The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-23
'FtLLOWIH|P SPIRIT
CHEERS MINISTER'S
Annual Meeting of Ciergymcn's
Organization Hears Notable
Speeches After Dinner.
SENATOR MAPp WE'LL RECEIVED
Retiring and Incoming Presidents RE
view Past Work and Future
Prospects--UnIon Meetings Com
mendcd,


mendcd.
Christian fellowship was the spirit
which animated the members of the
Richmond Ministerial union and their
guests at the organizations annual
dinner at the Central Y. M. G. a..
building last night
Senator G. Walter Mapp, the guest
OF honor. addressed the clergymen on
the subject VIII the Church Survive
the War;" The retiring president,
DR. Seorge ". Kemper. gave "A retro
spect of the work OF the past year,
Kew. DR.. Russell Cecil. who has just
entered upon his duties as president
or the union, spoke on the outlook
for 1918.
The addresses were preceded by
the dinner, which was enlivened by
quartette's music. The ministers
passed a resolution recommending
that during the continuation of the
tuei shortage union meetings be held
wherever practicable In order to save
! fuei and to show as far as possible
harmony with the spirit of the
times.
Senator Mapp made profound i'm
preston with his remarks about the
church In Its relation In the war. He
denied that the church is In any way
responsible for the upheaval In Eu-
rope or that ii could have prevented
the outbreak of hostiiities due to the
n'bition OF Wilhelm Hohenzoilern
lie said. however, that the church
Is now doing all that 1t can do in CO.
operative effort to limit the harm
wrought by the war and to build up
the moral and spiritual as well as the
material uaiFara NJ ~ -
gagged In war service or affected by the
war. lie alluded esg ecially to the Red
CrosS, the 7. NJ. c. A and the train
fng camp activities, which are sup
ported very largely by the church as
organizations and by Christian people
without regard to UNCONVENTIONAL
j lines. With this preparation, he said
the church will have at the close of
the war the greatest opportunity In
It's history Of proving its value for ser
vice and reaching the hearts OF men
by its disinteresced efforts 10 serve
the race.
Retiring Presidents Address
Or. Kemper said in part:
How swiftly time flies. The DAYS
soon merge into the weeks. the weeks
into the months, and the months into
the years. 1t seems but as yesterday
4
! room, facing the year s1T. and dis
| GUESSING our plans of work for the
! year. But twelve months have pass
ed since then, and with them have
/ come many changes.
Twenty three OF our churches are
now going through the trying ordeal
~ getting acquainted with their new
preacher. and adjusting themselves
10 his peculiar style of theology {.
! This. it seems TO me. ia proof posi-
tive that the familiar doctrine Of
once in grace, always In grace,
doesn't hold good with Richmond
preachers But, while we hated 30
, say goodbye to our departed friends
We are glad to welcome their sur
cessors. and TO hid them God-speed
in their new work.
"One Of the delights Of Rich
nond pastorate, is the cordial broth
eriy feeling that exists between all Of
our ministers We may differ some
what In our theology with a little
~. but when 1t comes to the great
fundamentals, we are all agreed that
One is our Master, even Christ. and
We he brethren. waEing our battle
aga inst sin and wickednesa. under the
one banner and with the one blessed
Leader. whose great prayer for the
unity OF His people, is being so beau
-ifuily answered today.
Unusual Conditions Met.
The work of our Union during
the past year has had its failures
, and Its Disbursements. as we'll rs
Its successes We have not been able
TO carry out some OF our plans for
the years work, on account OF the
unusual conditions that have prevail
ed for tho greater part OF the wear.
Matters, pertaining TO our part In the
great world war. had TO be taken up
by us, which prevented that discus
sion OF some subjects of merely local.
but vital Importance. which, I trust.
may come before us at an early date,
( But. the year for us was a good one
| and n busy one, and feel that Gods
richest blessing has been upon us.
Our simultaneous evangeiistic
campaign last spring. while. perhaps,
not as large in visible reeults to our
churches, as the year previous. was.
nevertheless, far-reaching In it's in
fluence for good throughout our city.
and In many parts of the state The
Bible institute. conducted by DR..
James Nj. Gray. was also productive
or much good. In my humble judy
ment. the simultaneous meetings and
| Bible institute, should have regular
place in our yearly calendar.
Another gratifying thing In our
! past years work. has been the sue
cessfui grouping of many Of our
churches for union services from time
to time during the winter and summer
months. I deeply regret that the
group method was not also observed
by us In our last Thanksgiving day
services. The frequent exchange OF
pulpits hy our ministers Is also step
in the right direction. and Is sppre-
eiated by both pulpit and pew. A
change of diet Is often greatly reltshed
on our church bill of fare
Two of our well-known ministers
had arranged to exchange pulpits re-
Gently for an evening service, The
| Sunday preceding, one of them in
making an announcement of this fact
| to his congregation said, j am very
glad indeed to announce to you that on
next Sunday night, tho Rev. DR..
--------- ---~-----------e will preach for
| you. Let us now sing two verses OF
hyYnn No ana That Awful DAy VIII