The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1924-10-21
RELIGION, NOT LAWS,
BRINGS ABOUT REFORM
PRESIDENT MAKES ADDRESS
AT UNWILLING OF STATUE
TO METHODIST BISHOP.
MEMORIAL TO CIRCUIT RIDER
Life and Work of Francis Asbury in
Personal---very. Days Prepared
Men for Freedom, Says Coolidge to
Hearers at Impressive Ceremony.

MClL AOL T1CNNOAAl, Gays &OOh06@ ~
Hearers at Impressive Ceremony.
WASHINGTON, D.. C.-Reliance
upon religion rather than law for re-
form was emphasized by President
Coolidge, speaking at the unveiling
here of statute to Francis Asbury,
pioneer bishop of the Methodist Epis-
copal church of America"
Methodists from all parts of the
United States and Canada were here
for the unveiling services.
Funds for the monument which
portrays the militant Bishop Asbury
seated on a horse, were contributed
by Methodist organizations in all parts
of the world The cost of the statute
was placed at about 100000.
Hanging from the saddle OF the
horse are pair of old fashioned sad
die bags containing books and articles
of clothing that the bishop is said to
have carried with him as he travelled
from the coast to the western edge of
the wilderness preaching the gospel.
Bishop Francis Asbury came from
England to America in 1771 by APP
pointment OF John Wesley, to do mis-
sionary work.
Law Can't Bring Reform.
1--WE cannot depend upon the gov
eminent" the president declared, Ito
do the work of religion. An act of
congress may indicate that reform
is being or has been accomplished, but
it does not itself bring about a re-
form. The government of a country
never gets ahead of the religion OF
country"
Religion was described by the presi-
dent as the foundation of this govern
ment. 1t is as a result of the preach
ing of Bishop Asbury, his associates
and other religious organizations, he
declared, that "our country has devel-
oped so much freedom.
1t is we'll to remember this, he
added, when we are seeking for So
cial reforms. OF course, we can help
to restrain the vicious and furnish a
fair degree of security and protection
by legislation and police control, but
the real reforms which society IN
these days is seeking will come as a
result of our religious convictions, Npr
they will not come at all.
There is no way by which we can
substitute the authority of law for the
virtue Of man Peace justice, human
ity, charity these cannot be legislat-
ed into being. They are the result OF
divine grace
From the life OF Bishop Asbury the
president drew a lesson OF sacrltlee
and devotion which he said "has gone
into the making of our country" He
recalled that the pioneer bishop trav-
eled about 5000 miles year, preach
ing about 10000 sermons\and receiv-
ing as his highest salary $85 year.
"He had no idea" Mr.. Coolidge
said ''that he was preparing men the
better to take part in a great liberal
movement, the better to take advant-
age of free institutions and the better
to perform the functions OF self-gov-
eminent. He did not come for political
motives. He came to bring the gospel
to the people
"He saw wars and heard rumors
of wars, but whatever may have been
the surface appearance underneath 1t
all our country manifested then and
has continued to manifest a high cour-
age. remarkable strength OF spirit
and an unusual ability in a crisis, to
choose the right course. Something
has continued to guide the people.
Through It all our country has ac-
CURED an underlying power OF judg-
ment and stability of action which has
never failed it. 1t furnishes its own
answer to those who would defame it.
Religion Basis of Government.
"Our government rests upon relig-
ion. 1t is from that source that we de-
rive our reverence for truth and jus
tice, for equality and liberty and Tor
the rights Of mankind.
Unless the people believe in these
principles they cannot believe in our
government. There are only two main
theories of government in the world.
One rests on righteousness, the other
rests on force. Under our constitution
America committed itself to the prac-
teal application of the rule of reason,
with the power held in the hands OF
the people"