Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-31
PRAYERS FOR SOLDIERS
FROM MANY PULP|TS
President Wilson's Proclamation Is
Obeyed by Churchgolng Peo-
pie Of Richmond.
BISHOP BROWN MAKES ADDRESS
Aiiudes FeelingIy to Fact That His
Own Son Is in France, and TO Sup
port 1t Gives Soldiers to Have
Praying Nation Behind Them.

Rt Rev. William Cabe!i Brown
D. D.. bishop coadjutor OF Virginia.
preached at st. James Episcopal Church
at the noon service Yesterday The
rector. Rev. G. Freeland Peter con-
Quoted the service, which was a SOL
emn and beautiful one in its spiritual
significance at this time. Bishop Brown
spoke first of the debt OF the whole
| world TO our President for the signal
service he was rendering the nation
by the splendid quality of his leader
| snip. the keenness of his perceptions,
his gifted use of English and that he
was inclined TO think that the President
had rendered no finer nor more splen-
ana service than issuing a proclamation
appointing day OF national prayer.
fasting and humiliation following the
resolution passed to this effect by Con-
gross.
The bishop read that part Of the
mastery wording of the Presidents
proclama ton, and went on to state that
during the past few months OF petty
iault finding recriminations. alternat-
ing with senseless boastfulncss that
the nation needed some commanding
voice TO speak with authority. ana
since even the Savior in the midst OF
stress and storm found it necessary o
go apart by himself and pray, surely
weak, crring human children needed
the spiritual strength which only comes
through prayer and meditation.
DE STILL AND HEAR THE:
FATHERS VOICE SPEAKING TO Us
SO. on this day already freishtcd
with sacred and stimulating memories"
declared the bishop, lit is we'll for us
to be still while and hear the Fathers
voice speaking to us. Surely at this
time 1T is fitting that we should make
humble confession of our sins ana
shortcomings as people and seek to
purge and purify our hearts and TO
see and know the truth. 1t is a time
when we should pray very earnestly
for those in authority and for the doc
tors and nurses in the war that they
may have wisdom and skill and
Astounding tenderness. 1t is time
when We should pray for our soldiers
and sailors that no crime nor dishonor
shall stain their hearts.
AS | look into your faces" went
on the bishop with emotion. Il know
that | am speaking 10 many who like
myself have boys in France. and that
we want them TO he strong and clean
in the faithful discharge of their duties !
so that after victory is assured they |
may, if it be Gods will. be restored to
US"
The President has asked In his
proclamation that this day he a day
OF public humiliation" said Bishop |
Brown, and he went on to explain that
this was a wise measure. on account
OF the seeming thoughtfulness and in
difference on the part OF the people OF
America. that apparently the hea-
rens were dumb to the prayers Of
Gods people
SUPPORT TO SOLDIERS
FROM PRAYING NATION
II do not know why. but I think. |
perhaps" said the bishop, that when
our Father looks down OH our trou- !
bied world He has not yet found that
we trust less in our own strength and |
wisdom. nor that we have that de- !
pendencc on Him which we should |
have. and | think that when we, as 4 !
people. have learned the lesson which !
We are learning SO slowly and pain !
tullN. when we have learned to look !
away from self and conform ourselves
IN humility to His plans and purposes
Tor us, when we have become more
worthy instruments for carving out
Ills VIII. and have put away from us |
all selfish and cowardly instincts hate
and all uncharitablcncss. then, at
least. mems heart may be at rest in !
"A great peace"
In conclusion bishop Brown spoke |
OF prayer as the source of strength and |
the things that were wrought by pray /
err and he urged the congregation to |
pray without ceasing' in their homes. |
al church. and alone in private-that
nothing could be more helpful to the
boys III France than the KNOWLEDGE
that there was praying nation be-
hind them. as we'll as a fighting ma
ton of Americans
AL noon services were held at the !
FIRST Baptist Church the Second Pres
byterian Church. the First Presbyter-
ian Church. st. James Episcopal
church. Beth Ahabah Synagogue, Grace |
street Baptist. Broad Street Methodist. /
Services were held at 10 o'clock in the
FIRST English Evangelical Lutheran
Church the Grace Covenant Presbytcr-
Ian Church. Holy Trinity Church, and
Grace Episcopal Church: St Johns |
evangelical Church. and First Church