Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1895-03-16

PLANET-which the church records and
the records of the court will prove to
the public, in substantiation of letter
signed G..
The records of the Daniel Town Bap-
tist Church, the Buchanan Baptist
Church, the Covington Baptist Church.
the Ebenezer Baptist Church. Staun-
ton, Va, and the First Baptist Church
of Lexington, Va, will show whether
or not the Rev. J. l.. Barksdale is wor-
thy minister of the gospel, or not. We
invite a comparison of work and char
acter, by any of the accusers. Since he
has been pastor for the High Street
baptist Church, we can speak for him.
When he accepted the call as pastor.
unsolicited, he has proved himself a
man of God. He found the church in
debt in all of its departments of church
work, behind with the pastor, sextorfs.
clerks, organist, building and loan as
sociation and various other sundry
debts that the church records will
show that he, through his energetic la
bors paid of. At the same time add
ing souls to the church. We know
nothing Of him but a preacher OF the
gospel of Christ. He not only proved
himself to be a pastor, but powerful
preacher. His place viii be hard to
ill. Allows US TO say that, Rev. ]. l..
Barksdale never promised any arbitra-
tors or church to resign from the pas
torate of High st. Baptist Church
We ask any one, be he white or black to
produce the record, for such a mislead-
ing statement We think that man
Of intelligence, has so far forgotten
himself, as RIP Vanwinkle," to arouse
from sleep and ask where, go, where
am j ?' when he shed scblood in the
church of God, and then referred TO it.
charging an innocent man with it, or
being the cause of it-when in fact-he
had nothing to do with it. Mr.. J. T.
Pierce shed the blood of A. Morton in
the High st. Baptist church in dea-
con meeting, when Rev. j. L. Barks-
dale was at home in his study, and
had no more to do with it than an an
gel. The woman that died of fright in
the church caused by the same con-
temptible, unchristian conduct as hap
pened on November 80, 1894. The sup
porters of the pastor and church then
stand by him to day-and will stand by
him as long as he proves himself wor-
thy OF our support. The only trouble
that we have in the church, is when
these. loyal better element, and higher
people, come and raise it
Be lt further understood that the
true christians of Danville, Va, take
no part in trying to SANDER the inno-
cent family of the Rev J. l. Barksdale.
We condemn all past actions of per-
sons endeavoring, by rings to bring re-
proach upon him through some one of
his family. We ask that the innocent
be let alone
As to the question of majority. it is
generally understood, that there has
never in fact as to whether or not that
Rev. Barksdale have majority of the
members in his favor. That is the wav
to account for his remaining pastor of
the church. He carries a large major
| ity, Notwithstanding the false rumors
and canvassing from house to house to
draw from him his strength. We are
willing to let the court decide the pend
ing contest since we have been forced
to appeal for justice. We truly hope
that these few lines will give an idea
to all concerned as TO the true status
of affairs.
Yours for peace,
S. d. PARHAM,
i. DAY,
ROBERT JOHNSON,
Sort GRAsTY,
w. Z. WIrHERs,
PEYTON WILLIAMS,
w. M. JACKSON.
Deacons for the High st. Baptist
Church, Danville, Va.