The Savannah morning news., 1904-12-05
APPEALS FOR PROTECTION
OF HIS CHURCH.
REV. Richard Bright's Charge
Against LawIess White Boys.


Against LawIess White Boys.
Editor Morning News: AS a law
abiding and orderly citizen, 1 would
like to ask question relative to the
disregard of law and order. What
would be the result if gang of negro
boys were to open, during the serv-
ices the doors of the Roman Catholic
Cathedral, the Jewish Synagogue,
Christ Church. or any leading white
church, and boot and jeer the Worship
pers?
During my rectorship, of more than
a decade, of St. Stephens Church for
negroes in this city, 1 have had no
greater trial to contend with than the
malicious and persistent disturbance
OF our religious services, by vicious
white boys, who congregate in the
square, in front of the church. To
enumerate all their lawlessness toward
the congregation and myself is we'll
nigh impossible. Recently, however,
the gang" threw stones in the church
while the sexton was cleaning it, and
this Sunday afternoon during religious
services they opened the church door
and hooted the worshippers.
Now, / ask in the name of God, in
the name of law and order is this
right? Is it just?
Years ago-not so Tonga negro con-
gregation in this city situated in
desirable quarter, was SO emotional in
it's devotions that the white residents
in. the neighborhood made a motion
that the church be moved. 1t was
promptly carried, and the church was
moved. Here at Habersham and Har-
ris streets, is congregation of Wellbe-
haved, orderly negroes, whose devo-
tions disturb no one in the neighbor-
hood, whose pastor instills into young
and old the principles of law and order,
And yet in face of the fact that we
are orderly and lawabiding, our serv-
ices are continually being disturbed
and our property defaced by hoodlums.
To-day to when undue emphasis and
prominence are given to the slightest
disorderliness on the part of negroes
is it not heartrending to think that
a congregation of well-behaVed among
them are subjected to such outrageous
treatment by white boys whose SUI
perior civilization ought to teach them
differently.
What incentive is there for a negro
minister to be lawabiding himself?
What encouragement is there for him
to insist that those whom he leads
shall be likewise, if members of the
ligious services, deface the church prop
erty, and threaten him with bodily
harm. with impunity. If wiser coun-
sci had not prevailed during these
years that we have been (and are
still being) disturbed. no one knows
what might have been the consequence.
One of the best windows in the church
has been shattered by thees young van
dals; at Christmas they make their
huge bonfire in the plat in front of it,
even tearing up the wooden posts put
down to protect the sidewalks. How
can any set of men live in peace and
good will with their fellows who are
determined that they shall not cele-
brate religiously the birth of the Ma
zarene; or continue to sing his praises
during the year in peace? Surely there
must be-indeed there are some god
fearing, fearless and righteous men
and women of the opposite race in the
city whose consciences are not dead
to truth and justice, and who will
WELD their influence in behalf of this
law abiding and orderly congregation.
Very respectfully.
Richard Bright,
Rector ST. Stephens Church, Haber-
sham and Harris streets.