Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-14
From Other Viewpoints
Foundation Needing Restoration.
BY ALFRED Is. WILLIAMS.

Roger Isabson is n newspaper and publicity
man not identified with any religious move
,ncnt His work requires him to study closely
and without prejudice conditions in this coun-
try precisely AZ they are. In n magazine article
Just published, he says bunly that the real
weakness and danger of the American people
is the drift away from the churches and from
sense Of responsibility to the A Almighty. Going
somewhat into detail. he remarks that tho
custom OF daily family prayer, formerly uni
versal in representative families, has nearly
d!sa ppcared and that the habit of saying
grace" at meals, the few words, of acknowl-
cdgcnent Of dependence and belief in 4
Higher Power. is being abandoned Katherine
Fullerton, ticrould. in another magazine. writes
strongly the same subject. She contends
that the fearful increase Of the divorce rate
and disrcgurded of marriage vows. the immod-
esty of women, tho decrease or reverence for
womanhood, the infection of.frivolity and in
stability of character and conviction among
the masses. oil result from the weakening Of
religious influence and neglect OF the visible
observanccs that testify allegiance to the pre-
cepts and principles Of religion.
II Is old story-older than Babylon
Egypt. The Hebrew prophets ill many pages
describing precisely similar conditions in their
times with substitution OF automobiles for
chariots and q few other changes to fit mod
ern discoveries. their lamentations and de-
nnnciations read If intended for today.
Their prophecies Of disaster to result were but
common sense applied to the facts before them.
Certain and conditions bring certain
effects inevitably and Invariably. The prophe-
cies fulfilled fcarfully and swiftly A
nation ccaslng to believe and worship must
fall as surely a house must fall when It's
iounda tons are torn out. Every OF his
tory tells 80
Hope for rescue from~this peril-Iike every
either hope OF this nation-ds in the great mid
d!e class of pain, honest, sensible, decently
bred people. The swollen and idle rich are
one or our danescrous~cl classes. Those who with
nlSmai SmirkG mako a trade of being butter
mes are useless. Tho prctcntious professional
inieiicctuais who MI themselves with drifting
mists OF impracticable theories tho efiuyia
from tho sewcrs OF literature givc'us but nox-
louS cNfTfations OF cyncisn. falschood mys-
nciSin, atheism and NTH. AT tho other end
doctrines OF intense scllshncss, self -asscrt1ne
arrogance. confusion. disruption and class war
rare and acceptance OF humanity as tho su-
prc'ne power and the summit OF perfection q
'aught dihgcrtly stnd,swal owed eagerly
san" newspapers. sane and earnest preach
efs not greedy ofrnotoriety intent on SON
sations. can reoch and warn the people as the
OLD prophets. satirists and statesmen could not
Influential men and fnInf1ies OF every nogh-
/ b"rhood and community can give examples OF
uny!olaing loyalty to principles. of steadfast
adherence to the teachings and customs OF
their fathers. There Is distinct encouragement
! In the tncreaadng lrsin,ber OF eeuu'sr writer's
VINO ara~ aualyzinEsnn6 discovering the@unIief-
lyingrxrouble- direcffnR-,fhq)1xht sto the