The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-15
HIGH TRIBUTE PAID
CONFEDERATE LEADER
General Robert +. Lee EuIogized by
Rev. F. T. McFadcn I'm First
Presbyterian Church.
ANNUAL SERMON TO LEE CAMP
Preacher Bcstows Many Praises Upor
Gray-C Clad Soldiers Who Fought and
Blcd Under the South's Gallant
Chieftain.

Paying a high tribute to the gray
clad soldiers who fought for the Con-
federate cause during the War Be-
tween the States, DIR. F. T. McFaden
preached the annual sermon last
night before K. f. Lee Camp members
in First Presbyterian Church. The
church was taxed to it's capa city, there
being large number of members Of
other patriotic organizations present
at the services.
DR.. McFaden began by stating That
Il was a privilege to have the MEM
bers of r. e. Lee Camp In the First
Presbyterian Church and an honor to
speak to such an organization that
represented the integrity and honor
and Christian heroism of the old
South, than whom the world never
saw better, and by the inspiration Of
whose example the new is of value
and power today.
TT is a duty we owe the living as
well as the dead to keep in memory
the events of the past. 1t is an obli-
CATION that we discharge to our chill
dren. Holy Writ teaches the lessons
of memorials. Gilgal's stones meant
a lesson of deliverance. Even the
Master established a perpetual mes
morial-'This do in remembrance of
Me-
Particularly appropriate that this
service should be held near the birth
day Of him from whom your camp
receives its name and who was the
matchless leader of an army second to
none in the annals of history. He
was the parable leader and
Christian gentleman. the product of
Virginia soil ana culture and Christian
grace.
&. - 7 -, a Al
Of whom / speak tonight. No tongue
or men OF mine could do him Justice
He needs no eulogy. His shrine is
in the hearts OF the people which
time will not destroy. But / would
speak of those who followed hirt and
the lessons which we need to EN-
phasze today. in the life of our IapI
Upon their courage and devotion
and constancy Lees eternal fame ard
glory were founded, Not that ! woula
take one iota from his glory. Nor do
I. Niagara is one II has a world
wide glory We thank God for is
creation. But many rivulets flow
quietly by farmhouse AMI hamlet into
the streams that make the Niagara.
Il is OF him and Of them OF whom |
speak tonight in the presentation and
emphasis of some truths that are all
but ever new.
a. We need TO learn from them
the value of principle in its relation
TO country. Patriotism should be
elevated to the position q "a Christian
virtue. Jerusalem was something
more than the capital of Davids
Kingdom. 1t was the embodiment of
theocratic government. So he said:
II | forget thee. q Jerusalem, let my
right hand forget her cunning. To
fail in duty there, was treason
against Cod Jesus OF Nazareth took
not away that truth. bat only en-
phasized it. He taught that the
claims Of patriotism upon us were as
real and imperative as religions
claims John Stuart Mil the great
est writer on liberty, recognized it
when once he said; a great crisis in
the history OF liberty seems to me TO
have come at the Cross OF Jesus Of
Nazareth. Ne man can ignore his
relations TO his country or neglect
civil obligations and not sin against
God. Human government is ordained
OF God II patriotic spirit dies out of
man or Is ignored, liberty and in
teSrity will not long survive
Or McFaden showed how the fol-
lowers OF Lee had been actuated by
these principles, and though defeated
as an army. had been large factor
In saving constitutional government
for the nation. and through fiery or
deals had helped to lay the founda-
ton for the power and glory OF the
present Union. Such devotion 10
principle is needed in political life.
where too often life has dwindlel into
being a hunt for the main chance In
stead of an acceptance of opportunity
to the State. Likewise such example
is desired in the business, relisious.
social life.
"2. We need to learn and emphasize
the moral heroism of the men OF Lees
army. Their physical courage was
unparalleled. No Roman legion nor
Spartan soldier gave a finer example
of physical bravery. But that courage
and that was the outcome ana out
growth OF faith--faith In themselves
in the righteousness of their cause
faith above all in God. To believe is
to be hold-and that sort of courage
is the secret of character That ex-
plains to a large extent for the lead
ership of the men who returned from
the war in business, social. political
life Abraham. when he went out not
knowing whittier ne went was scarce
ly a more striking example. In The
quest Of truth. in true worship, in
duties of life. in death itself they en-
dured as seeing Him who is invisible.
%. We would need to learn from
them that service for the right is in
the long run ana always the success
full service"
DR. McFaden showed how the prin-
ciples for which these men labored
have been acknowledged as true today,
even though they were defea led in
arms but showed how even In the con-
test of life. success of character is de-
veloped and won, though there may
not come the success of achievement
In conclusion, the speaker appealed
to the veterans present still to remain
on guard and challenge any one who
seeks admission to places of trust who
cannot give the countersgn known
only to those whom virtue exalts and
character crowns. and to follow the
great captain of their salvation who
when fifc's battles are over will give
the palm OF victory and the crown of
eternal life.
The choir. composed of Professor j.
Lamont Galhraith and Miss Kuyk. Mrs
Hamilton Smith Mr.. Shanitz and Mr.
Ludwig. rendered excellent music for
the occasion.