The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-05-31
|l[L GLASSES WTlllI
INTERESTED N WAR
Commission o. Religious Forces Ad-
dresses Letter to Entire Ministry
of State.
WHAT WAR REALLY MEANS.
Menace OF German Ruthlessncss
Would Extend to Our Own Shores
II Not Confined BY Force of Arms
to Present Area.

10 UDta1u the cooperation or the
clergymen of the state in bringing
the issues of war, the consequences
Of the country's participation, and the
necessity Of concerted support to the
government, before the people of Vir-
ginia the commission of religious
forces. appointed by Governor Stuart
upon the recommendation of the
state council of defense, has mailed
the following letter to the pastors of
all churches throughout the state:
The Governor of Virginia. upon the
recommendation of the council of de-
Tense, has appointed a commission of
religious forces of the state to as
sist in arousing our citizenship to a
better realization of the seriousness
Of the situation occasioned by the
terrible war into which we have been
unavoidably drawn. All classes of
our people. regardless of creed, are
vitality concerned In the issues of this
struggle. The cause of religion and
morals, OF civil Righteousness and
liberty in at stake.
Tells Of Telton Barharity.
In. Europe large numbers OF
churches have been defiled or de-
stroyed: thousands of innocent peo-
pie, many of them helpless women
and children, have been ''cruelly en-
treated" deported into virtual slavery,
or slain in cold blood; sacred treaties
between nations have been disregard
ed: the rights of -combatants and
neutrals have been despised; interna-
tional law has been trampied under
foot; the high seas have been made
unsafe for travel and commerce by
the piracy of German submarines:
the general rights of humanity have
been violated: and the civilized world
has become involved in a state OF
turmoil and strife such as history
has never known. The war has al
ready devastated Belgium, Northern
France, Serbia, Roumania and Po-
land. filling these lands with blood
and hunger. bitterness and tears; ana
1t now threatens the whole Of Europe
with famine. The amount Of suffer-
il beyond the power OF words to de-
scribe. They are crying to us for
help. and we must not close our ears
to their cries All the reserve powers
of our people should be enlisted, as
speedily as possible, in a mighty ef-
fort to go to their assistance.
Would Reach Our Own Shores.
Nor can we hide from ourselves the
unwelcome fact that should Germany
succeed in her purpose of dominating
| Europe, her ruthless and cruel
| shores Trusting apparently only In
| force and Discrimination, destitute of
magnanimity In dealing with her an
| tagonists. desperate, pitiless. relent-
less and unforgiving. the imperial
government Of Germany. II She, sue
ceeds in bringing the war to this side
of the sea, will not hesitate to infiict
upon this country serious injury, and
exact from 1t large indemnity. We
I T. ~ t. 49, N~,1x- -
| help our allies abroad, who are de-
pending upon us, but we are also in
it to defend ourselves and our institu-
tons The entente allies are fight
| ing for the sacred principles of JUS
tice and liberty, and these are the
principles our fathers fought for.
which we fondly cherish, and must
maintain for our children. The situa-
ton calls for the sympathy ana ac-
tive efforts Of all of our citizens In
the support OF the government. There
are many things which. as sincere be-
levers IN God, in righteousness and
lin free government. we can do: and
Ito some Of them we venture to call
your attention
1. As ministers and religious teach
ers we should encourage our people
to steadfastness of faith in God, and
In His righteous providence in deal
| ing with men and nations: to the
duty and privilege Of prayer: and to
unbroken maintenance OF religious
services and activities.
/ We should organize our people
for the care OF the moral and spiritual
Iwelfare OF Our soldiers and sailors
while in training camps and In active
service on land and sea To further
this end pastors should prepare a lisl
iof all the soldiera and sailors goiHs
from their own congregations, in order
/ to keep In helpful sympathy with
them and their dependents ut home.
3. We should urge our people to
diligence in the production OF all
kinds Of food. and to the practice OF
economy in the use OF II. Many who
/ can NOT fiGllt can farm. and Certainly