Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-01-23
BAPTISTS WRATHY.
Recent Attack on Their PastOr-Stir-
ring ResolutiOns-EchOe From the
Emancipation Celebration.
. f.ASssScs se=N-a
Suffolk, Va, Jan. 1904

Suffolk, Va, JAM, 1904.
We, your committee appointed by the
First Baptist Church of Suffolk. Va.
for the purpose of drafting suitable res.
olutions expressive of the indignant
feeling brought about by the very bitter
antagOnistic and slanderous remarks de-
hvered on Emancipation Day, Jan LIST,
1904, In Macedonia A. M. E. Church by
Jas. III. Hayes, Secretary and Attorney of
the Negro Industrial and Educational
Association of Virginia, against the
colored Baptist ministry of the State in
general and Rev. w. w. Gaines, d. D.,
Ia particular, after a careful and judic-
1ous consideration of all the facts in
this very unpleasant matter, do beg
leave to submit the following:
1st. Whereas, Jas. II. Hayes, a repre-
sentative and counsel of the Negro In.
dustrial and Educational Association of
Virginia, did, in course of his speech
delivered on Emancipation Day, SLAM
derously abuse and insult the colored
Baptists by false accusation and misrep.
resentation impressing the people with
the idea that their leaders were traitor
Gus and false to their best interest, urg-
them not to support or give encourage
ment to such men.
2nd. And, whereas, he personally
named, abused and slandered Rev. W.
w. Gaines, pastor of the First Baptist
Church, as being an enemy of the peo-
pie, untrue to their interest and there
fore unfit to lead them.
Bird. And, whereas, the Emancipation
service and the Negro Indus. & Educa-
tlonal Asso. areI separate and distinct
and bear no legal relation one TO the
other thus far, the president or any 9TH
er officer; person or persons of the In
dustrial and Educational Association to
hold such a celebration, provide place of
meeting, print bills and insert the
names Of officers without the consent of
the people of the community is unwar-
ranted and is intentiona usurpation of
authority.
4th. And, whereas, we believe and
know that it is the duty of Rev. w. W.
Gaines or any other pastor to advise
and lead his people any way he may
deem necessary if he sincerely believe
it to be to their best interest and is full
ly justified by the authority in him
vested.
Therefore, be it resolved, That it is
the sense of this meeting as Christian
and intelligent people. we unalterably
and positively enter our protest against
such uncharitable action and condemn
the remarks made by Jas. II. Hayes as
being slanderous insulting, and Cow
ardly.
Be it resolved further, That we stamp
the impress of our disapproval Of
such attempts to lead the people to dis
loyalty to true leaders, and that the col
ored Baptist ministry be advised of, the
true purpose of Jas. III. Hayes, to sow
seeds of discord and strife, to create op-
position and trouble between the pastor
and his people.
Be it finally resolved, That we believe
that it is the highest duty of man to
contend for freedom and citizenship at
whatever cost, but we condemn the
methods used by this organization to
accomplish that end.
II. H. HINES,
B. f. JOHNSON,
J. A. ESTES,
n. A. TwITTY,
Committee.
On motion the above resolutions were
received and adopted, and the commit
tee was authorized to have them pub.
lished.
DAVID JORDAN,
Acting Church Clerk.