Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-07-06

The regular meeting of the First Bap-
tist Church last Monday night was one
of the most stormy ever seen in this city.
Deacons who have grown gray in the
service of the church shook their heads
with the ever present reminder, 81 told
you So"
Eighty-two persons out of a total
membership of $500 voted TO pay the
newly called divine $1,000 per annum
over the bitter protests of those who con
stituted the minority. AT times a per-
sonal encounter seemed imminent be-
tween Deacon Harrison Smith and Rev.
ADr. J, lxs, the latter charging that
&se 1StSd upon his (Jonesl
that At he would go out
with 1on did not accept
the inS We result was that the
deacony dested TO apologize both
to the BODY and to DR.. Jones. He did
this gracefully and then wanted TO con-
tinue the debate.
THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
The causes which have led to this de-
plorable state of affairs in this church
dates back about four months, when a
committee of Is, together with the board
of deacons were appointed to bring in a
name or names for the pastorate of the
church. The so-called cooperationists
seemed to have played for an advantage.
The committee decided to report one
name and then it decided to report three
names. The fight began with the at
tempt to keep the name of Rev. Walter
II. Brooks, ID. ID. from being presented
to the church. 1t was about o'clock
in the morning before Deacon J. G. Far
ley succeeded in having DR.. Brooks
name placed there.
Upon a review of the vote, it was
found that two-thirds of the deacon
board fovored this distinguished pulpit
orator, who was at one time member
of the First Baptist Church. This caus-
ed the opposition to go to work and in q
way that astonished the oldest members
of the church. Male and female canvas
sers went from door to door declaring the
virtues of Rev. w. T. johnson, and in
many cases belttling the merits of Rev.
DIR. Brooks. This was further aggra-
waited by the open declaration of Mr.
Henry G. Carter that he had 147 men,
bers of Clubs and the @. f. Society
and SO Sunday School teachers pledged
to support Rev. johnson. He later de-
elared that they had over 800 persons
pledged.
WHETHER MAN OR GOD CALLED.
AS it was presumed that the pastor
was tolbe ''God-called" and not ''man-
called" the effect of this declaration
was electrical and led Deacon J. @. Far
ley to publish the now famous letter in
the PLANET, entitled "Why Call DR..
Brooks
The deacon board seeing that trouble
was imminent decided that Deacon
Thornton Wyatt, one of the most con-
servative of all of them should call the
meeting to order and have the body to
elect its own chairman.
Monday night, June 3rd, was long to be
remembered. The rain fell in torrents.
There were only slight intermissions.
Despite all of this the females came
out in full force and it was found out
that the boastings of the johnson sup
porters were realized for at least 500
fled to one side Of the church.
THE RAIN FELL.
The rain tended to diminish the atten-
dance of the members who were untram
meled and they were slow gathering.
There was suddenly commotion in
VAAOOA OAAC LULU SCtSOo w ICug IOCNs w dG-
hns, who was guard at the peniten-
tiary during the Readjuster rule and is
now canvasser for the True Reformers
arose and declared that it was time to
call the meeting to order. He suggest
ed that Brother r. T. Hill take the chair,
and proceeded to take the vote without
asking, care you ready?"
In the meantime Deacon Thornton
Wyatt was an interested observer. There
was wave Of approval among the or
ganized clubs and they yelled loud
aye.
John Mitchell, Jr. was on his feet in
an instant protesting against such pro-
ceedings. He insisted that no chair
man should be installed In any such a
manner. Then came the jeers, the hoot-
ings, the cries Of "sit DOWN.
DEACON FARLEY ExrLAINs.
In the midst Of this, Deacon ], o. Far