The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-30
EPISCOPAL LEADERS
MEET IN LYACHBURG
Dioceses OF Virginia. West Virginia
and North Carolina Well Rep
resented.

Especial to The Richmond Virginian.)
Lynchburg. Va, Tuesday, July %
Only about one-third Of the people
OF America are self-confessed adher-
ents to some form of organized Chris
tianity, said Bishop Frederick Reese,
of Georgia, in an address tonight to
delegates from all the Episcopal do
ceses In Virginia. West Virginia and
North Carolina, assembled in a con-
ference called to further the church's
nationwide campaign. Stating that
the object OF the campaign was to
inspire the communicates of the
Episcopal church with a desire to
give as great and willing service
through the church as they gave in
war service, Bishop Reese added:
W. cannont be insensible to the
fact that organized and personal re1i-
gion as an expression OF the tdealism
of mans spirit has lost ground in the
last generation. The fact, as 1t is
reported. that only about one-third
of the people of the country are self
confessed adherents OF any form OF
organized Christianity, Is most signi-
fcantly serious. And ever of those
who confess to church membership
a large proportion are ignorant. in
different and diluted ! am not con-
ccrned now with the causes Of this
situation. / am not concerned to deny
that the churches are partly RESPONSE
BILE for II.
But be the cause what 1t may,
h fact remains and the question is:
Is ii an encouraging fact or a disas-
trous fact? and If the latter. what
ought to be done? Can the nation.
the community. the individual truly
realize life at It's best without reli-
gion? And can religion be an erec-
tive influence In human life unless
IT is something more than a vague
sentiment or a notion OF the mind
unless II is a moral conviction and
an organized forces-a church,,
For myself. I do not believe that
religion can be a great influence for
z cd without the corporate life of
men OF faith and love in the church.
And ] believe it Is true. as 1t has been
said, that no nation has ever sur
sived h decay OF its religion.
The Episcopal church. like other
feels. the seriousness OF
the challenge and has undertaken a
program. 1t intends. through its ma
campaign. to take stock OF
itself In every nook and corner of
its organization. 1t aims to awaken
and to educate every nan and wom-
in IL n a more honest and self
conception of religious
duty. to deepen and quicken their
spiritual life. to give them more faith.
more love, more unselishness. and
great and willing a disposition OF
service to country through the church
as they gave in war service
Then the campaign is to take stock
or the church's opportunities and re-
sp%onsibilities, as they are presented
by national and rommunitv condf-
tons. What ought TO he done? What
assail n overcome e, some other ip-
trenched position OF evil. The time
has come ito awake out OF sleep and
arise from the dead"
And when we see what the needs
y .duties before US are, what the
world, the nation. our several COM
need and what it Is within
our power to do to meet tn needs.
we shall ask every man and woman
IL the church to make such a re-
Spouse of personal service and Of
giving az VIII he commensurate with
the needs and The opportunities,
This nationwide campaign means
more men in the ministry. more men
ana women In every necessary form |
OF service, more power and more re-
sources Tor missions, for religious
eoufation In school n university, ,
more thought and sympathy and serv-
Ice IN social industrial and political |
activities, more unity and co-opera-
tlon In the whole body and more |
Christisl thinking and living and
doing everywhere and in everybody
---~------- M
KS an objectionable sin to steal m
umoreila-on . clear day.