Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-19
suNDNY. pECEMRER Va. la2o
Bacl, to Fundamcntnl Faith

A GREAT wave OF crime is sweeping over
a the country. 1t is not confined 10
great ccnters OF population hut there is
hardly State or community that has not
been brought face to face with lawlessness.
The great number OF crimes seems to indi-
cate q breaking down OF the nations moral
fiber rather than mere sporadic instances
of disregard OF the law. 1t presents study
for students of criminology and experts in
social psychology as to the underlying
causes Many. OF course. attribute it to
psychological Influences growing out of the
war n transient evil that will pass as the
war recedes. Others profess to see in il the
inevitable result forecast years ago by stu
dents OF government OF evils attendant upon
the extension OF sumptuary legislation and
the increasing restraint upon individual lib
erty.
President Elect Harding III an address
delivered 10 the laymen OF the Marion Pres
Eytery, put his finger on one of the under
lying causes responsible for the assumed
breaking down OF societys moral fiber when
he said Sometimes think the world has
gone adrft from its moorings rcligiously
and | know it will help if we have re-
rival Of religious faith. ! want n govern
ment that is just. and don't think a gov
eminent can be just ii II does not have
somehow n contact with omnipoient God"
Ill
so. how are we showing our reliance upon
the strength OF Almighty purpose To dispose
the hearts OF men To righteousness? In the
great movement for human uplft in which
the churches are taking a leading part re-
lance upon Divine help seems TO form but
negligible rau OF the effort The value
of vital faith in G.od in individual hearts as
the inspiration 10 righteous conduct seems
TO have been minmiZed by the leaders in
this movement for 4 new world order, and
the admonition or the Lord Not hy might.
nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the
Lord OF hosts very generally dsregarted
for the new weapon OF political power. rep
resented by the big stick of legislative en-
actments, trying To force men TO conform
10 established standards OF conduct repug-
nant 10 their dearest conceptions OF civil
and individual liberty
Under the whip and spur Of these vicious
enactments mems ideas OF the bgneGcenc.
OF law is undergoing a change. and there is
growing spirit OF resentment Mt mcddlc-
some interference with their accustomed
habits OF living That not only is manifcsting
Itself in = contempt for the whole body ~
laws which create artificial crimes. hut for
the obligations OF moral law as well since
those whose duty il is 20 stress the ,a,,cr
as 'he expression OF & Yielding to the enid
ance OF the Almighty spirit have joined in
substituting FOR that appeal the iesMly arm
OF force. Need there be any cause for won
der at the breaking down OF the na,ion,s
mora! fiber when the Governor of q state
licensed minister OF the Gospel. sets tho
example Of law defiance by ,hrca,cniuc =,
take shotgun loaded with buckshot and
have anal settlement" viii! a man WIN
whom he Is engaged in a controversy
AS the prcsident-e!ect rightly jnlica,o.
we must get back TO teaching M fund.-