Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-04
SPIRITUAL. SIGNIFICANCE,
OF DRAFT REGISTRATION
Rev. w. Russell Bowie D. D., breaches at st. Paul's
Church on Meaning of and Lessons to Be Drawn
From Tuesdays Enrolment.

Peace WAS the vision pointed to a
tho conclusion of the sermon on the
war preached yesterday morning by
Rev. W. Russell Bowie u. H.. rector
Of ST. Paurs Episcopal Church.
! AS we look back upon the worlds
failure, let us look forward with hope
full eyes toward the worlds ideals
said Or. Bowie. Let us look so
stra light that VIC shall be proof asains,
compromise. Let us remember even
when il is hard IL remember that we
must Tight. not for revenge and not
for dominant advantage, but for q
world order lifted up into larger
reasonablcness and justice and good
will.
There can be no true victory which
is merely n victory for ourselves and
our allies. The victory which we win
must he one whose terms shall he
shaped in such way as to include
within itself the ultimate well-being
of ali the human family everywhere
II must he such that our larger life
shall mean better life for all the
nations. Only can the worlds
dying be turned into redemption. Only
so shall we win for this nation that
life both in body and in spirit. which
can endure.
80 beautiful for patriots dream
That sees beyond the years.
Thine albaster cities gcam
Undimmcd by human fears
America. America.
tod send His grace on thee.
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea"
SPEAKS on SPIRITUAL
SIGNIFICANCE OF REGISTRATION
DR.. Bowie spoke on The Spiritual
Significance Of Registration"
There has been no event in our
generation like this one" he said.
such national election AS that which
was held last November parallels it
in certain quality, but to the elea
mentS which gave moral grandeur TO
the election. this Registration Day on
Tuesday adds unique elements of its
own. The issue of Registration Day is Of
young manhood OF the nation en-
rolls itself then. no, that it may name
others who shall serve the country.
but that they themselves. the ones
concerned, may he recorded AS in
readiness for its service. When a
man goes and writes his name lie
knows that the end OF that action has
not como. Instead. there may follow
FOR him the summons which shall
bring him into tho mobilization camp,
which shall range him underneath tho
flag. and send him. perhaps across
the seas 10 those torn fields where the
armies of France and Englan strug-
sic to-day.
Nor is the solemnity Of this day
merely that which ii seemed TO he
when VIC first looked forward to it,
Even at SO late a time as early April.
when America declared war. there were
probably very few in this country who
conceived that American troops would
he sent TO night in Europe. To- day we
sec that the help OF America may be
desperately needed al the side Of Eng
la,N Il -
delirerance from its evil forces can
ever I've accomplished.
INVOLVES THE LIFE AND
HONOR OF AMERICA
In this spirit. therefore. deep and
grave and earnest. we face the mean
ing OF this Registration Day. 1t con-
Stitutcs such a call 10 our patriotism
as few Of US alive to-day have ever
known. |, involves the life and honor
OF America. Yea, more than that. il
involves the hopes. the ideals. tho aspi-
ra,ions OF the whole world rpon the
issues OF that day. the spirit of the
centuries. will wait in "a kind of
hreathless silence. II waits 10 see
whether democracy. with all its long
traditions of individual freedom can
rise to the corporate devotion and cor
porate sacrifice which alone can make
its righteousness effective in the pres.
ent world.
Because we believe this. til. man
mood OF Richmond and Virginia will
rise 10 It's high response on Tuesday.
Ana believing II. we need no, in this
place argue the obvious nv s,ressinr
farther the duty Of all 10 obey the
registration call but we may go on TO
consider the spiritual suggestions
which ought 10 come 10 us from the
deeper meanings OF this great hour OF
national rallyinG 10 sacrihce