Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-03-05


lent action ? II has relied upon white
Raptists for it's statistics. The Metho-
iists Of African descent have relied up
ON themselves for their figures.
be says:
IAN accurate rep IT, no doubt, would
show that we COM up TO the ntteen
millions which thu Planet says We
should own"
But it is ali doubt. 1t is in the
realm of guess-work. and it is Of this
we complain. 1t should not be forgot
ten that in our last issue we used the
following language:
may be that we have raised larg-
er amount of money than that with
which We are accredited, for unlike the
Negro Methodists we send much OF our
money through white Baptist organi-
cations and put much of our funds in
institutions accredited TO them.
II was with 3 desire to spur our BRp-
tlst denomination to a better system
OF organization under trained Negro
leaders at we made the declaration
which. from our standpoint is borne
out by the facts which we have cited.
But then "May-be's' do not swarm
in the realm Of statistics. and the
''Must-be's" have the right OF way in
that locality. He says:
But let us see about the figures
which are given above IL the A. NJ.
(. Church were all that the Planet
/ claims for it the membership would be
/ 1ov q m r.,
in 1915 The Planet says that it is the
| grandest Negro religious body in the
world How is it that the Baptist de-
nomination stands so lar abead of it in
membership The Baptists started as
a separate organization in 1866 What
of our increase? Does it count Tor
naught 2"
This very separation of the A. M. e.
CaURoH hindered its growth, as well ss
retarded its acquiring of property.
While the colored Bsptists did not go
out TO themselves, they were neverthe-
less an auxiliary to the white churches
aud were as much organized into
churches as they are to-day. Who has
not heard talk of the plantation meet
ing house 1t is absurd to say then
that simply because we did not 60 out
} to ourselves that we were not organiz-
ed, and that the Baptist members ship
amongst us did not increase
We did increase in numbers. 1t was
not until the white Baptists put us out
to ourselves that we stood alone, and
numbers OF US have been trying to gel
back to them ever since-being verita-
BILE, Babes in the woods" Our in
crease of membership does not count
r for naught, but it amounts to but little
E unless we can utilize it and secure re-
suits which will increase our revenues
} and add to our property possessions
3 This, sir. is the standard by which al
races, churches or denominations art
measured.
Moreover, slave Methodists had N
T more opportunities for owning proper
ty than had slave Baptists.
He says:
D The A NE Church has all tn
s machinery that one could ask for"
When this is said all is said. 1t i
: this in which we are lacking, and ye
it forms the bedrock principle of ever,
r government upon the earth, both re
S ligious and secular. 1t must be utiliz
g ed by us or we shall become the door
g mat OF every other organiza tion tina
chooses to use us SIS such. We are tire
= of being used all the time, and w
/ should use others sometimes He says
1--WE will, however, say that the
have some methods for getting none
q that are not in harmony with th
genius of our church"
We do not deny this, and yet it
difficult TO tell what methods for gel
ting money are in harmony with til
A genius of our church." Festivals, e,
N cursions, concerts, and entertainment
|" both religious and secular are in voPu
g now. An essay or sermon, learne
doctor, upon this theme would have
IS most beneficial effect at this time
70 ave believe in money: the churc
10 cannot accomplish its mission in th
10 world without money, still we ave
boldly and fearlessly that the man VIII
reckons the worth of the church al
81 dollars and cents that it collects has
3. very poor idea as to the aim and pu
II pose of the church rs established
y Jesus Christ.
That may be and yet you seem to:i
P more the fact that while the aim al
lie purpose OF the church as establish,
,e by JESUS CHRIST is the saving OF me
ID still money is the most powerful agen'
by which this very thing can be accom-
g plished.
Is 1t stands to reason then that the
r nomination which ia best equipped
is it's machinery for the collection
IN money is also best fitted to send q
vinely appointed men out upon Il
highways and hedges to compel mt
re to come.
s Is the Colored Baptist denominatiC
t. doing this? Is it building itself l
10 along material lines of racial advanc
ment in order to accomplish this We
20 pun pose? If it is not, is it treason
N the Baptist denomination to point oil
II to them the way and to spur them l
to action by q reference to the wol
its rival is doing? If not, why not?
He remarks:
- "The lowest possible condition
Christian activity and life is Il
amassing OF large property pOssessio
"a upon the part OF the church to the ne
ok lect of the salvation of men,"
ia What denomination has done thi
+ On the other hand These accumulation
z are made for the better accomplis
msnt OF the very purpose for whi'
Christ died to save. 1t is this doctri
st that legitimate accumulation of pro
G. erty is contrary to the teachings of Il
AZ Scriptures, that has kept us in this in
h. poverished condition