Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-24
BAPTIST LEADERS
HURL HOT WORDS

A1IERICus. Ca. Nov. 1.-There was a
cash in the Georgia Baptist convention
last night Il came on the discussion OF
the question OF separation Of the church
ard the state For a time IL looked as II
there might be a scene. but only one man
lost his head, and the incident was swal-
lowed up IN the greater debate that called
II forth.
For weeks the brethren have been look
ing to a discussion OF the question Of
separation OF church and state. Baptist
schools In Georgia have been receiving
money from the state 20 help them along.
The question was whether or not this
was a violation OF time honored Baptist
principle OF a complete separation OF
sermon by Rev. J. F. Eden. OF Monroe.
Or. @. A. NuqnaIiy. OF Lagrange. one Of
the best known men in the state. intro
duccd the following resolution
RESOLVED. That we hold that separation
OF church and stale applies to matters OF
ccrscic-ce. INTERPRETATION OF Scripture.
acts OF worship ard the performance OF
duties 70 the Di-sre Be.nE.
such separation will not ally the state,
b. legislation. to discriminate for or
against any individual or company OF in
dividuals on account OF their religious
convictions. but binds the state TO pro-
tect everyone in the worship OF God ac-
<ordinR 70 the dictates Of his own con-
science and in the performance Of these
Obligations which he conscientiously be-
lieves he owes 10 his maker.
That such separation does not demand
that the religions belief Of an individual
or company OF individuals shall work a
forfeiture Of their privileges as citizens.
nor result II a disqualification for service
duties nor present barrier to compensa-
tion for service rendered 20 the state"
DR.. Nunnaily was recognized to discuss
the resolution. Before beginning he said
there had been made in the Christian
Index a statement that was a reflection
upon him and upon other brethren OF the
convention He asked II the editor OF the
paper. DIT. T. p. Bell. OF Atlanta. would
now publicly retFact the language. DR..
Ben. who sat directly in front Of the
speaker. made no reply.
"Here f. the language that was used, .
cried DR.. Nunnally. reading from The In
dex.
e We have done what we felt It our
duty to do. when we saw our Baptist
people violating. as we believed. the great
principle OF absolute separation OF church
and state. and doing IL for The loaves
and fishes which the state provided in
its school fund. In the simplest. clearest.
strongest way we could. we have put the
matter before our brethren trying 70
make them see wherein the great princi-
pie was being violated and urging a diff
ferent course
. To our surprise we must confess the
action OF the schools receiving state aid
has found defenders. and our surprise has
not been much the less because. In nearly
every case. these defenders were breth-
ren more OF less closely identified with
schools that were receiving the states
money We. In our innocence. had hoped
that Il would only be necessary 20 call at
tention 20 this evil. 20 have II remedied.
But we were mistaken. We ought 70 have
Known that enterprises and institutions
that have once tasted the public pap. or
TO change the figure. have once gotten
their hands into the public treasury. find
II hard 70 take them out. And we fear
that the observations Of the past on this
line VIII be repeated IN this case
rs Il right" said DR.. Nunnally. ito be
treated On this way7 I pause for a reply.
Il IL not too late for the editor 10 retract
the language"
he looked at DR.. Bell and Dr.Ben looked