Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-03-01
A WORD ABOUT THE CHURCH.

tract from the Augusta, GEORGIA BAP-
TIsT, relative to the unfortunate condi-
tions now prevailing at 1.-The Old First
Baptist Church of Richmond, Va"
We agree into to with ali that Editor
WHITE has said. When ring has Sc
cured temporary control of a church,
disregarded the Bible, trampled upon the
Baptist polity, ignored the right of a
respectable minority and set up an alb
solute monarchy in a denomination
known for its catholicity of spirit and
republican practices, then nothing is
left but exposure by the public press.
AS to the truthfuIness of the reports,
we ore ready to let those present testify.
The PLANET has vigorously adhered to
the, truth.
1t has utilized the shafts of ridicule.
but the facts are just as stated, and we
have from time 20 time challenged de
NAL.
We say it advisedly that colored peo-
pie cannot practice the vices they con-
denim in certain classes of white people
without making themselves ridiculous
in the eyes of the civilized world
We must condemn the ignorant, law
less, vicious elements amongst us with
the same asperity and rigor which we
exercise against those of the white race.
When this is done, then we make
good our claim to recognition and prove
ourselves worthy of all of the rights for
which we contend.
1t has been the source of modification
to us to witness the disgraceful proceed
ings at the First Baptist Church
We had hoped that the exposures of
the evils would result in the application
of remedy.
From the time, that Chairman Briggs
declared that "this church don't want
to hear no more law" down to the time
when Rev. w. t. JOHNSON, the pastor.
called meeting of the church ON less
than half hours notice, suppressed all
debate on a debatable question and de-
clared motion carried in called meet
ing which was presumed to nullify the
action of the church in regular meet
ing, we have wondered whether these
people were insane, or ignorant, or
both.
A writer has well said:
where law ends, tyranny begins"
If then these people override their
own law and the laws of God, trample
upon the rights of the minority by sup
pressing all discussion, they invite just
ifiable revolution.
We joined the Baptist Church because
it guaranteed republican form of gov
eminent.
And yet it is a fact that one member
of this church would actually rise ia his
seat, and when member who did not
agree with him spoke, would move that
he or she be silenced, and in one in
stance at least, this motion was actually
carried and the brother silenced.
They did not stop there, but had the
audacity to attempt TO muzzle the press,
the acknowledged bulwarL of liberty in
every republic.
The absurdity of this procedure is APP
parent upon its face. We would not
belong to any church, organization, po-
litical or religious where such a condi-
ton of affairs obtained.
1t is am outrage, disgrace, a stand
ing shame TO the denomination. Here
we have the PLANET at our absolute
control, and we have never during a
journalistic career of eighteen years de-
MED to "a person attacked the right of
reply free of charge. requiring only
that such reply be encouched in de-
cent language.
4 member disa9reeing with the con-
trolling spirits at the First Baptist
Church is summarily squelched, and
yet we have thrown the columns OF the
PLANET open to all of them
We are grieved ard yet hope that a
, change viii come over this congrega-
ton 10 the extent that they will force a
cessation of the unfortunate conditions
which prevail
Here before God and man, we pr :
nounce the action of the ring at this
church TO be without a precedent in the
history of the denomination.
The conduct of these alleged Chris
tians has been q crying shame and a re-
Election upon the religion of the lowly
JESUS.
The Baptist churches of Richmond
are practically unanimous in their posi-
ton relative to these unfortunate condi-
tons and none have extended symra-
thy.
AT the installation of the pastor, it
was difficult to secure ministers to offic-
late ON the programme. 1t shows that
the Baptists Of Richmond are all right
and, regardless of their disagreements
on minor questions, they will never
trail the banner of true religion in the
dust and declare that Wrong is Right