Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-10-13
STRONGER FAITH IN MEN
DECLARED NEED OF HOUR
Rev. Frank w. Prutt Snys God
Trusts Humanity TO Run
World Right.
FoHEsEEs END or ALL WARS
Asserts Most Fearful Arc Asking II
Civilization Is CruInbling as Per-
niciouS Doctrine of PcSsimism
Gains Converts.

That the need of the hour in these
Iri ;n, TIN, tines c, when confusion, uncer-
is Il deep and abiding faith in man
was the theme Of Il sermon preached
Yesterday morning at the First Uni
Frank w. Pratt in which he declared
that there will not always be wars
Mr.. traits. subject was "a Great
said. in part:
Tho word is in chaos and con
reports of unrest. There is Il condi-
ton Of uncertainty and apprehension
cNorNwhcrc. our own country is not
free from consciousness of unknown
possibilities. For over four years the
world has been engaged in the vio-
,enes OF war: and the spiri, of Nio-
persuasive power of truth is being
discarded for the more violent methods
of force.
In tho midst of all this unrest. men
are asking. Where will it end and
in many instances grave doubts are
EXPRESSED rs to the outcome of it all.
The most fearful are even asking il
crumble.
Sees Pcrnicious Doctrine.
10 make the matter worse per
nicious religious doctrine is gaining
concerts which declares that the
and Will continue to get worse until
the end comes with foretold confusion
and physical uphcavais. which are 10
coming OF christ.
such pcssimistic teachings give us
a poor concep,ion OF the wisdom and
economy of God There is little COM
fort or inspiration in the belief that
tho solution of il all is n great climax
present world and provide for new
beginning.
times that we may not lose our bear
inGs and be brought to unrcasoning
DESPAIR, We. need a deep faith in
man--a faith founded on confidence in
the inherent nature of humanity.
God Trusts Mcn.
One Of the things that will help us TO
have thos faith is the realization that
the eternal God has given man free
will and Entrusted the keeping and
progress OF the world to him. God has
given humanity the great task Of
has allowed man to become CO.
creator. He has intrusted man with
Nothing could show us more plainly
that God himself has confidence in
man than this. surrender of the earth
TO him and the allowing by God of
man 10 work out his own salvation.
We cannot think of an all-wise and all
;ask to humanity unless humanity is
equal to the undertaking.
man n? ,G sapabis OF S%nniri 5hH
many biunders, TO be sure. but through
me, hluaders many, lessons are lePrned.
anu, MISUNDERSTANDING the MISTAKES,
God thinks that man is capable of rum
ming this earth, or else He would not
have !ntrustcd IL TO him.
Man Progressive BcinE.
Our faith in man grows out OF a
belief chat God Himself has faith in
him. Il we doubt man, we must doubt
The wisdom OF God.
"rai,h in man brings with It the
recognition that he Is Inherently a
progressive being. He is lover OF
ideals lie turns towards the ideals
as naturally as the flower turns to-
wards the sun. Yes. he often gets
lost and confused. He gets off the
right road. He even sinks back 30 Il
beast again, forgetting his spiritual
nature; but sooner or later the spiritual
par, OF him calls-calis in answer TO
the ideal-and he turns his face to-
wards 1t.
we hear, people say frequently
these days there always have been
wars, and there always will be. one
might as we'll say there always has
been cholera, and there always will
be. But there Will not always be
cholera. and one VINO has faith in the
inherent possibilities OF progress In
humanity has perfect confidence that
the time Will come when man will do
away With war"