The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-06-01
CALLING UPON THE DEITY
The ColOred People Make an Appeal
Against the Lynching OF Their Race.
Great Meeting IN Tomlinson Hall-Spseches
and Prayers BY Prominent ColOred Di-
vines-Important Resolutions.

Several weeks ago q call was issued by
leading men of the negro race. in which.
after citing the insecurity of life 10 people
Of that face in the South. the sudden and
awful punishment without trial OF any
form of law upon susp icion Of crime. Jbe
necessity was set forth of taking some
action in this matter. This took form in
the suggestion that a day of fasting and
prayer be held by the colored people all
over the Ian to invoke Divine interference
and to arouse public sentiment against the
lynching of the people of the race. these
mob murders rarely being made the snbjecs
of serious judicial inquiry and their per.
petrstors always escaping punishment
Yesterday was the day set apart for that
purpose. and in this city these services of
prayer were held in Tomlinson Hall. The
morning service opened with Hon. j. ).
Hinton as master of ceremonies. Mr. Hin
ton. who has not been in robust health for
some time. said he would he unable to pre-
side and introduced Rev. j. NJ. Morton.
pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, TO take
bis place.
The first speaker was Rev. J. w. Braun
well. lie began with saying that these
meetings were not for the discussion OF po-
tx u " ~ tnCl WoAO
TO pray for the preservation of human
lives. He described the sufferings of those
who still renamed In the Southland. where
all the vintage of the grapes OF wrath ap-
parently has not yet oeen gathered. As
the audience listened women wept and
strong men were moved To tears.
Rev. Leroy Reid. pastor of the First
CHRISTIAN Church. read the first chapter OF
Romans and then the audience rose while
Rev. i. l.. Ferguson, pastor of Simpson
Chapel. NJ. T.. Church. led In prayer. MIR.
Ferguson prayed with great feryor. w
have trusted In men" sad he. but to-day.
Oh, God, We come trusting In Thee for pro-
lection. We ask protection for our race
and comfort for the heart-broked mother
whose boy has been murdered because or
the rkness of his skin"
There il n fountain nlled with blood.
Drawn from Emanuels veins,
Was sung with much feeling. The grand
old song spoke to every heart present with
an emphasis IL had never before borne.
Rev. j. w. Carr. pastor of the Second
Baptist Church. then spoke. basinR his re-
marks upon Ecclesiastes i. 4. He SAID:
We are assembled to-day to inquire OF
and besecch God respecting these brutaii-
ties which are being perpetrsted almost
daily on members of our race. Are they
not human' If SO, should they not be treat
ed accordingly Are they not American
citizensf If so. in the case of committing
any misdemeanOr. have they not just as
much right to a fair and impartial trial be-
fore the courts of the United States as any
other American oitizenf The ne groes or
the United States are Amerlcanized citizens.
at home TO stay. and should "A few OF them
20 abroad yOu may expect them homo
again soon. The cry is now being heard:
What shall We do With the negrOs" As
one of old has well said. Just let him
alone and he Will do no harm" Who
has the W to stop mobbing and lynch
ing in the Southf 70 this inquiry every
one stands mute. The President Is power
less; the Cabinet Is d~umfounded." Why
should the government be powerless TO
protect its citizens at home in the SOUTH
In conclusion, | would say: May the ire
sistIble power of God of Heaven be central-
lied to alleviate tho people OF His choice
from oppression. DISADVANTAGES and de-
testable DETERMINATIONS. where, ire
spective OF color or previous condition, We
shall sit upon thrones Judging the twelve
tribes of the children of Israel with Abra-
ham. Isaac and jacob"
Presiding Elder Rollins. of the NJ. +.
Church, offered prayer, alter which Rev. j.
Nj. Morton spoke. He said he did not IN.
derstand the apathy of some of his people;
that he aid not see how any cOlored per-
son who read the daily papers as they
chronIcled the violent deaths of colored
mel in the South could be silent.
Rev. Ferguson said the colored man had
many things ct TO pray for before he would
be- as other citizens. he said that they
were not only restricted in their means OF
securing happiness and enjoying liberty.
but they were hunted for their lives.
Rev. James A. Davis then offered prayer.
in which he spoke of the failure that had
been made 10 secure protection from earth.
ly power.
A Hfteen- minutes recess was then spent
by different speakers in variations of per-
sonal rntferIng in the South. Others oc-
cuDiod the time In silent prayer. while Vet
Others lifted their voices in ~plaintiye sup.
plicatioD.
At 1850 p. NJ. Rev. n. A. Seymour called
the meeting again TO order. Rev: K. Z.
II IL m
Cleft. OH Rock of Ages was sung, and
Rev. ID. Duncan prayed with great earn
estness.
The afternoon meeting, at half-past q
mond. the newiy-elected editor of the
Southwestern Christian Recorder. lie was
al eloquent speaker. and aroused his hear
crs to ~ high point of enthusiasm. After a
season" of song and prayer, in which
great feryor was shown, a sermon was
preached by Rev. T.. Il. Martin. Addresses
followed by Rev. George A. Sissle. presld.
ing elder of the Louisville Conference. and
Rev. Jason Bundy. of Logansport. The
assembly was moved TO an e~cstatic state
by a prayer 10y Mrs. Dolly Lewis
The tenor of the sermon, speeches and
prayers Was religions. There was no at
tempt 10 lay the blame upon the federal
government. aud IL was q frequent express
sion. "Only God can help u.s.
The last session of the afternoon was
addressed by Rev. G. +. Williams, of the
Calvary Baptist Church. lie preached
no formal discourse. but called upon the
faithful to pray belisviDgly for divine in
tercession IN the South TO prevent the
ruthless slaughter of coiored men and
women. "All We ask" said the speaker.
Aner 9as rights sl.is.n.. and we privilege, dss's .. *
for social recognition. We only ask
IA fair show for justice and happiness.
Our brothers and our sisters In the South
are oppressed and beaten even unto death.
We ask for mercy and justice when they
do wrong. not vengeance and murder with
ont trial. We ask that the white man hold
human life in higher regard. as he shall
answer unto God. The government should
be able 10 protect us. I doI't mean TO
blame President Harrison. for he has said
and done more for us than any President,
except Abraham Lincoln"
The meeting closed with songs. prayers
and u UenedIction by Rev. Morton.
The Evening Meeting.
The meeting continued last evening. w.
ii. Furniss called Hon. j. s. Hinton to pre-
side and j. I. V. Hill was made secretary.
Mr.. Hinton said that while speaking of
the condition of the race in the South he