The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-12-22
TUESDAY. DECEMBER p, 1908.
IN DEFENSE OF DIR. MASSEE.

~1S ON-
which criticised Rev. ]. c. Massee. o.
Raleigh, on the two occasions OF hiS
sntemperate remarks, once seVera
months ago from the pulpit OF M
church and again last week on Inc
floor OF the Baptist state convention
an Charlotte. we give below an editorla.
from The Times, of Raleigh. in his de-
sence. This we do in justice especially
10 those OF our readers who are OF the
Baptist faith and generally that al! OF
our readers may see what Mr.. Mas
sees friends say in his defense
The remarks IF The Times as to the
merciIess bounding Mr.. Massee has
received since he came to the state
we do not take as applying or Intended
10 apply to The Messenger. We gave
an account OF each affair at the time
of ats occurrence and condemned the
Language used. We AVE nothing more
"a do with the matter. If the cOngre-
cation OF the Baptist Tabernacle in
Raleigh wish to keep Mr.. Massee as
their pastor. that is their affair, not
OUTS or any body elSe's. We cannot
see. though. how criticising Mr.. Mas
see lis - reflection upon the church
which retains him as its pastor or CT
the board Of trustees of which he Is a
member.
Mr.. Massee is n man Of and
education. He should know n mean
ing OF the words he uses in 4 sermon
or public debate. His first experience
should have put him on his guard as to
the language used in discussing the
original matter or any circumstances
growing out OF it. His language on
both occasions was to say the least
of it. very unfortunate. and his words
AL chosen
We do not believe that Mr.. Massee
wants to muzzle the press that he may
wrong and false views" but
we think ne went entirely 90 far III
his declaration regarding the license
of the press. He did not make any
distinction in his charge. He included
the entire press of the state He VIZ
tuaIly charged it with taking V
AGE of its liberty of speech to do a
great WIOllS- I1dd Ht DSC44 NhO |
of ..merciless bounding by any paper
Or set of papers in the state he should
have made specific charges and not ar
raigned the entire press OF the state
The press Of this state is. as q Tu!e.
conservative and fair. 1t does noc
make "a habit of attacking any n
needlessly in their public II private
areer but when in the opinion OF the
editors OF the state the conduct Of any
public individual needs criticism they
do not fail to do what they conceive to
be their duty.
The Times article is as follows:
The position of this paper in regard
TO the utterances of Mr.. Massee is vel
known ny its readerS We printed his
first words under protest. for We 1elt
me was giving expressions to Ideas he
had not well matured. In reference to
his words in the convention in Char
hottie. we thought he made a mistake to
revive the incident at all. and so stated
an Yesterdays Times. But We do not
propose to allow a man who is eSard
ed as Il Christian gentleman and re-
famed as pastor of one OF the best am
most progressive churches in the city
of Raleigh, a emb of the board of
trustees OF the It'll emale uuiV3r-
Esfty. q member of the Baptist mission
and Sunday school board OF the state,
a man. though he M have made Il
or even two mistakes. put
down as one whOSe heart is set or do
ing evil. continually. We do not be
aieEe that Mr.. Massee desires to in
yoke the strong arm Of h government
order that he and others like hin.
may advocate wrong and false views"
TNsd no ,i- - +hncn words p0a1 NV |
real meaning. their awful signif-
canoe? The editor of the News anil
Observer. with all of his versatility CT
expression and his of lin-I
Euage. could hardly make a m.re
charge against a aw-abidicE |
citizen. much less q preacher Of the
gospel. Such 4 purpose N the part Of i
HI. Massee. If true. is not only wicked !
but Is p~remeditated and deliberate II
true. he is not only not worthy to BE
the pastor Of one Of the largest and
most aggressive churches in the state.
but much less does he deserve to nold
a place on the board of truSeeS Of the
Baptist female university and mem
bership in the board Of missions and
Sunday schools of the state. We say
agan. that in our Judgment. Mr.. MaSsee
has expressed himself ~imprudentiy,
but We say with equal emphasis. that
does not deserve the merclleSS
which he has received SluCa
cana to the state. Such treatment;
is not only wrong to Mr.. Nassee. butt
1t is a reflection upon the church wnica
retains him as its pastor. and to Jh5
board Cf trustees which honors him
with membership M 70 the BaCtist
state convention. which has RECENTLY
elected him 10 a place in the hignAs.
councils of its deliberation. On the
other hand. if Mr. MaSsee a a just
although he may have mads
q mistake in his remedy. he has not.
by this forfeited his right, to be treat
e IS a Christian gentleman. And moth
ing short Of II is will satisfy a just and
discriminating public"