the Jewish nation. In describing
tho course and history OF the Jewish
nation in contrast with the other ma
iio1s he said that they we're not huild
ing political greatness, that they had
not the siiil or genius OF Rome and
Greece. But they were great in
mightier way. They were a nation
living III light OF eternity. which was
something greater than the pleasures
and comforts OF the day. which are
only passing and Heeting in their en-
ioyment. The nation saw life ms
thing solemn. infinite and of impcrish-
able grandeur. They had the high
sense 10 translate the glory Of Cod"
RELIGION CONCERNED
WITH CONDUCT or MEN
Furthermore they have made the
world know that religion is an intense
~ ethical thing. that 1t is concerned
with the right and wrong in the con-
duct or man. In the past many OF the
less religious nations made living Sacri-
fees TO God in order to receive ma
tcrial wealth. In less crude way
many Of the people OF the present hone
TO solace themselves by building
churches and doing other philanthropic
deeds But that is not enough. DR.
Bowie said AS Isaiah said, the Lord
desires the people to put away evil
from Mine eye; cease to do evil; do
good" The Lord demanded and was
accorded by the children OF Israel con-
slant sacrifice OF heart.
DR.. Bowie finally pointed out that
the Jewish nation made religion not
only moral and ethical thing. bu,
also a social principle. They emphasize
cd fair dealing. justice. Kindness. mercy
and service. The prophets cried out
constantly against the cXaction OF the
t THERE'S SIMPLY \