Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1913-03-19
APrEAI TO THE wHurE pEop1E.
New Galilee Baptist Church Calls for
Aid In Rebuilding,

Bolton, March 14.-Editor Keowee
Courier: Will you favor me with.
space in your paper for the following
article?
To the White Christian Churches
and White Citizens of the Town Of
notwithstanding:
This address may, to many of you,
be a little surprise, especially when
learning that it is from a negro about
whom you know but little. But / am
a negro citizen Of the town Of Bel
ton, and have been, with the excep-
ton OF ten years, for more than 40
years, or since a small boy. Any one
wishing to know more fully about
me, l refer you to Col. d. A. Geer,
eX-mayor; j. II. Horton, or the pres
ent mayor, j.. K. Clement, a man who
has known me ever since | was a
boy.
One year ago the New Galilee Bap-
list church of your town rendered to
N"i' w 10 pulpit dS DdSLOI,
which was accepted, after due con-
sideration. Khave served the church
as best l could under the circum-
stances, but we are laboring under
one great disadvantage, and hat is
our house OF worship is far too small
to accommodate the congregations
that assemble there in good weather,
to say nothing of the uncomfortable
condition Of the house. At one time
we decided TO repair the present
house in the hope that that would for
the time meet the keenly-felt need;
but having had it inspected by one
Of the leading white contractors of
your town, he says that it would be
a waste of time and money to under
take such "a job, so it remains for us
to stay where we are and suffer all
the Ill consequences, or to tear down
and build another, using as much of
the old house as may be fit in build
ing the ley one The church has
decided to pursue the latter course,
and In so deciding we realize our in
ability to put up the kind Of house
needed for actual use as well as to
put up n that would in some meas
ure do credit to your fast-growing
town.
feel a profound interest in the
welfare of the community and wish
to do what l can for the general up
lift OF my people, but 1t is not posi-
Bile for me to do much in the pres
ent hampered condition; and when
taking into account the size of the
membership and their poverty
stricken condition, 1 am constrained
to ask myself the question, shall I
remain here at a waste of time as
well as a waste OF energies, trying to
do the bidding Of the Lord, or would
1t be more pleasing to Him to give
up the work and go where my pow
ers might be used to better advant-
age? Between these two extremes
| hesitated for some time, but after
praying and thinking over the situa-
ton, from every viewpoint, it was
made plain to my mind that If the
latter course were followed it would
show weakness on my part as a man,
as well as betray in me a lack of
faith ia the assurance given by our
common Lord and Master. So, my
hope being inspired by the conf
dence entertained in the little church,
and faith in the generous heart Of the
public, l decided to remain, and by
the help Of God improve the relig-
ious facilities of the church and the
colored people generally of the town;
and with this decision came the con-
%clusion to appeal to our white friends
to help us in raising the required
amount to start the work. This be
ing done, with the reasonable indul-
gence offered, I have no fear in say
ing that the members will pay for it.
Bro. Gadsden and the members gene
rally have great respect and conf
dence in the white friends Of Wal
halla, and l am appealing to you
CD Because you stand committed,
by Divine injunction, to aid in giving
the Gospel to all races and nations.
CD Because of your great ability
and knowledge of the important part
that 3 good church plays IL carrying
out this great command.
CD Because a good church exerts