Richmond planet., 1901-08-24
PEACE VAS In SIGHT
PRAYER WAS RESORT
ED TO.
Conference Committee Solved
the Problem-Would Not
Hear the Report.
CHAIRMAN BRIGGS DECLARED
THE MEETING ADJOURNED.
Wild Scenes of DisoPler.

Wild Scenes of DisO7ler.
The meeting of the Fjkst Baptist
Church last Monday night Eas attend
ed by about 500 persons and BIC was evi
dent that there would be a ldbt time.
Editor Mitchell was not Ttesent He
left at 4:45 p. m. that day D. Norfolk.
Va.
Promptly at p. m, Brstaer w. l.
johnson moved that Brother ID. Web
ster Davis, A. M. take the c&air
WANTED BAD RULIsG.
Brother William Henry II.vis moved
that Rev. Thomas II. Birds take the
chair, Brother Davis him%if put the
motion and declared Brothe4Briggs elect
ed and he proceeded to the 8hair.
He is now known as thefparliament
airy law Butcher and he is called Butch
er" for short. "
TANGLED AND KEPT TANGLED.
Right well did he keepshis record for
outrageous ruling. tAs sfa example he
had the paper readeon WASch the dea-
cons had acted iny callfh = the church
meeting, and without hRy1ng had the
paper which belonged 20 tie deacon $
meeting received by the Sehurch. pro-
ceeded TO entertain motion TO lay ii ON
the table although it was really not in
possession of the church.
The motion 10 recsive " made by
Bro. Robt. Watkins, who was guard at
Rule.
Brother A. J. Holmes moved that all
of it be tabled. Carried.
Then the prayer meeting commenced.
PRAYED A LONG PRAYER.
The amusing part of it was evident
when Brother w. S. Selden called upon
Brother Nelson Williams, Jr., who forg-
ed the names TO the application for the
meeting TO pray. He offered mp one of
those long-wlnded- ed-prayers with which
he has no doubt afflicted the poor Sun
day School children of the State during
his visits as missionary. He prayed too
that we might separate in peace
His prayer had about as much effect
as water upon ducks back
THE CONFERENCE OF LEADERS.
In the meantime committee ON con-
ference had been hastily organized. AT
last 1t became manifest that wide split
existed in the church between the con-
tending elements and after hasty con-
sultatlon, 1t was decided that something
should be done for the interest of the
church to check the mad career of those
who seemed to be In control of affairs,
backed as they were by combination,
which cared for naught else than TO car
ry point.
THOSE WHO TALKED TOGETHER
In one of the ante rooms. the follow
ing brethren were consulting:
II. L. Hill, Esq, Cashier of the True
Reformers' Bank; Rev. DIR. j. E. Jones,
OF the Union University; Hezelziah jon
athan, a leading wholesale and retail
| fish dealer who is well known. Deacon
Thornton Wyatt, Acknowledged TO be
one or the most conservative men, and
a man OF unblemished character, Rev.
! II. j. Bass, President of an Insurance
20. and pastor of the Baptist Church at
west Point, Rev. ID. Webster Davis, A !.
M, pastor OF the Second Baptist Church
| or Manchester, Va, a noted author and
| lecturer OF national reputation. Deacon
j. Q: Farley, a well known photograph
er, and Mr.. VIM. Henry Davis was
subsequently called in. This meeting
was indeed great one. The spirit of
| God seemed TO be with these brethren
Mutual concessions were made and
from what we can gather an admirable
paper was drawn up, which these lead
ing men of the church believed would
have solved every problem confronting
| the church.
Each one got down on his knees and
asked for divine guidance.
They reached a unanimous conclusion.
and 1t was understood that the plan
would settle the trouble and bring peace
to the church.
THE DEVIL IN THE CHURCH,
But while they with God were at
work on the inside of the committee
| room, the Devil was at work ON the ont
side in the church.
They had apparently forgotten that
they had left outside Brother Nelson
Williams, Jr., who forged the names to
! the application for the meeting, Brother
Tom IL. Briggs, "The Butcher'', Broth
er Robert Watkins, who was guard at
the penitentiary during the Readjuster
Rule and Brother Henry G.. Carter who
no longer wears those big-leg white
breeches and shad-belly coat, but who
nevertheless is now called ''Shad- -Bellv''
for short.
WOULD NOT HEAR REASON.
When the committee came out, Bro.
X. 1. Hill stated that they had reached
an. agreement.
Bro. Nelson Williams, Jr., who forp-
ed the names to the application for the