Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-02-15
FIRST
BAPTIST
CHURCH
BAD BREAK BY THE
PASTOR.
STORMY SCENES ON
- COMMUNION SUNDAY.
The Law Violated-Muzzled
the Members.
FRBE SPEECH NO LONGER Toll
GRATED.
Branatie Conclusion of Long Strug-
gle.
FREE SPEECH NO LONGER TOL.
GRATED.
Branatie Conclusion of Long Strug-
gle.
VOL.XIX NO. 10

II ever man, like Ducifer fell from a
high estate and belittled himself i'm the
estimation Of all conservative people.
that man was the Rev w. T. Johnson
B. D., when on last Sunday morning
after preaching good sermon, he ruled
like a Gar and in defiance of the estsb-
hshed custom and usage of the church
permitted the transaction of secular bus
iness even to the setting of time to re-
oeive bids for the remodelling of the
present church stI tIucture This was
done on communion Sunday, day so
sacred TO every believer that no business
Is transacted, not even in the deacon
board.
- GAGGED THE CONDENSATION.
No one who witnessed the stormy
scenes which followed could dc ubt the
truthfulness of the reports which have
found their way into the columns of the
PLANET. They saw the presiding officer
supported by the clique which has dis
graced the church deliberately suppress
all discussion of a motion, which motion
could not be made under parliamentary
law, without being subject TO discussion.
They saw men of the calibre and char.
acter, like Deacon j. O. Farley, one of
the leading photographers in this coun-
try, Brother II. +. Jonathan, a respect
ed wholesale and retail dealer; Deacon
Shepherd Shorts, who is respected by
both white and colored. and Rev. VIM.
A Mitchell, well known as a devout
Christian gentleman, unceremoniously
sqnelched. while a man like Brother
"Hindquarter" Nelson Williams, Jr.,
who forged the names to the application
he "a Cd 30,
the pending question.
TO NUILIFY CHURCH ACTION.
This was done in vain efforS to null
lily the action of the church in debar-
/ tsng Rev. Evans Payne from the pulpit
Of the First Baptist Church. The mo-
tion was made in accordance with a re
quest of Pastor johnson that he be given
full control of the pulpit.
Gray haired saints turned away in dis
gust at the shattering of their idol.
They had believed that Rev. johnson
had proved too strong for the tempter.
They could we'll remark, cat last thou
stand st before me undisguised.
CALLED WITHOUT NOTICE.
The meeting was called without prev;-
eus notice and a motion, subject to de-
bate was passed without debate. The
ealsfor the pending question was clearly
out of order until reasonable discussion
had been indulgeo in by those who were
opposed to its passage.
Deacon j. Q. Farley and Brother II.
T.. Jonathan were on the floor, having
arisen Immediately after the motion TO
give the pastor full charge of the pulpit,
and who were opposed to it. and yet
Chairman w. I. Johnson recognized
Brother "Hindquarter" Nelson Will
Hams, Jr., who forged the names to the
application for the meeting and who was
in favor of the motion. He moved the
pending question. This was declared
carried. In this Rev. w. T. johnson
boldly violated Hiscock's New Directory
for Baptist Churches, Page SIS, which
says
THE LAW IS PLAIN.
eff two members rise to speak at the
same time, preference is usually given
the one farthest from the chair or to the
enc opposing the motion under Discus
len."
Hiscock's New Directory for Baptist
Churches, Page 578 says:
"Nor does cali for the Question
deprive a member of his right to speak"
The question and the pending question
are one and the same. Chairman John
SON in refusing to hear either Brother
Farley or Brother Jonathan violated this
section of the law as laid down for the |
guidance of the church.
GENERAL MOTIONS DHBArAM.E.
All motions are debatable, and accord |
ingly subject to discussion, except the |
previous question, for indefinite post
poPenent, to commit, 20 lay On the Ca |
ble and TO adjourn.
Hisoock's New Directory is even aoro
emphatic and shows that o motion which |
should not be discussed cannot bo voted |
apon and must be dismissed.
On Page $50, ID says: eff, whsa .