The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1909-04-28
BIBLE CLASS AR0USEs
C0L0RED FOLKS IRE

The following resolutions were Of
fered at meeting held at the First
Baptist church (colored) touching up.
IN the controversy over the formation
Of Bible study class at the colored
peoples library
Whereas. Tile Excelsior club OF
Guthrie, Okla, went around some
time since among the citizens the,eoi
md solicited means fyr the phSpoae
As they said OF purchasing property
and establishing library for the pub
ic: and
Whereas. After they had succeeded
n ralsing a sufficient AMOUNT of money
they purchased q certain piece Of prop
erly mi rhe city Of Guthrie and had
| lltaeedelt1 Il themselves (the ExcAlslof
club as their individual property, ln-
stead Of 10 q board ofttrustces tQ be
held IN trust for the public: ana
Wheraas They hive given the city
0f Guthrie q perpetual lease Of part
oi the property In order 10 secure IN
annual appropriation OF o sum not less
than twelve hundred dollars, which
was unnecessary If II we're public
property and for q charitable purpose.
as we think the city should make ap
preparation to such Institutions with
IN is limits without ieaslng them ant
SO on; end
whereas The library was estsh
llshed Ior the secular training ana
Improvement Of the people, especially
the young, aud not for their religious
advancement or their eyangellzation;
aud
Whereas, The librarian cf the ",
brary has by the authority Of he boanl
let managers thereof and with the as
slsiance OF others lnaugurated auu
Is now conducting Bible class aud
other religious exercises IN the library
building on each and every Sabbath
evening, contrary to the purpose OF
is establishment. and against the win
advice and wishes OF an the pastors
and churchea Of the city. aud Of q
majority OF It's citizens at large: and
Whereas, The attention or enc bharu
'of managers Of the library ha2 heel,
called TO these religious exercines. al
gi0Iative Of the primary design Of the
library, with the respectful renussl
0 have them discontinued. ana they
efused 70 do so. therefore be- il
Resolved First That We asapnr0ve
II the action Of the said club in hayus
he property decided 10 Itself. and de-
nand thai they as boon aa possible
onyey title Of property 10 The board
of managers, 10 be bg them held ln
trust fof the public
Second That unless said convey,
anee is thus made we dlsaoproge of
The action Of lhe city IN leasing ami
lppropriatng such an enormous sum
Of money for the maintenance Of prl
vate property and iis owners. and chat
we will 10 all IN our power 10 have
he act abrogated. TO raise means and
establish a library upon legas and right
principles; and 70 thereafter Induce
me city 70 make annual approprla
lions 20 the same.
Third That the board Of managers
{ the library be and they are hereby
laperallYely requested 10 have those
eiigiQus exercises discontinued. as
hey are foreign to aad piolatIte o.
he original design Of lhe institution.
& as they say. L be public child. nv.
.ag on charity
Fourth That # these thlnga are
lot done a once. an Of our support
nd patronage are hereby forever with.
| l.Rwn from the said library.
Firth. That the board of managers
{ the library, the eltysnlliclala and
be city papers b furnihsed d copy
t these resolutions, with the request
9 publish the same for the lnlorma.
Ion OF the people at large.