Richmond planet., 1902-01-11


breeches brigade just what he could do
with his fists. He told him that it was
a good thing that they were in the
church.
FIGHT WAS IMMINENT.
Friends got between the combatants
and fight was prevented Brother Bow.
Ter declared the utterances of Brother
Nelson Williams, Jr., who forged the
names to the application for the meet
lug. to be false, and declared that he
was prepared to prove it false Brother
Bowler was wrathy, and the more he
thought about it the hotter he got.
Sexton Tharps came up and attempt.
ed to quiet the brother and he went oct.
but the other brother didn't. Some
thought Brother Nelson Williams. Jr..
who forged the names to the application
Tor the meeting, and who more than ev-
er had the appearance of the shaking
headquarters of street elephant had
scaled the church walls or jumped over
the back fence, but later he came ont.
| walked towards the wrathy Brother
Bowler and apologized.
\ STINGING REBUKE.
Brother Bowler said to DIR. 7. T..
jones that If you people continue TO sub
stantlate and uphold this man, Williams
you are as guilty as he is and you all
are sleeping under the same blanket. In
fact, You are no better than he is.
Truly has day Of mourning come to
the First Baptist Church. Christian
forbearance and biblical humility seems
TO have gone never to return.
THE PROCEEDING IN DETAIL.
The regular meeting of the First Bap-
tlst Church took place Monday night in
the Lecture room, Rev. w. T. johnson,
b. ID. presiding. Owing TO the indispo-
sltlon of Brother b. p. VanderyaIl the
church clerk, Brother Thomas II. WYATT
discharged the duties
Brother Thomas II. Briggs, whose
bad record is known from Screamers-
VILE TO Rockets moved that the church
be called to order, After the transact.
ION OF routine business the usual ques-
tons, being asked, the committee
made their report.
COMMENDED THE OFFICERS.
This being the end of the 4th quarter,
the auditing committee made its report
for the year. 1t commended the officers
for the faithful discharge of their du-
ties.
Rev. r. j. Bass stated that as this
was the first meeting in the year, it
was the custom TO elect officers. He
| moved that all officers remain as they
are for the next twelve months. This
was seconded,
DEACON SMITHS OBJECTIONS.
Deacon Harrison Smith opposed the
| motion. He was not in favor of it
because there had been complaints
against the sexton. (Wm. III. Tharps.)
de did not think that the people
should continue to complain about the
condition and the way the church was
kept by the sexton and then at the time
| OF the election say nothing. He thought
that this was the proper place to COM
plain In order to let the sexton know
that somebody else could be sexton be-
sizes himself.
WANTED HIM TO DO BETTER.
Deacon Smith said he was not oppos-
ed to the present sexton, but Thought
that such statement would cause the
sexton to do better in the future.
The motion of Brother Bass prevailed
and silence reigned.
Rev j. +. Jones, d. D. moved that
the t1rst Baptist Church rescind its ac-
tion in denying to Rev. Payne the priv.
lege of the pulpit.
PANDEMoNIUM REIGNED.
This was seconded and the SCENE
which followed was one long to be re-
membered. Brother Chairman! Broth
or ChairmanP was heard from all parts
OF the house. Fully twenty persons
wero clamoring for recognition. In
vain Chairman Johnson called for ord
er. Then the excitement subsidized and
Rev. Jones was permitted TO proceed.
He stated that he was in favor of NOR
ahty.
BROTHER JoNATHAN's QUESTION.
Brother H. F. Jonathan arose to ask
a question. He declared that he did
not think Rev. Jones was acting in ac-
cord with his preaching sometime ago.
This seemed to aggravate Brother Jones
and he replied while shaking his finger
at Brother Jonathan. This caused
Brother Jonathan to enquire what he
meant as he was prepared to back every
thing he had said.
WANTED PAYNE IN THE PULPIT.
Brother Jones continued to state why
he thought Rev: Payne should be ac-
corded the privilege of the First Baptist
Church pulpit.
Then arose Brother Nelson Williams.
Jr., who forged the names to the appli-
cation for the meeting, and moved that
the resolution be received and adopted.
Pandemonium reigned On every side
arose the clamor for recognition.
Chairman johnson ''was in a strait
twixt two" Finally, he recognized
the senior deacon, Benjamin Harris.
He begged the church to let the Payne
matter remain where it was,-on the
outside.
DEACON wmDER's WARNING.
He was followed by Deacon James
Wilder, who in sympathetic tones