The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-18

lDENl Wl1SON
s. Memorial Baptist Church BY the
lday Morning. Nov. II, 1918.
people have stood for the right to
Govern themselves. TO make thei wi
avs. TO choose their own rulers, to
vork out their own. destiny; and.
furthermore. have held up before
len, for themselves and all others,
le principles OF righteousness, JUS
&c. fair dealing and equality of
privilege. In no other land so I'M
hinderingly could those who started
out in life as rail-splitters. "hewers
of wood and drawers of water" work
themselves up by meritorious appli-
cation to the highest position of en-
inence in their country. We have
had presidents-and they were great
ores, too-who In their childhood
days were as humble and as poor, as
unlettered and as handicapped as any
of their companions could be.
But in this land of ours every man
is free to attain to his best and
worthiest and always before the youth
of our land there are held up noble
ideals n righteous principles for
their guidance.
Since the earliest days Of his
tory our people from childhood have
been taught if they would be great
they must be good; If they would sue
coed they must be worthy and honest:
if they would be eminent they must
be willing to serve and equipped for
service. If they would be happy they
must be just and righteous; if they
would attain unto the measure OF the
stature of a MAJ they must have be-
fore them as their model the Man
OF Galilee.
High Ideals.
We are a nation of high ideals: the
spirit of our nation has revealed itself
as one tina revels in unselfish devo-
ton to high principles. 1t is God who
has put these high and holy ideals
into our hearts. who has led us in
all oHr ways. who has made us what
we are, who has enriched US equip
ped us with beyond all
other nations, and brought us into the
forefront of the world powers. And
He raised us up for such a time as
this in the worlds history. and made
us what we are in our determination
to stand for what is right and worthy
and filled us with the willingness to
do unselhsh. sacrificing service. that
He might use us as He has used us
to stem the tide of selishness and
greed and stay the hand of tyranny
and oppression.
But more than that, God has
brought us into power and leadership
among the nations not only that we
might stand like a stonewalI against
the raging torrents of evil, and not
only that through us He might chas-
tise evildoers; but also that we might
be ministers OF God for good to them
that do we'll.
Americas mission to the world has
only begun. Her ideals and principles
have triumphed. and have been
stamped indelihly upon the worlds
thought But they are yet to be In
%carnated in the ives Of the peoples OF
many nations. The task before us OF
leadership among the nations in Civ
ing aid to distressed peoples. in re-
lieving~ the sufferings of millions. in
aiding the worthy citizens Of these
liberated peoples to establish fol
themselves just governments-ths
task before us ot leadership in the
reconstruction of a crippled and
wrecked world is greater than tina,
already accomplished by force Of
arms.
To build up better homes and bet.
ter governments than those thtt have
been torn DOWN will require create,
effort and more time. When we thinl
OF the vastness OF the task before
us. the difficulties to be confronted
the wisdom that will be required, tn,
sacrifices to be made and the un
selfish service yet to be rendered W,
may well humble ourselves befor,
our Coo and beseech Him for Hi
continued favor and guidance ant
help. believe He will be with u,
and lea us on help us in doing tn,
greater things that remain to be done
in the interests OF humanity.
Great leadership.
But not only has God made on
nation what 1t is to meet the need,
of this great hour in history, he ha,
also graciously provided for us such
leadership as we needed. Whenever
God has had some great movement Il
inaugurate in " world, or SOM
great mission to be performed. He ha!
raised up and equipped leaders fol
such movements and missions.
When God would moose for him
self a people to whom to reveal him
self. through whom He would Civ,
to the world his holy word OF divine
truth and make known His will t.
all generations He called forth from
Yer of the Caldees His servant Abra.
ham. who should be the father If the
faithful.
When God would provide a place
OF residence or the chosen race
where they might multiply, and b.
schoofed for a national existence, II,
led In strange ways His servan
Joseph to a position Of sue influence
and power in the Egyptian realm, tina
He might prepare there for tn,
existence and development of thu
\ chosen people.
When God was ready to deliver
them and 10 mould them into a nation