Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-10-18
President Makes Address at
Unwilling Of Statue to
Francis Asbury, Pioneer
Methodist Bishop

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16.-Reli-
ance upon religion rather than law
for reform was emphasized by Presi-
dent Coolidge, speaking at the un-
yelling here of statue to Francis
Asbury, pioneer bishop of the
Methodist Episcopal church in Ameri-
ca"
Methodists from all parts of the
United States and Canada were here
for the unwilling services.
Funds for the monument, which
portrays the militant Bishop Asbury
seated on horse, were contributed
by Methodist organizations in all
parts of the world. The cost of
the statue was placed at about $780,.
000
Hanging from the saddle of the
horse are a pair of old fashioned
saddle 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-.
sioEary work.
Law Can't Bring Reform
1--WE cannot depend upon the gov
errment,'' the president declared, Ito
do the work of religion. An act of
congress may indicate that a reform
is being or has been accomplished,
but it does not itself bring about a
reform. The government of a coun-
try never gets ahead of the religion
Of a country"
Religion was described by the pres
ident as the foundation of this gov
ernment. 1t is as a result of che
preaching of Bishop Asbury, his as
sociates and other religious organi-
cations, he declared, that "onr coun-
try has developed so much freedom.
''It is well 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 pro-
lection by legislation and police con.
troll, but the real reforms which So
ciety in these days is seeking will
come as result of our religious con-
victions, or, 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,
humanity, charity-these cannot be
legislated into being. They are the
result of divine grace
From the life of Bishop Asbury,
the, president drew a lesson of sacri-
flee and devotion which he said has
gone into the making of our coun
try" He recalled that the pioneer
bishop travelled about 5000 miles a
year, preaching about $500 sermons
and receiving as his highest salary
$50 a year.
He had no idea" Mr. Coolidge
said. that he was preparing men
the better to take part in a great lib
eral movement, he better to take
advantage of free institutions and
the better to perform the functions
Of self-goVernment. He did not
come for political motives. He
came to bring the gospel to the PEG
pie.
"He saw wars and heard rumors
of wars, but whatever may have
been the surface appearance, under
Meath it all our country manifested
then and has continued to manifest
a high courage, a remarkable
| strength of spirit and an unusual
ability in a crisis, to choose the right
course. Something has continued &c
guide the people. Through it al
our country has acquired an underly
ing power OF judgment and stability
of action which has never Called it
| 1t furnishes it's own answer to those
who would defame It.
Religion Basis OF Government
"Our government rests upon re:
| ligion. 1t is from that source that
we derive our reverence for truth
and justice. for equality and liberty
and for 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 it.
self to the practical application Of
the rule of reason, with the power
held in the hands of the people,
This result was by no means ac-
complished at once. 1t came about
only by reason Of long and difficult
preparation, oftentimes accompanied
with discouraging failure. The abil-
ity for self government is arrived