Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-07-19

20 have its candidates baptized in the
FIRST Baptist Church Pool. This was
granted with the understanding that
Rev. w. L. Johnson, the pastor per-
form the ceremony. 1t was on the
same night that the schemers got
through resolution calling a council OF
| the white and colored churches of this
vicinity. After this was done, il is
| alleged that Rev. Lewis and Rev. Payne
demanded that the right hand of fellow
ship be withdrawn from the Mt. Olivet
Baptist Church.
BROTHER JOHNSON DESPERATE.
Rev. johnson was in quandary. If
he did not comply, Revs PAYNE and
Lewis 1t is alleged declared that they
would stand hands off and in this they
would be backed mp by the other coon
Grafton churches and the council wouid
! fall through. Rev. johnson yielded to
the tempter and on Sunday morning
called meeting of the church for the
next (Monday) night without even
stating the purpose of the meeting.
Those opposed TO Rev. Payne were
thrown on their guard and barefaced
attempt was made TO undo in a called
meeting what had been five times before
confirmed in regular church meetings,
RAnRoADED THE MOTION.
The matter was railroaded through.
motion, being declared carried TO en-
dorse the action OF the Moore st. Baptist
Church Council,
Thus the First Baptist Church had on
Sunday morning baptized the candi-
dates OF the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church
and ON the following Monday morning
as result of deal with drawn the
right hand of fellowship from a church
which che day before it had held to its
bosom.
A DISGRACEFUL COMBINE.
Thus began the disgracsful combine
IN Christian community and by people
who claimed to be followers Of the good
and lowly Jesus.
When this news was transmitted TO
Revs Lewis and PayDe they proceeded to
take the leadership and sent word to the
cooperation churches to be represented
by all means. The word was passed
around that the First Baptist Church
must be upheld at all hazards.
A SMALL GATHERING,
The meeting was held July Sth. A
call of the roll disclosed the fact that
only about twenty churches had re-
spondod, with a members of only 40
persons in the council as compared with
the other Baptist council composed of
76 churches and a membership of 800
persons in the council. Ofall the white
churches invited, none responded.
There were three white brethren
present and they stated that they came
as individuals, but had no authority TO
represent their churches. This brought
about the most embarrassing state of
affairs, as Rev. George Cooper, d. d.
pastor of the First Baptist Church
(white) had been chosen secretary. 1t
was necessary for a special resolution TO
be passed making elders members of the
body, with voice but no vote.
AMUSING PREDIcAAENT.
This placed the white brethren
present in amusing prediciment. They
were practically disfranchised at the
outset. Rev. Il. ID. Lewis stated that
some Of the members of the First Bapt-
ist Church had objected to the presence
of the members of other churches and in
order TO test the sense of the BODY. he
moved to exclude every one save the
members Of the council and the men,
bers of the First Baptist Church, This
brought forth protest from one OF the
white brethren of the Second Baptist
Church (white.)
WOULD PROVOKE CRITICISM.
He warned the council that such a
course would be fraught with danger in
that 1t would provoke criticism and
reflect seriously upon the findings of the
body. He proposed that everybody be
excluded except the members of the
council. After some discussion, this
was agreed to, and the very people who
had made the suggestion were a moment
later sent marching out Of the First
Baptist Church, while the doors of their