Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-01-11
SAVANNAH MINISTER'S
FAVOR DEATH PENALTY
Say Let RiChCSOn Die For His
u Crime

savannah, Ga, Jan. 10.-In the eyes
Of fine Baptist ministers of Savannah
,ho Confession of the Rev. Clarence v
n Richeson, former pastor of the
bridge stamped the prison-minister
no any other man who has committed
benious crime The announcement
that he has been sentenced to the
deatb chair came as no surprise. They
all declare that Richeson should re-
ceiye the full force of the laws pen
aItv. that he should be shown no con-
sideration because he is a minister Il
the Gospel
This will have no lasting bad effect
mon the cause of Christianity" said
the Rev. DR.. w. L. Pickard, pastor CT
the First Baptist Church Every
man must stand or fall by his own
doings There was one Judas among
the twelve Of course Richeson's
crime will hurt Christianity to some
extent, but with the thinking, thought
full. people this unfortunate affair will
not materially retard the cause of
Christianity.
Can't Hurt Christianity.
a think the hand of the law should
fail upon every person, whether min
lister, priest or potentA--. i he fall
Sd short of his duty and commit sin. This
case is greatly to be deplored; many
of our religious fabric, but on the
whole the shortcomings of an individ-
ual cannot permanently hurt Christi
anity. 1t is one of the great things
about the Protestant church that it
Tepudiates its ministers that sol
wrong. In my opinion the wearers Of
the cloth who fall should be even more
severely dealt with than the ordinary
criminal who has not had equal ad-
yantages as they.
q don't believe any man should De
shielded by the church. If he commits
sin the church should be the last in
stitutiOn to stand between him and
the administration of Justice. If
Richeson is guilty, and if he is deserv-
ing of mercy, that is a matter be-
tween him and his God"
Should Get Death Penalty.
IF Richeson made the confession he
8 IS purported to have made and if he is
guilty of the crime of which he is ac-
cused, | don't think anything short uf
the death penalty should be imposed
upon him." said the Rev. John s.
Wilder pastor of the South Side Bap-
fist Church. IF he ruined that young
girl and was then instrumental in |
causing her death, he should die for
his crime.
No, this case will not hurt the
cause of Christianity Christianity is
founded upon too solid foundation
for the misdeeds or shortcomings of a !
single individual to more than temper
arlly shock some who may not oe |
hrmly founded in the faith. In the
minds Of those who had perfect faith |
IN this individual minister, those |
whose lives have been touched by him
ana his influence, these developments |
VIII be a great shock. But they will |
recover if they are thoughtful, reas-
onlng Teonle, and they will be just as
good Caristians as before.
fhUFpb Nnt Hill
People in this day and time do not
mold the church responsible for the |
acts Of individual representatives of
lhe church. AS I have said in my
sermons we have rotten preachers, |
and rotten church members. but Our
'hHst is different; ministers and
church members may go wrong, but
our Christ is abiding. That is why |
say the people look more to Christ
lnan to individual ministers. Individ- |
uaIs are fallible and liable to fall ct |
any time, but it is inconceivable to |
mink that Christ could err.
II Richeson be guilty he should pay
The penalty. Such crimes as he com
united must be stopped His confess
son does not relieve him of guilt. and |
Sho"Id not save him from penalty of
me law The fact that he is min
'SleF could not save him from the
same measure of punishment as any
o'heT person who sins"