The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-05
Baptist Ministers Adopt Report of
Special Committee.
ACCORD WITH Or. HAWTHORNE.
Th, Installation Of Rev. W. S. Leake
inEuito,.-Jhurch Named tn Houor
of Nlars,,aiI-Dr. Iholuson at
Biiou-Sunuay Services.

ID.
harmony with those of DR.. j. b. daw-
thorne presented some time ago.
The paper, which was quite lengthy
one. was drawn up by DR.. r. II. Pitt,
chairman, and was signed by the other
members of the committee as follows:
Revs. I. S. Dunaway, D. d., j. u. Haw-
thorne. D. D., J. s. Hutson, D. D., and
NJ Ashby Jones. 1t entered into q full
treatment of the subject. and upon re-
quest Of the Conference Will be printed IN
full in the forthcoming issue of the Re
lisious Herald. After Il lively discussion
yesterday morning. without one dissent
ing opinion, however the report was
unanimously adopted
It is, in part, as follows:
I'VE, the Baptist Ministers Conference
of Richmond and vicinity, cordially SYM
pathize with the purposes of the Sunday
Observance League of Richmond as those
purposes are set forth in the constitution
of the League. We, therefore. deplore
the fact that certain reported and ap-
parently repeated utterances of one who
has recently been addressing the Rich
mond public the avowed representa-
tive of the League, under their auspices,
should make it necessary for us TO state
somewhat formally our dissent from the
views he seems to be promulgating.
I'VE feel constrained to put on record
our cordial and steadfast belief that the
State has no right to legiSlate concerning
Sunday as a holy day religious day,
and that when the civil arm is invoked
for the protection of that day it must
not be on the ground that the day is
Christian institution. but on the ground
that certain physical and economic laws
which have been disclosed by the expe-
rience of mankind under cessation from
ordinary labor necessary one day in sew
en-, and it falls in with the convenience
of the public for obvious reasons to fix
&I,.S F,.r.t u :, hot
If the State is to protect the day as a
religious day. an Institution of Christian
religion. then why limit legislation to the
mere matter of cessation from ordinary
labor?
A CHRISTIAN NATION
eve are Christian nation. in the sense
that the great majority of our people are
either actively or nominally sympathetic
with come form OF the Christian religion:
we are not d Christian nation IN the sense
that we have right to impose by law
distinctively Christian duties upon others
The ethical principles which Christianity
presents in their most complete form.
and which are reflected to a gratifying
degree in our laws, are not true because
they are by Christ and His inspired fol-
lowers and they would have been true
if He had never taught them. They are
eternally and unchangeably true. For
this reason. and not because Christ taught
The paper then went into lengthy dis
cusson OF the question. quoting from
Madison, Jefferson. and others.
With reference to the statement that
the courts had decided against this alb
solute separation of church ana State,
the paper goes on to say:
I'VE are told that the courts have de-
cided against it. ,..Asss 81 fact. the decisions
of the courts have varied touching this,
as they have concerning. all other guess
tons but the tendency of the decision
has been toward the full recognition of
the principle. And. if we We're careful to
quote human authorities, it might be
said in answer to any decision that looked
in other directions, that Congress has IN
recent years had the whole question OF
the relation of the State to religion en-
haustively debated. with the result that
by an overwhelming majority approprla-
lions to sectarian schools in Indian Ter
ritorv have been abandoned. and on the
distinct ground that these appropriations
were in support of religion. But as Bap-
fists maintained this principle when
courts, Legislatures and popular opinion
were all against it, 1t would be strange
indeed If an occasional court decision,
seemingly out of sympathy with it. should
break their allegiance. Ii goes without
saving that courts and Legislatures have
frequently invaded this principle and
perverted the doctrine of separation of
church and State. Some of the customs
and traditions which prevailed i'll the
DAYS of the establishment still linger
amongst us. They are not of great inn
portance but we hope to see the day
when every trace OF the old and hateful
tyranny has disappeared.
For the reasons here set forth we feel
constrained to give this expression of our
views on this vitality important matter.
Dr., I hutti-,ln-S Hlrcs.ns S.
DR. Thomson addressed a big mass
meeting at the Bijou Theatre Sunday af-
ternoon held under the auspices of the
Sunday Observance League. President
James d. Crump presided, and fine music
was rendered by the Second Baptist
Church choir. DR.. Thomson emphasized
the need for closing saloons on Sunday
Dr. Thomson spoke at the Second Baptist
Church at night.
Dr. Thomson was heard by n large
congregation last night at the Church of
the Covenant. He warned his auditors
against Indifference in the matter OF Sun
day observance. When asked about the
action of the Baptist preachers, he said
he did not propose to speak specifically
of the matter till he could see copy OF
the action. CONCERNING anything or any
person hearsay is what he could not
do. He speaks tonight at SIS in ST.
Paurs Episcopal Church.
Not Abont >>n.1 Services.
The welcome. service to Rev. w S.
Ieake Sunday afternoon at Fulton Bap-
list Church was largely attended and fun
OF interest. The music was bright and
the addresses cordial and interesting.
The new pastor and his wife We're ten
dered q social last nightly the ladies OF
the church.
Rev Harry Minnick Will preach his last
sermon at Aiarshall-Street Christian
Church next Sunday. Rev. DR.. c. z.
Williamson will take charge March 1st as
temporary pastor.
The Rev. j. c. helms, OF Vanceburg.
Ky preached Sunday morning and night
at the Third Christian Church Mr.. Neims
came to Richmond at the request OF the
committee appointed to select a pastor.
and his sermons yesterday We're trials.
The committee Viii hold a meeting to-
night, at which time the matter will come
up for discussion. The church will proba-
bly, take some action in the matter next
Sunday.
the Methodist Orphanage. preached Sum
orning at Denny-Street Methodist
Church a collection was taken and a
goodlv sum realized. The $4,000 expected
to be raised in Richmond is now in sight.
and Mr.. Ntastin will leave within the next