Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-23
..MAPP CHIEF SPEAKER
At MINISTERIAL DINNER
Says Church Will Survive World
War and Emerge Strong
er Than Before.
MILL DROP ALL DIFFERENCES
B Less Accent to BE Placed on Demons
> inationalism and More OH Healing
: the Wounds OF War and Spreads
ing the Gospel OF Love.

-: State Senator G. Walter Mapp deliv-
cred tho main address at the third
annual dinner OF the Richmond Minis
-terial Union which was held last even
/. ing al the rooms of the Y. NJ. e. A. His
: subject was will the Church Survive
1.-the War" and. in brief, his answer was
THAT al the end Of the world conflict the
: church would emerge better, stronger
and more powerful than ever before.
In opening his address Senator Mapp
mentioned that the minister had from
time immemorial been looked TO for
guidance and advice. and emphasized
what an immense influence the church
could thus bring to bear. particularly
At such a critical time in the worlds
history as now confronts mankind. 1t
was Impossible for the church TO halt
the present war, owing to the fact that
It's teachings had never been accord
I'd q place in the minds of the German
Emperor and l.S militaristic aSSoci-
ates who had so long. and with such
care. been planning the present at
tempt at world dominion. in spite OF the
fact that the Kaiser has from time TO
time paused long enough to utter
some hypocritical statement to prove
his religious zeal.
Although II was impossible for the
church to stop this hidcous conflict
thrust upon the world by the passion
Tor world dominion OF this one man, il
has been able 10 10 an Immense amount
in amcliorating the horrors OF the war.
and will be able to accomplish still
more when peace has been restored
The influence Of the church Is being
felt both ut home and abroad where
sympathy and help nre needed. and is
we'll cXempiiiied by such organizations
II a. NJ
It's present far-reachinE activities have
determined it's splendid future with
ont the slightest doubt. It's efforts for
the good OF mankind in the present
time of calamity has iiiHdled religious
zeal in the heart OF many a man who
formerly gave but little thought 10
churches and their activities. They
have been touched by its services 10
mankind and its efforts will be re-
wardcd.
In spite Of tho horrors which have
*orely tried the faith Of men, the
church has remained steadfast in its
belief that Gods ultimate goodness will
be shown, and. were this not to hc
the case. the Senator pointed out. all
history would be denied. Another benc
iii Will he closer unity and better I'M
Outstanding of the small differences
which have too long seemed to scpa
rate members of different sects.
Through this unity OF purpose great
i,ood can be done in the huge task Of
rehabilitation and upbuilding which
will confront the world al the end OF
he WAT. The unity of purpose vii!
accomplish much more for the Church
OF God than was ever possible before
when SO much efficiency was wasted
through duplication and it's attendant
loss of energy, brought about by exaG-
Eerated Importance OF denominational-
!sm. The combined efforts Of all
churches will be needed TO heal tho
wounds OF the war and in spreading
the Gospcl-forGet and forgive.
il must be more OF a militant church.
making its influence felt in every
movement. political or otherwise, tend
ing TO bring peace on earth and good
will among men. for the church Is ctev.
nal and Will live as long as recorded
time.
HOPE OF WORLD - IN THE
LOVE OF GOD, SAYS DIR. CECIL
In the closing address Of the even
ing Rev Russell Cecil y. D., pastor
OF Second Presbyterian Church and
president OF the society for 1918, sa id
that although the outlook was ct pres
ent such as confronts the lookout on
4 ship OH stormy night terrific
upheval OF the elements and utter
darkness, there WAS hope and prom
isc Of brighter dawn soon. The
faith OF maryland had been kept from
being swept from its moorinSs by the
gospel of hope and faith. lie could
think OF no better statement than that
used by Colonel WattcTson in recent
editorial, where he said: The hope OF
the world is in the love OF God and
has been revealed through the Chris
tian religion. which is one of hope"
II has of late been greatly strengthened
by the growing spirit Of unity and
cooperation among the different de-
nominations. which tend TO magnify
the iiEenesses and not the differences
of the sects. The world is In the melt
Ing pot OF the Creator. and will come
forth purified and better. More people
are praying to-day than ever before.
aud this shows plainly their faith in
God and. the ultimate good which must
result from our present suffcrinEs. We
are 10 be sAvcd by iaith In Him Alnnc.