Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-02
HOW WOULD CHRIST Be
TREATED IN RICHMOND?
DR.. Gibson Asks Q-estion OF HIS
Congregation at Grace Street
Baptist Church.
WAS RECEIVED CoLDLY BEFORE
Saddest Pages Of History Arc Those
Recording Attitude of Cities When
Savior Visited Them, He Says.
Towns Often Hostile.

IF Christ Should Come to Our City
was me subject OF sermon preached
Gibson. D. D. The sermon. unlike
many sermons preached in Richmond
no indictment Of those in authority in
the conduct of municipal affairs, but
was a simple, heart.searching appeal
for greater spirituality among Rich
mona people generally. Il cannot
preach sensational sermons" said Dr.
Gibson. who Is comparatively a new
The announcement of the coming Of
any noted character to our city al
B payS srssies great ire
that Jesus Christ was coming. II would
create such an interest as has never
,;on kh dss,r The simple direet qne so
tonight is. What would Richmond do
ii Chris; should come here in person.
the cities received Hin IN and IRE treated
Him when He visited them during His
ministry. some OF the saddest pages
itude Of the cities toward Christ when
He visited them. From His birth 10
His death. with the exception OF a
and often In the most hostile manner by
the towns which He visited.
"lf Christ came TO our city do YOU
Hin is simply an index to their char
S So.er And When l!escd The ,I King
like Herod arc always troubled when
they. hear that Christ is coming.
III Chris, came TO our city. where
Christ should come 10 Richmond, there
are some places where l would not
want Him to IND me; ! am sure !
Christ!y decd. cheering some lonely
heart. making The load Lighter for
some troubled spirit.
WHOM WOULD HE VISIT
SHOULD HE COME HERE:
Whom would Jesus visit If He
should come TO our city? When He
was upon earth lie spent much time
the little village of Bethany There
was something about that quiet home
TO lead the Master TO go often there
Would He be welcome IN my home TO-
would welcome the Mas.cr any time
without any embarrassment? Could
Come in. Lord. and take UP Thy abode;
s sister win HH'" Thss w%iu'??' '''''s '"'O"
What WOULD yog do II Christ were
four hours notice OF His coming
Would break any engagemen,s?
ness? Would sever any relation
ships? Would spend more time IN
prayer? \ g5ea, chFisiian man MAJ was ss
knew Christ was coming the next day
He replied: 4 would Just go On and do
my duty as on any other day
Jesus Christ is in our city" Or. Glib
son concluded. He has heard and seen
everything that is wrong. He Knows
the motive behind all we do. He knows
all about us. You and cannot escape
Christ He is with us everywhere.
There Is 4 legend which has often
been cited because II illustrates the
truth OF the subject. The story has
been handed down that when the storm
OF persecution broke over the early
Christians at Rome, they urged Peter
10 seek refuge in Night. He set out
by night along the Appian Way. But
as he Travelled n vision flashed upon
face crowned with thorns. QUO
vadis. Domino? (whither Poest Thou
Lord?) Peter cried to Christ. To
Rome TO be cruciiied instead of thee
Into the night the vision cbbed like
breath, and Peter turned and rushed
on to Rome and death.
You and cannot escape Him May