The Savannah morning news., 1902-08-24
"NoW WILL YOU BE GooD?"
THRASHING AWAITS NEGROES
WHO FAIL IN THEIR DUTY.

1t Ia Administered by Members of
Their Own Race, Who Have De-
termined to Raise the Standard of
Domestic and Public Duty-Unique
Organization of Blacks at New
Providence, in Laurens County,
Rod.
Dublin, Ca, Aug. 2S.-The negroes
living in the neighborhood OF New
Providence Church, a few miles from
Dublin, have distinguished themselves
by their originality. They have form
ed society which. for originality and
uniqueness. probably, has no equal in
the whole country.
The society is of course composed
entirely of negroes, and has for its
object the betterment of the race. the
incubation of right principle and right
living in the negro, especially those
who are members of the society, and
the making of better citizens of those
who live in the neighborhood of the
headquarters of the society.
AC pan VI ltAO SONttly 10 W ihddAAC
into the mode of living of its members,
and to correct if possible any defects
found in the character of those whole
long to the society. To that end any
erring brother who fails to right any
wrong he has been guilty of is, on
conviction. soundly thrashed in the
presence of the other members of the
society.
AS soon as charges are preferred
against a member he is at once noti-
fed. If he corrects the evil com
planned of by the next regular meet
ing, all we'll and good. If he fails or
refuses to correct his faults as seen
by the members of the society. if not
of all men, he is tried by court-martial.
A court is formed, evidence is taken
and his guilt or innocence established
The one under charge is allowed to
procure counsel from among the mem
bers, and is given every opportunity
to prove his innocence. If proven
guilty the punishment is always a
whipping, which the erring one sub
mits to with the best possible grace.
Since the formation of the society a
few weeks ago, three of the members
have been found guilty of falling to
prove themselves good citizens and
provident husbands, and were whip
ped.
1t was reported to the society that
Mark Tadwell's wife was badly in need
of wash pot. He was ordered to show
cause why he had not provided his
better half with this most necessary
utensil. He failed to buy pot before
the trial came off or to show when
tried that his wife could manage with
out one and still not be put to any
great amount of inconvenience. Convic-
| ton therefore resulted and Mark was
| whipped. The fact that he is a brother
of the secretary of the society did not
save his hide.
In riding past the home of Early
Burch it was seen by one of the mem
bers of the society that his front gate
! had fallen down. From all appearances
he had made no effort to put it lp, al
| though to swing it again would re-
| quire but little work and but a small
outlay of money for hinges. On the
| trial of Early the facts were brought
out that the gate had been dowa some
| weeks and that his wife had m lido re-
peated efforts to get her husband tC
take more pride in the care of hi:
home. Conviction followed, and Early
will remember long time the corpora
| punishment he received at the hands
of the other members of the society.
The next meeting of the society will
| be held at an early date, and it is said
that at that time several members will
be tried if previously they do not cor
rect the things complained of. One of
| the ~ambers. Lewis Rurch bv
name, has been summoned to show
cause why he has not provided tackle
! Tor his we'll so that his wife could draw
water with more ease than at present
| 1t is said that the society is doing a
world of good in the neighborhood
where 1t had headquarters. 1t is max
ing better citizens of the blacks vA'o
/ are members. Even those who have
not Joined have caught the spirit of the
thing, and are trying to live the lives
of more useful citizens and to take bet
ter care of their homes and their fam
lilies.
The white people living near New
Providence Church IN no way inter-
fere with the working of the society.
They are well wishers in the object of
the society and hope that its results
will be far-reaching. They are watch
ing with much interest the results, but
are offering no suggestions preferring
that the negroes work out their own
salvation in this unique way If that is
their purpose and intention.
The existence of this strange society
is vouched for by Mr.. James Roach
and other reputable white men living
near New Providence Church.