The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-09-18
WHAT Mr.. WALKER ASSERTS.
He Rcitcrntes His Statement that The
Church's Action was Premature.
Editor Virginian:


Editor Virginian:
Sir,-I wish to ask the privilege of
replying, as briefly as possible. to the
set OF resolutions. involving my name
and which appeared in your issue of
to-day over the signatures of G. T..
Bealc. W; W Broadbent, II. S. Jarvis
and ID. w. Snow.
In these resolutions" l am severely
brought 10 bar for presuming to criti-
else the action Of the church they
represent. in expelling officer r. j.
Bass from its fellowship.
l wish TO say. first, that deeply de-
plore the necessity of having my name
to appear in this connection. and OF
being forced to Vindicate myself in
the public print for my act in address
ing a note to Commissioner c. T.. Yer
der. in behalf of Officer X. j. Bass
My letter, let me say here, was not
written for the public eye. nor with the
design OF publicly criticising the
church'S action. but was simply sent
To the Commissioner in the hope of
preventing any too precipitatc action
on the part of the Police Board toward
Mr.. Bass. Since this publicity. how
ever. has become necessary for the
defense Of right, have now no objcc-
ton to the use Mir. Nerdier has made
oil the letter, nor have any disposition
to rccede from the position taken in
IT. even though this would seem TO
bring In question the Instability of a
churCh's action
Briefly. the facts are these: officer
Bass. having been expelled from his
church and finding that this would be
likely To jeOpardize his position on the
police force applied to me for counsel
and help. Upon inquiring into the case
IL became apparent to my mind that
the Jaw and contitution by which this
church, IN common with all regular
BAPTIST churches. are governed was
ignored and set aside in this case. and
that this proceeding on the part of
the church would probably -, to his
dismissal from the force | felt bound
Sioher Neruicr 10 guard the board
10 send Il noe of warning to Commits
against unjust action. and. as in this
iand of civil and religious liberty Il cat
may criticiSc Il king. ] beg to br .x-
rused from pleading guilty of the
charge of presumption" because !
Vehtured To criticisc this proceeding
when 1t was plain 10 my mind that said
proceeding was 'prematurc. i'll consid-
cred and unjuStiiiable." and that such
proceeding afforded. so far as | know.
III" only ground OF procedure against
OFFICER Bass by the Board OF Police
commissioners; no charge appearing
against him from any other source. 10
my Knowledge
As To tn" first three statements i'm
ines" resolutions" | will say let the
heNrlop"mcnts mt the next meeting of
TN" board answer them.
have no wish To lcngthcn this arti-
ct" ny going into fuller details of this
unfortunate and to me. very unpleas-
amt matter: enough has been said !
mop" ana believe. to lndicatc To q
discriminating public the grounds of
my action in this matter. and only
ASK IN conclusion tina; the writer may
ID" permitted To receive. instruction as
To what constitutes Christian growth.
Nlrtu" ana duty from teachers of his
own choosing, and not from those who
set themselves up To be his spiritual
mentors in your issue of yesterday
(Signcd A. Il WAJEi,p