The Washington bee., 1911-11-11

had upon a motion of William Reed,
who is a leading factor in opposition
to Doctor Willis, together with few
others, who, after Doctor Willis had
been elected by a large majority over
his opponent, a man by the name of
Taylor, college graduate, brought
suit in Equity to contest their cleo
ton of Doctor Willis on the ground
of fraud. This suit brought by
Messrs, WinslOw, William L. Pollard
and others, upon a hearing before
Justice Anderson, was promptly dis
missed upon an opinion that Willis
was fairly elected pastor of the
Church.
None of this perturbed or in any
way ruffled the spirit of this tall
inveterate and veritable war-like
character of Deacon Hawkins, be-
cause he knew he was IN the right
and the Judge confirmed his position
and views.
In defiance of the dismissal of the
Bill filed by the opposition of Rever-
end Willis and the opinion of Judge
Anderson, it is declared that these
same parties filed another bill against
others and have employed three at
torneys with the hope of ousting
Doctor Willis and the present officers
of the Church.
With charity to and malice toward
none, when the writer called upon
Deacon Hawkins, he refused to dis
cuss the matter, but simply said, IF
God be for us, who can be against
us"
The ladies in this church are to be
commended for their excellent work
and the support they have given the
present pastor and deacOns. The
membership of this church is beyond
all doubt among the most intelli-
gent and refined in the city. 1t is
a membership that any minister ought
to feel proud Some of the oldest
and most highly respected citizens
are connected with this church. 1t is
paying congregation, and nOtwith-
standing the fight that has been
waged against the present incumbent,
the church IS not at all embarrassed
financially. 1t is believed that the
present deacon board and the pas
tor, Rev Willis, will, by hard work
and perseverance, make the Vermont
Avenue Baptist Church one of the
greatest in this city. Deacon Haw-
kins is strong, because he Is honest
with his people They have conf
denCe in him No man is any more
| respected in the church than he IS
| He IS a man above reprOach, and il
was by his wise leadership and
Christian bearing that the church is
where it is today 1t is to be regret
| ted that any opposition to the present
regime should exist. This continual
fighting will eventually weaken the
church's influence
No church or organization can
| succeed without united action. The
memory of the late Geo. w. Lee Is
yet fresh in the minds Of the mem
bers of the Vermont Avenue Baptist
Church. There should be unity, sis
terly and brother1y love among the
members. If the majority vote
shows that the Rev Willis was elect
ed, and there IS no doubt that it does,
why then, should there be any di-
vision? It is to the interest of the
people to get together. The noble
women who fought the battle for
right and justice will have a monu-
ment erected to their memory. I'm
der the wise leadership of Deacon
Hawkins, the Vermont Avenue Bap-
tist Church will be a great factor in
the religious world
The most remarkable thing at this
time Is the large increase Of member
shin in the church, and to this end
this well-known church worker.
Deacon Hawkins, is working with his
co-worllers The apparent division
in the church has not effected the
church in the least. Many of those
who left the church are anxious to
return, and will no doubt return. Al
ready preparations are in view look
ing to the enlarging of this now
great church edifce. Lots of i'm
provements will be made under the
administration of this present mem
bership.