Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-16
RICHMOND MINISTER'S
SPEAK ON VIRTUES OF
GEN. LEE IN SERMONS
DIR. Bowie Pictures Him as
Great Warrior and
Lover Of Peace.
OUTLINES LIFE OF HERO
Tells Hearers Some Blind to
Possibility of World With.
out Strife.

The only time to stop the next
war Is To stop IL now" said Rev. W.
Russell Bowie. -. 49,. n, <, PAM,
Episcopal Church. last night. In the
course Of sermon on the character
and achievements Of Robert +. Lee.
The greatness of General Loo was
not IN the sword he welded, but in
the cross he bore" said the preacher.
br. Bowie took his text from Matthew
NNvi. 30: Then Said Jesus Unto Him
Put Up Again Thy Sword Into Its
Place: for all They That Take the
sword Shall Perish With the Sword. =.
While General Lee hated war. he
was one OF the greatest mili,rav
Scniusses the world ever saw. and
ana not hesitate to employ his skill
ana strategy In the conduct of the
strife in which he figured so promi-
ncntly, and through which he led his
countryncn in tho defense of their
country. said the speaker.
Robert L. Lee hated war. and
with the whole force of his nature
believed that the fact OF war was
simply confession of human blum
dcrs and human sins" said the
clergyman. This Is the more re-
markable because in the career OF
Lee there was everything that might
nave given to war the Eiamor which
20 so many mems imaEinations, he
made II AN intoxicating thing to be
desired"
beloved by All Hts Men.
He had served through the Mcxi-
can War with conspicuous gallantry
and no less conspicuous recognition
He was beloved by the men who
served under him and by his COM
panions-in arms. He was honored
by General Scott, as that old warrior
h"nored few other men. lie was
SCOTS choice as leader of the Fed
cral armies. II he could he induced
/" remain in tho service OF the
Union. Lee Is "A phenomenon said
Jackson. He is the only man whom
! have ever seen whom ] would fol-
low blindfoldcd.' Yet we find in his
letters. when he speaks of the war
great and sad reluctance.
lie wrote to his wife: What n
cruel thing is war. 10 separate and
destroy families and friends and mar
the purcst joys and happiness God
has granted us in this world-to MI
our hearts with hatred instead of
love for our ncighbors. and TO de-
Nastatc tho fair face Of this bcauti-
full world"
see with Narrow Vision.
Yet. said DR.. Bowie. there are
men who are blind to the ideal nos
sibility OF world so ordered in JUS
ticc that the violence of war will
no longer be inevitable. They would
make us think that a nations great
ness must always be measured by
its ability TO crush Its foes They
dishelicvc in the possibility Of dis
armament and rejoice in any increase
Of the army and navy, which points
toward lasting military establish
mcnt In America that shall make her
the most formidable people in "a
world still committed to the old cx-
pectation OF continual wars The
peril is that they may sec with q
narrow and therefore. false vision.
we should he OF those who teach
MS that the one most hopeful, most
Christian thing in the last great war
as distinguished from all former
wars. is the rcvulSion of the worlds
soul from its necessity. and the de-
termination Of Il worlds will to see
that war shall come no more"
In announcing the singing of tho
hymn. How Firm a Foundations" Or.
i'"wic said IL was the favorite hymn
of General Lee, and that he had sung
il many times In st. Pauls Church,
which he attended while in Rich
mond.