Waterbury Democrat., 1901-05-09
GOES TO MIDDLErowN.
LEhe Rev Mr HutehIngs wIn Be Sud.

 ceeded By Rev sIr McCullum.
 At the New England conference of the A. M. F. Zion church the Rev $. ". Hutchings of this city was trans ferred to MIddletown. He will be sue ceeded here by the Rev A. McCul- lum. The Rev MT Bell, who was pastor of the local M. l.. Zion church for eight years, was reelected presid- ing elder. Some of the members of the church on Pearl street claim that the institution of another denomina- ton In Waterbury for colored people weakened their forces considerably, and cannot understand why there should be two churches when one IS large enough to accommodate all. It ought to be an easy matter to meet this objection to the second church among our colored citizens. Like other races, all of them cannot agree upon an interpretation of the Bible, and consequently it Is tue most natural thing in the world to see them going apart and organizing churches to conform to their own mo- ton of what the Master wants to have them believe and practice. We are not aware that any of them pre- tend to say that there is anything wrong about this, but some folks who view the question from q purely busi- ness standpoint claim that they could reduce expenses and make more head- way if all should decide to remain under one roof Thatsfall right, but it does not apply in this case. A man who belongs to a church but does not believe everything 1t teaches is deceiy- ing himself and the sooner he branches out into business on his own hook the better for himself and those whom he diners from and sees no hope of win ming over to his way of thinking. The Zion church was very poor few years ago. The property is paid for now. 1rhe members of the new church are .Baptists, and while their numbers are not large, they will be increasing from time to time and in few years they will have a house of their own, that is provided they hang together and every lman makes it a point to do all in his ipower to help the committee. If a man Is not able to render any assistance in l the matter of collecting funds or mak- ing converts, he can do some good by showing his appreciation of the efforts of others and keeping silent about lit tie things that may not happen to suit hIm. Usually in churches managed by white people, those who contribute little or nothing towards the funds do most or IQe Dul WlitlncA this is true of our colored neighbors we are not able to say. But never mind about that. All can afford to give the new church a good word, any way It is entitled to this and some thing more substantial from those who have means above their own needs, for it is but fair to assume that the men behind it are actuated by a desire to improve the moral and social condition of their fellowmen. Because their way is not your way is no reason why they might not be right, and, in any case, they have a right to worship God ac- cordIng to the dictates of their own conscience This is one of the many grand privileges we enjoy in this coun- try and it should be encouraged. Wouldn't we be in nice box if they could make laws to govern our re- llgious conduct in Hartford, the same as they do with reference to our poli- ficsI You may conceive such a course would produce an all around kick. Of course it would, but what would that amount to? Thousands are kicking now over this way of doing business, but the fellows who have them under their thumbs are laughing at their dis comfiture, so we ought to be thankful that the power of the legislature is not more far-reaching. If it were the religious views of the people would re- ceive just as little consideration a. their politics do and then we would have double reason to kick. Here's success to the colored Baptists and 8heir new church.