Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-20
A HOLINESS" MOVEMENT.
Negroes In DanviiIe and Vicinity Demora
I5xcd nv "a Female ImpOsfOr.

lined by ~ Female Impostor.
DANyILLE. VA. February 19.-(Spe-
cial )-Not for years has there been such
n .commotion among the colored Baptists
and the various pastors Of the colored
Baptist churches OF this city. North Dan
VILE. and surrounding country as at this
time. This has been brought about by q
holiness movement. instituted by n negres'
from Raleigh. ". c.
This woman's name Is Bette Thompson
She came here last summer, and gainet
access to the hearts and homes and
churches OF these people. representing her
self as engaged In missionary work for th'
colored Baptists in the South. Aftei
gaining n foothold she showed her true
colors by declaring That she was holy as
Christ was holy. and further that she had
professed entire sanctificatioD and could
not sin.
IL was not long before some of the
leading colored women in the church be-
came irdoctrinated with this new religion
left their church. and became the fol
lowers of Bette Thompson. Not satisfied
with this move. husband and wife,
through her teaching. set up separate es-
Establishments, and the women would leave
their ZONES for three and four days
leaving their children, and husbands to
take care Of themselves while they were
out preaching holiness and trying to prose
lyte. Quite n number Of the colored peo-
pie who were members Of societies, in
surance companies. etc. which was a help
to them in case of sickness and to their
families In case OF death. have left the
societies and returned their books TO the
Insurance ongptg raCtipp under the 1pll-
siorl that being holy and entirely sancti-
fed. they should not look after the body
or family, but that the Lord will make
ample provision.
one OF the colored churches in this city
has lost some of its most prominent female
members and others are on the fence.
Ir North Danville all Of the women in
one Of the churches professed holiness,
and IL seems that the pastor did not take
kindly to the new religion at first. 1t Is
said. however. that. learning he would
nave his heed cut off II he did not zine
the army" he. too, proclaimed his con-
version TO the holiness faith. This last
move was the straw that broke the
camel's back. n n meeting of all the
colored Baptist ministers has been held.
with moderator and clerk. the matter
discussed. the recreant minister and some
of the people heard. and the following
adopted:
DOCTRINE CONDEMNED.
Our attention having been called 10 the
fact that a new doctrine is being preached
In our midst, whose advocates claim
among many other misleading fallacies.
tina a person once saved can't be lost
that sanctihcatior, and holiness are in
stantaneous. and not the gradual work
of the Holy Spirit; that a person can live
on earth holy and sanctiied In both soul
and body: that all the preachers are
preaching false doctrines. and that for the
money only, AMI believing IT our impera-
tive duty as Baptists to defend the princi-
pies Of our denomination. by ~denouncing
this doctrine. which has and is still ship
wrecking the faith OF some OF the weaker
minded ministers and deacons, members
OF our churches. we therefore submit the
following:
/. That we condemn with all Gospel
force sufh doctrine, seeing that it Is
ruinous q the cause of Christ.
2. TIM we advise all the Baptist
churchX whose members are practicing
such Actrines to use Gospel steps TO re-
claindtthem, and should their efforts prove
ineZectual. we further advise that such
members be expelled.
The churches are determined TO ex-
communicate all their members who re-
fuse to be disciplined, or. rather, forsake
the teachings of this woman and return
TO the fold.
They nave also resolved to sever all
fraternal relations with preacher ard peo-
pie who nave left the established princi-
pies of the Baptist church. and should
they make an attempt to enter the next
State association will be denied the right
to enter.
Some of the colored people say now that
the fight is on. They will not rest until
Bette Thompson is forced to leave these
regions.