Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-28
STRICTLY BUSINESS.
Broadax Smiths Reasons for Alleged
Determinations Against
THE PEOPLE OF HIS OWN COLOR.
Another Lively Debate by the United
Ministerial Council.
TIE TEMPERATURE MADE TO WAX WARM

4uc Oultcu nlnlSteElal OOuucll OI IltIS-
burg, Allegheny and vicinity met as
usual yesterday afternoon, in the Wylie
Avenue A. M. E. Church, Rev. DIR. Asbury
presiding. Rev. j. 7. Writ read paper
asking the question: "Can We Maintain
Christian Unity While We Draw Denomi-
national Lines?" The central idea of the
paper was that the church could not do its
perfect work while the world can fling in its
teeth the reproach that Christians
disagree as much as the unregen-
crate. Rev. Mr.. Writ was in favor of
maintaining denominatlonal lines, but he
thought they ought to be maintained in Or
der to accommodate peoples views, but as
all are agreed in the fundamental princi-
Piles Of Christianity, they ought to be harmo-
nious when they meet, whether in or out of
denominational pastures. Ministers, he
held, must be the leaders in the cause Of
unity.
Joked on Their Peculiarities.
Revs. Watson, Boyden, Laws, Ross, Clin-
ton and "Broadax" Smith all discussed the
subject, and in the main agreed with the writer
of the paper, though they twitted and joked
each other at times on their denominational
peculiarities. there being present Presbyrerians.
.Methodlsts and Baptlsts.
The temperature rose when DR.. Laws, after
debate on the paper had closed, read an ad-
dress on the subject of discrimination of land
lords against colored tenants. 1t asks property
holders to modify their instructions to agents.
"Broadax" Smith opposed the paper. and es-
peclally secuted the inference drawn from the
declaration that all men were created equal.
He held that while they might be born equal in
the eye of the law, equality cannot be main
tained even among the members of the same
race, SO long as one Is endowed with more in
tellectuality and force than another. He re-
ferred to the fact that a colored barber would
not shave him in his shop during
his business and "Broadax'' took the
ground that it was simply a matter of
business, and the only way to overcome the
disability was to 0utgr0w it. He held that the
white people did not discriminate against col
ored people because they wished to 1niure
them, but simply as matter of business. HIS
remarks were IN the nature of an exhortation
to the colored people to pull themselves to-
gether and hump themselves, as the possession
Of wealth would give them all they demanded.
gan Attempt to Postpone the Discussion.
As the temperature of the speaker was eyi.
IDENTIFY rising, Rev. Mr.. Boyden moved that
further discussion be postponed until next
Mondays meeting.
The Chair opined that the subject had been
that the committee OF which DIR. Laws is
Chairman condense the address as much as
possible for publication.
Rev. Lovatt wanted the matter dropped. say
ing that as they were not a unit, he thought
further discussion would not do any good
DR.. Laws contended that he didn't care for
the difference OF opinion holding that differ
ing showed that they were not tamely SUBJ
servlent, but had the courage to differ. He
Gid not believe they should meet and talk ex-
clusively on such topics as golden slippers and
golden stairs, but should also note what was
necessary to place them where they belonged
of right In this sphere.
Rev. q. w. Clinton made an infammatory
address regarding weak-kneed men who funk
when movement is adversely criticised by
newspapers. He SAID also that they were not
fighting BARRIERS but landlords The BARRIERS
do not represent the colored race, but the
churches do.
"Broadax' Smith here put in his oar in way
that in a political convention, would have been
the initiation of a row. but the ministers
though warm, were not fighting With feshly
arm.
Modifying without Modifying. -
. Rev. MIR. Clinton again and again expressed
a willingness to modify his address to suit
"Broadax" +" but he didn't modify. and "Broadax"
wasn't Modified worth cent, but Chairman
AsburypCured oil on the waters from time to
time, and the excitement merely seemed to
make the discussion interesting. Finally he
too stirred up some feeling when he stated that
the Council had been misrepresented in the
newspapers as to its objects, and the race had
been misrepresented i'll being held up as ffivol-
GUS people, etc.
Rev. Mr. Boyden wanted to know who said
SO, and in what papers.
"Broadax" Smith-He means me- did say
that too many of our people were what he
quotes, but did not say all, and want to say
here, as to the charge of being weak-kneed,
don't know the man l am afraid of. l don't
propose to be insulted.
1t was finally decided. motion of Rev. Mr.,
Ross, THAT Mr.. Smith should see that the paper
complained of made a correction.
Rev, w. P. Givens of the Good Hope
BAPTIST Church, reported that last Sundays |
collection for the purchase of lot on which to
build church had netted over S5l1, and that
the first payment had been made upon lot,
and the meeting adjourned considerably after
the usual time, Rev. MIR. Clinton serving
notice that hereafter he should enforce the
rule. and also insist on the men,
bers being in place at the proper time.