Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-03-05
REV. PAYNE SPEAKS.
Replies to a Circular.
THE DIVINE'S EXPLA
NATIONS.
Why He Declined to Serve
BE CHARGES DUPLl0ITY.
claims thar He was Unfairly Treated
claims thar He was Unfairly Treated


Mr.. Editor -
When wrote through your valuable |
columns some time ago. / thought II |
~as my last time to write anything
again in fight. Well, / do not know |
that this could be properly called q
fight, but rather plain statement.
Thing 1 wish TO write about, is this
There were scattered all through the
streets OF this city, circulars. styled
The PEOPLES Relief Association j,
Here 20 STAY" No name IL signed
but the No. COL n. Both Street is given
I am going to throw some rocks, and
IL YOU throw a rock in the dark and bit
dog, the dog which is struck will hol-
low.
remind one OF a fifth-rate school boy,
who had been caught in the act OF tax
ing his mothers sugar or preserves,
and was crying and telling any tale to
get out Of whipping.
As Co the author OF the little
missive. il would appear to the ln-
telligent mind, that all the policy hold
| rrs Joined in putting forth the circu-
lars, which thing isnot true; for am
| in the position to know that the policy
holders OF the said Association know
little or nothing of its internal work.
In all of my life my eyes have never
fallen upon q piece OF writing so VOID
Of truth. But to the point; when this
| institution was organized in 1898 and
I was made its President st my alb
sence, having been persuaded ali along
co be one OF its founders; but always
EXPIRE ssed my unwillingness to be en-
"a ged in secular affairs. l was utter ~
| surprised when / heard that / was
made its president. After some per.
| suasion to accept and a prayerful con-
sideration, / went before the board
Explained my policy and accepted the
flee. Not for the money or office, nor
the profit the institution might bring
10 me, but a desire Co help the nine
men composing the institution, and &c
benefit my people in general. The first
year of it's existence, there was great
rush into the Association for member.
ship and some falling away. The lat.
ter rather benefit the company, espec
tally when the company is numerically
strong.
WHERE THE TROUBLE BEGAN.
In the bulk of applications that came
before us. from time to time, soml
were sdjudged too old and some too
sickly. l found that this corflicteC
with my work as gospel minister anC
|
visited the aged and afflicted to con
sole them, they had their cases Of re.
lection by the Association to settl'
with me, before 1 could do my duty, q
a minister of God. Being pledged a
. all of the members were, not TO divulg
the affairs of the Association, and thi
would not be businesslike anyway.
could make little or DO satisfactory ex
PLANTATION.
OTHER DIFFICULTIES ARISING.
Some complaints were made, tina
= they did not get their money in time
e Some claimed that they were entities
to weeks dues yand we're only paid
1 Others contend about birth and deaf
/ claims. The blame of all these case
were put upon me as President, 10
|. the reason, that / was not only presi
n dent, but that l was pastor OF tn
church Many had gone in the Asso
e citation on the coDfidt nee they had i
; me, to see that things were carried o.
: right. Finding myself hampered. an
my work greatly hindered. 1 resolves
more than two years ago to be presi
g dent no longer; and TO sell cut my in
a terest and return to my work, beliey
= ing that God had called me TO peace
In 1897 some time before the end {
the year 1 offered my resignation {
- the Board. l was asked with niue
l. persuasion to change my mind entire
ly, or let the matter remain 81
= months. declined waiting six month
a and stated, that the year would en-
& before the expiration OF six months
but said, | would give them sufiicieI
s time TO consider the matter. as
d thought was dealing with gentlemen
n But have found out since from Gel
tain things that have happened, thu
J. there was among them sort of col
n spiracy. For / was asked not to sd
It anything about my resignation, as th
ELECT would work detriment to the il
r stitution. / accepted this, and hel
Z my peace. But there was one or mol
: of these men. who made it their bus
ness to go from house to house, tellin
r of this same matter in perversiV
!. way. That is: that they were going
n turn or kick me out of the presid
a at the end Of the year. In the meal
time other rumors got ahoat, that a
the money was gone, and had stole
it; and that one of the members ar
l. my self were at words and had come
blows. l was approached by mar
70 with regard to these rumors. denie
d the truth of them, until at length,
asked that per son, whom they charge
Is with putting out the same about IL
r matter. He said, There is no trui
in the rumors, the members of Il
/ Workingmen's Aid Association put OF
d such rumors $50 as to pull ours dow
and build up their Association"
l. went to the Board meeting and e.
ID planned this matter and made inquir
Is In answer to the inquiry those pre-
ent said, they had heard the rumo
,e too, but knew of nothing that l hi
<. said that might give offens TO any on
,e l accepted this and thought that w
the end Of the matter. but I observ,
thereafter, that was treated with co
= tempt in the. Board meetings from tin
y y and also in my other official capacit
.. then determined to insist upon Il
"a acceptance Of my resignation.
l. Coming to the Board meeting
the 18th OF January 1898 at 8 P. NJ,
at said to them. that while I had offer
~ my resignation, and that they had as
Sc ed me to let the matter rest six mont
and ] had declined doing that. but
lg would give them a sufficient time
5 consider the matter But there arc
Is other difficulties. which caused me
insist upon the acceptance of my resi-
TX nation at that time. And if the We
ID was not out L would not serve al
s. longer and If it ended that night I d
clined denomination or running (
ID the presidency again. There "
~ much persuasion brought to bear
" get me to change my mind but POI
lively declined under the then exis
~ ing circumstances.
"a First, that the company was failin
pa and this had explained to them in II
and that its collapse was inevitab
,v except change ia the affairs. On
a. what was more grievOus than all, tn
~ | was being treated with contem
= from time to time by one of the mer
bers of the board /; this, the Dos d hi
- I. some knowledge of. At this point
:. will give the condition of the Associ
- - ton as it was on the 18th of Januar