The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1954-04-09
Nation Shows New
Religious Interest
Says Robt. Denny
Visitor Tells
Views In Informal
Interview Here


Baptist speaker who conducted
Youth Revival here last week. be-
lieves that the United States is
undergoing "a definite spiritual
reawakening He has seen evil
dences of it in business and indus
try. on college campuses. and in
communities throughout the ma
ton.
In an informal discussion with
group of college and high school
stdents during his visit here 10
Farmville. Mr., Denny answered a
number Of questions dealing with
Christianity in the world of today
He said he has been pleasantly
surprised with the amount of in
terest in religion he has encount-
cred during his travels. AT a
stockholders meeting in Texas. he
was surprised to find a minister
who talked on freedom of enter
prise and its responsibilities, and
prayed for continued guidance in
the affairs of the business.
Religious Teams
Several years ago. he stated. re-
nglouS teams were not welcome
on college campuses. Moreover q
large number of students were OBJ
viously skeptical Of their mes
sage. Today. he notices that Off
Gals are far less antagonistic-
their favorite cry used to be I'VE
don't want to be run over will,
religion" to which Mr.. Denny COM
ment what better things could
you be run over with?"; anc
more and more students at at
tending religious meetings with
open minds and ears.
He has noticed. too. that stu
dents be knew to be indifferent
several years ago in school are
now often the pillars of their com
munity churches. He says that
these people, as children. inherit
ed the faith of their fathers. Dur
ing their growth TO adulthood
many try their wings" They
may become skeptics for a while
Then they marry and have chill
dren, and they want their chill
dren to have a spiritual training
| They feel a sense of inadequacy
whether they know it or not" Anc
thus they return to the fold with
stronger faith.
Eisenhower's Crusade
When asked how he looked up
on Eisenhower Crusade" MI
Denny replied. Il think Essen
hower's personal influence will
have a tremendous affect on the
world He believes that religious
intolerance is less rigid than il
used to be, and he cited Brazil as
an example.
He supports the United Nations
because Il am not opposed tc
anything that is trying l admire
the patience of the men in the
UN They must feel a sense OF
futihty to parry and counter jah
with the communists, when the
latter don't have the same ethics
How you can discuss something
with a man who doesn't tell the
TRUTH"
Dr.. Denny believes in confer
enceS. They bring issues to
light" They enable an indirect
attack to be made on prejudices
through a common venture"
Students Disintcrest
Someone at the discussion men
toned the disinteresccdness of
American students in affairs out
side their own immediate prob
lens. Though Mr.. Denny rather
deplored the condition. he said he
could we'll understand it. We are
so secure. If you were threaten
ed by something beyond your
boundary. you would be sure to
know what was going on. We are
not guilty of thinking evil Of our
neighbors on the other side Of the
ocean we are more guilty of not
thinking about them.
In line with Mr. Denny'S be-
lief that the country is in the
Continued on PAGE A.